“I’ve never experienced such a thorough exam before!” “No other doctor listened as carefully!” “I wish someone had realized my bite was off before.” We hear all kinds of things after a patient’s first visit, and we love that we make our guests so happy with our care. It is our job to get you healthy, after all.
Your first visit starts with a thorough exam, beginning with your bite.
We check your chewing muscles for soreness, listen for clicks and pops in your jaw, and perform a load test to make sure your internal structures have no problems or pain. What we are looking for is harmony in your bite. We document any teeth that are hindering proper movement or sliding into each other, and how your teeth fit together.
Then we look for abfractions – chips along the gumline that indicate clenching or grinding. Of course we check your gums for any sign or infection, and your teeth for decay and signs of wear.
Once the exam is complete, Dr. Widener will talk with you about his discoveries. We spend plenty of time listening to you and educating you as well. Together, we can come up with a treatment plan, if necessary, and decide on the best course of action to get you back to ideal health. We never rush you or pressure you into getting care you don’t want or need. Instead, we show you the options and let you decide how you want to proceed.