Your First Dental Visit
Because our first concern is for your long-term health, the goal for your first visit is to assess your dental health, target any potential problems that might rob you of that health, and communicate honestly with you about your dental condition and treatment options. Since many dental conditions do not exhibit symptoms until they are in an advanced stage, and because the signs of disease such as decay and bone loss are not apparent to the naked eye, we will need diagnostic x-rays to determine if these conditions exist. All dental examinations performed by Dr. Payne include an examination of your teeth and existing restorations, your occlusion (bite) and your periodontal health.
An oral cancer screening is also performed during the examination. Your plaque index, which indicates the amount of plaque and tartar on the surface of your teeth is noted. Your initial examination will also involve the charting off all existing conditions and restorations, baseline readings of periodontal attachment and bone levels, and a determination of the type of cleaning required.
If your first visit is due to a dental emergency we will determine the best course of action with you, provide emergency treatment and, if our schedule does not allow time, schedule for a more complete evaluation and definitive treatment at a later date. We do our best to see all emergencies the day you call. Dr. Payne also serves as one of the dentists on call to McPherson Memorial Hospital's emergency care.