You may have spent years taking care of everyone else. Maybe money was tight, your health changed, or a difficult visit made it easier to keep putting off the next one. Whatever the reason, you don't owe us an apology. We're glad you're thinking about coming in.
Let us know what brought you back
Maybe a tooth has started bothering you, or you finally have a little room in your schedule. Tell us when you call, along with roughly how long it's been. That helps us reserve time for the right visit. If you're worried about being judged or about what we might find, you can say that too.
Dr. Maiurano will go over your health history, examine your teeth and gums, and take dental images when needed. The length of time you've been away doesn't tell us what treatment you need. The examination does.
Will I have a cleaning that day?
Possibly. If a routine cleaning is appropriate, it may be part of the visit. Sometimes sore gums need a different kind of care, or a painful tooth needs attention first. We'll explain what we find and how that affects the appointment. You can read more about gum treatment if you've been told you may need more than a regular cleaning.
If there is more than one thing to address
This is often the worry behind putting off a visit: what if it turns into too much at once? Dr. Maiurano will help you sort it out. She'll explain what needs prompt attention, what can safely wait, and what she'd like to keep an eye on. Elective changes belong in their own conversation.
Where it is safe to do so, care can be spread over several visits. Once we know what you need, we'll discuss the timing and costs with you. If the plan feels hard to manage, please say so. That gives us a chance to talk about the choices and what needs attention first.
A few things to bring
- A current medication list, including changes to your health since your last dental visit.
- Any dental records or images you already have. Ask us if you're unsure how to request them.
- Your insurance card, if you're using dental benefits, and any questions you've written down.
If fear is part of what's kept you away, tell us before you arrive. We can discuss a pause signal, how much explanation you prefer, and what might make that first visit easier. Our dental anxiety page goes into more detail.
Call (703) 455-5555 when you're ready to get started. If you've been our patient before, we'd be glad to see you again. You can come back without having to explain the whole time you've been away.