Scheduled for a general dental visit? Whether you’re here for a preventative cleaning or a treatment like a root canal, learn what to expect and how we provide comprehensive care for all of your oral health needs.
With complete care under one roof, your Aspen Dental care team help protect all aspects of your oral health with routine checkups, cleanings and more. Get to know some of our services and what to expect along the way.
When you see us for a dental checkup visit, your appointment varies based on if you’re a new or current patient. As a new patient, you’ll get a full exam that includes X-rays, a complete oral health checkup and a discussion around any concerns you may have about your dental health. From there, your dentist will create a custom care plan designed for your needs.
Learn more about dental checkups >
During dental checkups, your professional care team will thoroughly assess your mouth to determine the type of dental cleaning or hygiene treatment you need for great oral health. Depending on your needs, your treatment may include:
An enhanced oral cancer screening using fluorescence technology
Periodontal charting to monitor your gum health
Removal of plaque and stains
Tooth polish, floss and fluoride treatment
A personalized home care plan to maintain your smile
Afterward, your dental hygienist will discuss any recommended follow-up steps before scheduling your next visit.
Learn more about preventative cleanings >
When you come for your initial periodontal treatment, your care team will apply a numbing agent to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure. After, they’ll perform non-surgical scaling your teeth and root planing to remove infectious bacteria or tarter above and below your gumline, and prevent further deterioration of the gums and bone supporting your teeth. Then, an antibiotic will be placed below your gumline to help control the infection.
For home care, you may be prescribed an antimicrobial rinse and toothpaste, a power toothbrush and detailed post-care instructions to promote healing. After your initial treatment, a 3-month checkup will be scheduled to closely monitor and provide any necessary treatments to maintain your gum health.
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Learn what to expect for common restorative treatments and how your local Aspen Dental team keeps you comfortable with complete care under one roof.
Tooth fillings
What to expect at your tooth filling appointment:
When you come in for a tooth filling, your dentist will prep the area around your tooth with local anesthetic so you’re comfortable during your procedure. Then they’ll use a dental drill to remove the decayed portion of the tooth, leaving behind a clean cavity. Once the cavity is been cleared of any debris or bacteria, they’ll shape it, prepare it for the filling material and prepare the cavity. After the filling is place, your dentist will shape it to match your tooth and ensure your bite is properly aligned. Then they’ll polish the filling to smooth everything out and ensure it blends in seamlessly with the rest of the tooth structure. When they’re done, your dentist will check your bite to ensure it feels comfortable and natural.
What to expect after your procedure:
After your visit, you may experience sensitivity to cold when you bite down with the tooth or a mild toothache. These symptoms are common, but if they worsen or change, give your care team a call to discuss next steps.
For any other questions or concerns, your care team will review post-operation instructions with you to make sure you feel confident in what you’ll need and how to stay comfortable while healing. Learn more about tooth fillings today.
Crowns & bridges
What to expect for your first appointment:
Consultation and exam:
Your dentist will examine your teeth and discuss your treatment options.
They’ll evaluate the condition of your teeth and gums to determine which solution is best for you: a crown or bridge.
Preparation:
For a crown: Your dentist will prepare the tooth by removing a portion of its outer layer to make room for the crown.
For a bridge: If you're getting a traditional bridge, your adjacent teeth will be prepared similarly to receiving crowns.
If necessary, impressions or digital scans of your teeth will be taken to create a custom-fitted crown or bridge.
Temporary restoration:
While your permanent crown or bridge is being fabricated in a dental laboratory (which typically takes a couple of weeks), so your dentist may place a temporary restoration to protect the prepared tooth or teeth, or have you come in for your procedure once the permanent crown or bridge is ready.
This temporary restoration is usually made of acrylic and is not as durable as the permanent one.
To prepare your recommended solution, they’ll numb the area around the teeth that will be getting a crown or bridge, prep the tooth or teeth with drilling to remove bacteria or infection and shape it to get it ready for its temporary crown or bridge.
Final placement:
Once your permanent crown or bridge is ready, you'll return to the dental office for its placement.
Your dentist will remove the temporary restoration (if applicable) and check the fit and appearance of the permanent crown or bridge.
After ensuring a proper fit, the crown or bridge will be cemented into place using dental adhesive.
Adjustments and bite check:
Your dentist will make any necessary adjustments to ensure that your bite feels comfortable and natural with the new restoration.
They may also check your bite using special articulating paper to ensure that your teeth come together properly.
What to expect for your follow-up:
As your anesthesia wears off, it’s normal to feel discomfort or mild tenderness after your procedure.
Until you have your final restoration, avoid eating with that tooth and stick to soft to medium textured foods. Avoid sticky, creamy or crunchy food.
For any other questions or concerns, your care team will review post-operation instructions with you to make sure you feel confident in what you’ll need and how to stay comfortable while healing. Learn more about crowns and bridges today.
Root canals
What to expect at your root canal appointment:
Anesthesia: before starting the procedure, your dentist numb the area of your root canal site to minimize discomfort.
Access opening: once the area is numb, your dentist will create an opening in the crown of your tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals.
Cleaning and shaping: using small instruments called files, your dentist will carefully remove any infected or damaged pulp tissue from the pulp chamber and root canals. They will also shape the canals to prepare them for a filling.
Filling: after the canals are cleaned and shaped, they’ll be filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha to seal them off and prevent infection or contamination.
Final restoration: once your root canal is complete, your permanent restoration will be added to your tooth to strengthen it and restore its function and appearance. In some cases, a temporary filling may be placed in the opening of the tooth to protect it until your permanent restoration, like a crown, is ready and can be placed.
What to expect after your procedure:
As your anesthesia wears off, it’s normal to feel discomfort or mild tenderness after your procedure.
Until you have your final restoration, avoid eating with that tooth and stick to soft to medium textured foods. Avoid sticky, creamy or crunchy food.
For any other questions or concerns, your care team will review post-operation instructions with you to make sure you feel confident in what you’ll need and how to stay comfortable while healing. Learn more about root canals today.
Tooth extractions
What to expect at your tooth extraction appointment:
First, your dentist will numb the area of your extraction site to minimize discomfort.
Once your anesthesia has been applied, they’ll begin your procedure to extract the tooth or teeth causing you pain.
During your procedure, you may feel pressure, but not sharp pain, as your tooth or teeth are being extracted.
What to expect after your procedure:
As your anesthesia wears off, it’s normal to feel discomfort after your procedure.
You may or may not receive stitches. If you do, your care team will provide you care instructions for these.
You may experience bruising or swelling. If you do, ice the area outside of your mouth (against your cheek or jaw) and take any prescribed medication.
Within the first 24 hours, you may experience bleeding which is completely normal.
For any other questions or concerns, your care team will review post-operation instructions with you to make sure you feel confident in what you’ll need and how to stay comfortable while healing. Learn more about tooth extractions today.
Get ready for your big reveal. Restorative dental care visits transform your smile for a confident new you.
Brighten your day with a brighter smile. When you visit for a teeth whitening treatment, your care team will set your whitening goals with you before applying your treatment. After, you get any post-procedure guidance and documents you may need for at-home care.
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Ready to take your smile to the next level? When you come in for veneers, your dentist will discuss your goals, examine your teeth and determine if veneers are your best solution. From there, your care team will create your plan, you’ll choose materials and the number of teeth you want veneers for.
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Transform your smile from one tooth to all with dentures and implants. When you visit for a tooth replacement solution, your care team will conduct a consultation to assess your needs before creating a customized treatment plan made just for you.
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Learn more about implants >