Don't brush off regular checkups to the dentist! Regular dental checkups are essential to maintaining good oral health. We encourage regular checkups at least every six months. Seeing the dentist twice a year is recommended because your dentist can:

• check for problems that you might not see or feel
• find early signs of decay
• treat oral health problems early, while they are still manageable

Regular checkups include a thorough cleaning, polishing, and an oral exam by the doctor. During the oral exam, the doctor checks the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. At each visit, the doctor also checks old fillings and restorations because constant pressure from chewing, grinding, or clenching can cause them to wear away, chip, or crack.

Regular checkup appointments typically take 40-60 minutes. Patients are seen by appointment only. We make every effort to be on time for our patients, and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately.

Your First Visit

We feel that your first visit to our office is a very important one. Meeting a new patient, performing a comprehensive examination, and formulating a treatment plan based not only on clinical information, but on a patient's vision as well, is vital to the successful outcome of the treatment.

Dr. Hutchison has a unique protocol that aids him in determining an individualized treatment plan for each patient. The initial examination appointment may take up to 1-1/2 hours, and may consist not only of a clinical evaluation, but an update of x-rays, initial diagnostic impressions of your teeth, and digital photographs. It is critical to evaluate a patient's needs based on their periodontal (gum & bone) health, their biomechanical (existing tooth structure and previous dentistry) considerations, function (joint, bite and chewing), and dentofacial (smile) characteristics. A subsequent appointment may then be required to discuss possible treatment options and the fees associated with those options. Once the treatment needs have been established, we will assist you in coordinating the necessary appointments to manage that treatment. We will also work closely with you to help facilitate any treatment that may involve other dental specialists.

We invite you to call to discuss your particular needs, and to schedule an appointment with us at our next available appointment time.