What to expect at your first visit

If it's been years since your last dental visit, you're not alone. Dental anxiety, busy schedules, cost concerns and bad past experiences all keep people away from the dentist longer than they should. The good news: a first visit at Art Dental Studio is designed to be low-pressure, informative and — for most patients — much easier than they expected. Here's exactly what happens.

Before you arrive

Once you book your appointment, our team will:

• Call or email to confirm the appointment
• Our team reaches out to confirm your appointment details and answer any questions before you arrive
• Verify your dental insurance coverage if applicable, and let you know what's covered before you arrive
• Confirm which location (Miami, Cooper City or Kendall) and which doctor you're seeing

If you have recent X-rays, scans or treatment notes from another dentist, bring them. We can use them to avoid duplicate imaging.

When you arrive

Plan to arrive 10 minutes early for your first visit. You'll meet our front-desk team, finish any remaining paperwork, and we'll review your insurance. All three locations have a comfortable waiting area, free WiFi and complimentary water and coffee.

If you have dental anxiety, tell us at this point (or ideally when you book). We'll make adjustments — longer appointment, slower pace, breaks during treatment, options for sedation for longer procedures. Don't try to power through it; we'd much rather adjust the visit than have you white-knuckle it.

The clinical exam

For a typical new-patient visit, you'll spend about 60-90 minutes total. Here's the sequence:

1. Medical history review (5-10 min)

We review your medical history together and ask a few clarifying questions. Important things to mention:

• Any medications you're currently taking
• Allergies (especially to anesthesia or latex)
• Recent surgeries or hospitalizations
• Pregnancy (current or planned)
• Heart conditions, diabetes, autoimmune disorders
• Anything that's been bothering you orally

2. Digital X-rays (5-10 min)

Unless you've had recent X-rays elsewhere, we take a set of digital X-rays. These show what's not visible — cavities between teeth, infections at root tips, bone level changes, impacted teeth. Digital X-rays at Art Dental use far less radiation than the film-based X-rays of previous generations.

3. Photographs and intraoral scan (10 min)

We take intraoral photographs and (often) a 3D digital scan of your mouth. These become part of your permanent record and help us track changes over time. They also make it possible to do treatment planning and digital smile design later if you're interested in cosmetic work.

4. Periodontal evaluation (10 min)

A registered dental hygienist measures the pockets around each tooth — the space between gum and tooth — to assess gum health. Healthy pockets are 1-3 mm; deeper pockets indicate periodontal issues. We also check for bleeding, plaque levels and any visible inflammation.

5. Doctor's exam (15-20 min)

Your dentist examines:

• All visible tooth surfaces for decay, cracks or wear
• The bite (how your teeth come together)
• TMJ function (the jaw joints)
• Oral cancer screening (visual + tactile exam of soft tissues)
• Existing dental work (old fillings, crowns, etc.) for signs of failure
• Cosmetic considerations if you've mentioned an interest

6. Cleaning (30-45 min) — if scheduled

If your visit includes a cleaning, your hygienist removes plaque and calculus, polishes the teeth, and reviews your home care technique. If your gums show signs of periodontal disease, we may recommend a deeper cleaning at a future visit rather than the standard one — the deeper cleaning takes longer and may require local anesthesia.

7. Treatment plan discussion (10-15 min)

This is where we sit down with you (not just shout findings from across the room) and walk through:

• What we found
• What's urgent vs. what can wait
• What treatment options exist for each finding
• What your insurance will cover
• Realistic timing and cost for any recommended work

You leave with a written treatment plan and a clear understanding of priorities. There's no pressure to commit to anything that day — most patients schedule the next visit and consider their options for a few days at home.

What if something needs to be done?

The most common findings at a first visit are:

• Small cavities that can be filled in 30-60 minutes per visit
• Gum disease in early or moderate stages, requiring deeper cleaning
• Worn or chipped teeth that may benefit from veneers or crowns
• Old fillings nearing end of life that should be planned for replacement
• Missing teeth that have impact on adjacent teeth and bite

For most of these, we'll book the next appointment and provide a detailed estimate. If the issue is urgent (active infection, severe pain, structural failure), we'll discuss treating it the same day if possible.

What if I have anxiety about the visit?

Dental anxiety is extremely common — many adults experience it to some degree. We handle this with:

• Open communication: tell us what specifically scares you (the sounds, the needles, past bad experiences, the smell). Different fears have different solutions.
• Step-by-step explanation: we don't move forward without telling you what's about to happen.
• Breaks during treatment: raise your hand and we stop immediately.
• Comfort items: blankets, sunglasses to block the light, noise-canceling headphones.
• Sedation options: for longer or more complex procedures, oral or IV sedation can make the visit pass like a short nap.

If past dental experiences have been traumatic, please be honest with us. We work with patients who haven't been to a dentist in 10+ years — sometimes longer — and most leave saying the visit was much better than they expected.

What to bring

For your first visit at Art Dental Studio:

• Photo ID
• Insurance card (if applicable)
• List of current medications and dosages
• Recent X-rays or dental records (if you have them)
• Any specific questions or concerns you want addressed

What about cost?

The new-patient visit at Art Dental Studio includes the exam, digital X-rays and a routine cleaning. For questions about insurance coverage, please contact us directly. Every plan is different and we want to make sure we give you accurate information based on your specific coverage.

If you're booking specifically for a cosmetic or restorative consultation (veneers, implants, smile design, All-on-4), that first consultation is completely free at all three locations.

What about kids?

Art Dental Studio is a family practice. We see patients of all ages. For young children:

• First visit recommended by age 1, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in
• Visits are kept short, friendly and educational
• Parents are welcome in the treatment room
• We focus on prevention and habit-building rather than aggressive treatment

Frequently asked questions

How long is the first visit? Typically 60-90 minutes including paperwork, X-rays, exam and (when scheduled) cleaning. Allow extra time for parking and check-in.

Do I need to fast before the visit? No. Brush and floss normally, eat as usual.

Can I schedule a first visit online? Yes — through our website. You can also call any of our three locations directly: Miami (305) 922-2262 · Cooper City (954) 233-0707 · Kendall (305) 395-3330.

What if I have a dental emergency before my scheduled first visit? Call immediately. Same-day emergency appointments are available whenever possible. Don't wait for the scheduled visit if you have severe pain, swelling or trauma.

Book your first visit

Whether it's been six months or six years since your last dental visit, you'll be welcomed back without judgment. Three convenient South Florida locations, evening and Saturday hours, bilingual care.

Schedule your first visit →