What to Expect at Our Dental Office

Are you getting ready for your first dental visit in years? Have you scheduled a new procedure that you’re unfamiliar with? Everyone likes to have an idea of what to expect before they climb into the dentist’s chair. At Callahan & Klein, we value patient education. We aim to empower all of our patients to take control of their oral health by helping them understand what goes into dental care.

How to Make a Dentist Appointment for the First Time

If you’re new to our office, head over to our appointment request form to schedule your appointment. You can request an appointment time and let us know what kind of services you need. If you’ve never visited us before, you’ll also need to fill out a new patient form so that we can learn about your dental history. If you have any questions while filling this out, feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help!

Patient Rights

Included in our patient forms are documents related to HIPAA privacy rights and health record use. We value your privacy and always treat your health records with the utmost care.

We believe that every patient has the right to high quality care. We also believe in every person’s right to understand their own health. That means that we will take the time to walk you through all procedures.

At Callahan & Klein, you can expect care that leaves you happy, healthy, and comfortable. And you’ll always understand exactly what’s going on!

What to Expect at The Dentist

Wondering what to expect from your appointment? If you’re coming in for your first appointment with us, we’ll perform a thorough exam. This will help us create a plan for continued care.

Here’s what you can expect from an initial exam:

Tooth examination
Gum disease evaluation
Diagnostic x-rays
Oral cancer screening

If you’re a returning patient, your specific experience depends on the kind of appointment you have scheduled. Here’s what you can expect from some of our most popular services:

Fillings

It usually takes just one appointment to place a filling. This process begins with the removal of any decay from the tooth in question. The tooth is then cleaned in preparation for the filling.

Depending on the extent of decay, your tooth might be sensitive or slightly painful. In these cases, your dentist might recommend a numbing shot or a numbing gel to make the experience more comfortable.

To learn more about what to expect at an appointment for a filling, read our page on composite fillings.

Dental Cleaning

Our dental cleanings are usually performed by one of our talented Registered Dental Hygienists. Each dental cleaning starts with calculus and tartar removal, which involves scraping the surface of the teeth and the area around the gum line. Your dental hygienist will also clean your teeth to remove plaque. Finally, they will polish your teeth to remove stubborn stains.

How long is a dental cleaning appointment? It depends on the amount of buildup on your teeth and the extent of your at-home dental care. If you brush regularly and get regular professional cleanings, your cleaning appointment should be relatively fast. If you haven’t had a cleaning in a while or struggle to maintain an at-home dental routine, your appointment might take longer.

An average dental cleaning takes about 30 minutes.

Managing Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety is a well-documented phenomenon, and it’s something that we help many of our patients overcome. If you’re concerned about your visit to our office, we can help you prepare and manage your anxiety. We always make sure that our patients know what will happen during their appointment. Before starting any procedure, we tell you exactly what we plan to do and what you can expect. But even when you know what’s coming, dental work can still be intimidating. That’s why our team is dedicated to creating a relaxing and welcoming environment. Our return patients agree that Doctors Callahan and Klein are kind, knowledgeable, and gentle. You’re in good hands — and if you’re still not convinced, our patient reviews will tell you why!

Visit Us Today!

Now that you know what to expect at the dentist, we hope you can schedule your next appointment with confidence. Whether you’re planning your first appointment at our office or coming back for a return visit, we’re eager to meet your dental needs. If you have more questions about our services, contact us today. We’re happy to talk with you about what you can expect from our team.