Dental appointment FAQs

Great question. As a new Aspen Dental patient, here’s a quick overview so you know what to expect at your first appointment. It will include a consultation, dental exam and may include dental X-rays. Your Aspen Dental care team will answer all of your questions, go over your treatment plan and pricing options, and help you schedule future appointments. 

As a new patient, you can schedule an appointment at aspendental.com by clicking on the ‘Schedule Appointment’ button at the top of the website. Alternatively, you can give us a call at 1-800-277-3633 to make your first appointment.

Another option is to visit your local Aspen Dental office. To find your office use the search feature on our website and enter your city, state or zip code to locate your nearest Aspen Dental office.

If you’re an existing patient, you can schedule an appointment by calling your local Aspen Dental office.

If you need to cancel your appointment at Aspen Dental, simply call your local Aspen Dental office and let them know. They will assist you with the cancellation process.

If you need to reschedule your appointment at Aspen Dental, no worries. If you are a new patient, you can reschedule online, or reschedule your appointment by contacting your Aspen Dental office to notify them that you need to move your appointment. You can find their contact information on the website or in any previous communications you received from them.

It’s also best practice to ask your office about their rescheduling policy. It’s better to ask upfront than to be surprised later.

To give you the best dental care possible, your Aspen Dental dentist will first perform an initial exam. After they have a fuller picture of your oral health, they’ll create a treatment plan for you and can schedule your appointment for a dental cleaning.

Call or visit your Aspen Dental office to contact an oral surgeon. They'll help you take care of everything. It’s important to also note that not every Aspen Dental location has an oral surgeon. Call your local office to find out if they have an oral surgeon at that location.

The best way to schedule an appointment for a root canal is to contact your local Aspen Dental office. To see an endodontist, you will first need a referral from a dentist.

The duration of your dental hygiene appointment is dependent on your oral health status and the presence of any oral infection or gum inflammation. The exact length can vary based on your oral health status, the presence of any dental issues and how thorough the cleaning process needs to be.

Yes, it’s important to maintain optimal oral health during pregnancy. Before your first visit, you must get a release form from your primary care doctor or OB/GYN indicating that you can visit a dental office. If your OB/GYN and you are comfortable with getting dental x-rays, we can do that for you - we use lead apron protection over the neck, chest, and abdomen for all patients. If you are having pain, your dentist will most likely recommend an x-ray. Research has indicated that it is very safe to visit the dentist for regular care in the 2nd trimester. If you need emergency dental care, call us regardless of your trimester.

Of course, each Aspen Dental dentist is fully licensed in the state where they practice.

Yes, of course. Please let us know ahead of time if you would like us to make any special arrangements for you.

At Aspen Dental, the cost of emergency dental appointments is generally determined by the specific treatment needed. We recommend you reach out to your local Aspen Dental office directly to get the best estimate. They can also offer payment resources and third-party financing options.

Pricing for services and procedures vary from office to office and state to state. Once you see your dentist and have a treatment plan, you will be provided with detailed information about costs, financing alternatives and insurance. As always, we do our best to find a price and a payment option that’s best for you.

For more information, please see our Pricing & Offers section.

Aspen Dental does not accept Medicaid. We do, however, accept most other insurance plans. We also offer a range of flexible and affordable third-party payment options. For more information on insurance and financing, please click here. Or contact your local Aspen Dental office and they can assist you. 

Yes, you have options. Aspen Dental dentists and staff strive to make dental care available to everyone. To start, the Aspen Dental Peace of Mind Promise® provides you with a clear and detailed estimate on the cost of your treatment plan in writing, so you know what to expect.

We also pledge to keep our prices as low as possible. Each office accepts a variety of third-party financing options for your convenience. For more detailed information on financing options, call your local Aspen Dental office and they’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Your insurance company website has likely provided a listing of all the dentists within our organization, rather than a specific list by location. Each Aspen Dental office works with a number of insurance providers in order to help make dental care accessible for you.

If you routinely see a heart doctor, please consult with them to see if it is necessary for pre-medication. If your cardiologist requires you to take an antibiotic before your appointment, please take it an hour before your scheduled appointment.

The first visit for a new patient usually consists of taking X-rays, an examination by your dentist and a consultation with the office manager to get all your questions answered.

IV sedation is typically used only by an oral surgeon. Generally, the dentists will use a numbing gel or local anesthetic during treatments if needed. Oral sedation may also be available, depending on your medical history. Be sure to discuss this with your dentist to see if you're a good candidate.

For other tips on how to manage dental anxiety, please click here.

Novocain is a local anesthetic used to numb only a particular area of your mouth. Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” is the lightest form of conscious sedation. It’s used to minimize anxiety–you’ll still be awake and somewhat aware, but it can help you to relax and feel like you’re floating. Intravenous, or IV sedation, is a sedation that is used to minimize dental anxiety. This type of sedation will help you fall asleep for part or all of the procedure and you’ll most likely not remember the procedure.