fAQ's for new patients

1. Why should I see a dentist?
2. How often should I visit the dentist?
3. Are you taking new patients?
4. What happens at my first visit?
5. What do you offer for the anxious patient?
6. What should I bring with me for my first visit?
7. How should I prepare my child for his/her first visit?
8. What should I look for when choosing a dentist?
9. How will I pay for my treatment? And do you accept my dental insurance?

Q: Why should I see a dentist?
A: Why should I see a dentist?
Your teeth are an important part of your body and keeping them clean helps keep your mouth and your body healthy. By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet, and visiting the dentist regularly, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life. Detecting any dental problems that you might have early enough will save you time, money, and unnecessary loss of teeth.

Q: How often should I visit the dentist?
A: Most people find that it is valuable to have a checkup and cleaning at least every six months.
But my teeth feel fine!
OK, but how do they look? A smile can be the most eye-catching feature of a face. With dentistry's many advances, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, missing, or misshapen teeth. Along with regular oral care and checkups, Dr Antonious offers many choices that can help you smile with confidence, including:

• Professional teeth whitening
• Fillings that mimic the appearance of natural teeth
• Tooth replacement

Q: Are you taking new patients?
A: YES. Because our patients love us they often refer their friends and family because they want to see them receive the same level care. We are proud of the confidence our patients have placed in us by being a referral based practice.

Q: What happens at my first visit?
A: In order to treat each and every patient, as an individual with unique dental needs it is vital to completely assess their current oral health. We perform an oral cancer screening, we look at muscles and joints that open and close the mouth. We will look at your teeth, cheeks, tongue, gums and bone that hold the teeth in (the peridontium) we also check old fillings and restorations. Constant pressure from chewing, grinding, or clenching can cause them to wear away, chip, or crack.

We also take photos and x-rays when necessary. With this information we can determine the type of treatment that is right for you. Please click here to view your first visit section.

Q: What do you offer for the anxious patient?
A: We realize that even though dental care has come, a long way in terms of patient comfort there are still those with concerns and fears. Dental care should not be an unpleasant experience so we provide a full array of options for those patients. We offer several techniques to help you relax so please ask us about the different methods we offer. Please click here to view our section on anxious patients.

Q: What should I bring with me for my first visit?

• Make a list of questions to ask our office, so you don't forget anything on the day of your appointment. This includes any concerns you have, or oral problems you've been experiencing.
• It is also important to bring up any fears you may have about dental treatment. This information will help the doctor select the safest and most affective method of treatment for you.
• Bring a list of the names of your physicians, their phone numbers and a list of names, doses, and frequency of any medications you are currently taking – whether prescription or over-the-counter products.
• Your completed new patient forms.
• If you have dental insurance, remember to bring your insurance card with you.
• Your smile!

Q: How should I prepare my child for his/her first visit?                                                
A: Please click here to view our section on Tips for Parents

Q: What should I look for when choosing a dentist?
A: You may wish to consider several dentists before making your decision. During your first visit, you should be able to determine if this is the right dentist for you. Consider the following:

• Does the dentist have a fine reputation and a good standing in the community?
• Does the dentist attend regular meetings to continually upgrade himself and his practice with the newest and latest techniques, and approaches to dentistry?
• Does the staff appear to be knowledgeable and friendly?
• Are the office hours convenient?
• Is the office easy to get to and close by?
• Does the office appear to be clean and orderly?
• Does the office appear to be well equipped and technologically advanced?
• Does the dentist explain techniques for good oral health?
• Is information about cost presented to you before treatment is scheduled?
• Is the dentist a member of the ADA (American Dental Association) amongst other   reputable organizations?

How will I pay for my treatment? And do you accept my dental insurance?
A: Please click here to view our section on Financials