Your First Visit

Your first visit to Ashly Cothern, DDS is a fantastic chance for us all to get to know each other. It’s an opportunity for our team to listen to any concerns you have about your oral health. Each new-patient visit is a two-hour appointment consisting of one hour with the dentist and one hour with a dental hygienist.

During your appointment, we will do a full evaluation, including necessary digital X-rays. These provide clearer images and reduced radiation exposure compared with traditional X-rays. Another benefit is that results are available immediately. Digital X-rays help our team to see what’s happening behind the scenes with your mouth, teeth, and gums. We will evaluate bone density, tooth roots, nerves, and sinuses. Dr. Cothern recommends full-mouth X-rays every five years so we can spot any small problems before they become major dental issues. Periodic digital X-rays will also help us to ascertain current bone and tooth health.

Our team will then discuss any significant findings from your dental evaluation. We will also chat about your overall health and oral health goals to recommend an ideal treatment plan to help you achieve them.

Prophylaxis is standard during first visits as long as the teeth and gums are healthy. This involves professional cleaning of the teeth to remove tartar and plaque buildup and to help prevent future cavities. If you have active gum disease and need periodontal therapy, prophylaxis will not be done. Instead, we’ll reappoint you to begin periodontal therapy with our dental hygiene team.