Initial Visits for Adults

To provide you with appropriate individualized care, it is important that we spend time getting to know you. We need to understand your goals for your dental health. During your initial visit, you will have plenty of time to express concerns, ask questions and provide any information that you feel would help us to care for you better.

We will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your teeth, existing dental work, your gums, the tissue that lines your mouth, the bone that holds your teeth and the muscles that move your jaw joints.

We may ask your permission to take various types of x-rays and photographs.
We may also ask your permission to make study models of your teeth and records of your bite to evaluate how everything fits together.

For your initial comprehensive evaluation visit you can expect to be in our office for one to two hours. Duration of this appointment will depend upon the complexity of your existing oral health. Please make sure to allow sufficient time in your schedule so that we may complete the diagnostic procedures required.



Second Visits for Adults

Your second visit to the office includes a consultation with Dr. Ryan or Cindy. You will review the data collected from your dental x-rays, photos, gum exam, and tooth exam. Our goal is to help you to understand why your mouth is the way it is.

At this time you and the doctors will together develop an appropriate master plan for optimum long-term dental health.

The second visit is typically when you will have your professional tooth cleaning.


Initial Visits for Children

Southside Smiles is kid friendly! The initial dental visit for children includes:
  • - discussing how cavities and gum disease develop
  • - brushing and flossing instructions
  • - screening of the tissues of the mouth for infections and abnormalities
  • - checking for dental decay and gum disease
  • - evaluating wisdom teeth
  • - discussing braces and athletic mouth guards if appropriate

We may ask permission to take various x-rays and photographs.
Dental cleaning and fluoride treatment is usually accomplished at the initial appointment.
We will take time to discuss all of our findings with a parent or legal guardian. We will also address any questions or concerns about helping children on their way to a lifetime of dental health.



Please allow approximately one hour for initial appointments for children.

We will remind all our young Southside Smiles patients to stop at the treasure chest for a prize and to treat themselves to a sugar-free gumball!