Dentist or Doctor? Knowing When to Seek Dental Care
For some mouth-related problems, it’s not always clear whether you should see a dentist or a doctor. Booking in with the wrong provider could mean ...
Comprehensive dental exam and X-ray
Regular dental exams and x-rays help you stay on top of cavities and decay. Whether you’re new to Gentle Dental or haven’t been to the dentist for a while, we’d love to see you. Book your dental check up today.
New patient exam special $55
Regular dental check ups are a great way to look after your teeth. At Gentle Dental, our dental exams begin with a friendly chat about your teeth.
After talking to you about any concerns, we’ll take a look at your mouth, teeth and gums. We’ll also take two standard bite-wing X-rays to diagnose any tooth decay or gum issues. Sometimes, additional X-rays are needed to help us gain a clearer look at problems like impacted wisdom teeth.
What you need to know
Please come five minutes early to complete your new patient paperwork. Your dentist will go through the forms with you to understand any worries or concerns.
If you need to come back for treatment, we'll chat through any treatment options and their costs at the end of your visit. Our aim is to be as transparent as possible during your dental check up about what we recommend, what’s involved, any alternative options and all associated costs.
Diagnosing further issues
During your examination, we sometimes use intra-oral cameras and decay-detecting fluorescent cameras. We might need to take further x-rays, a full ‘jaw scan’ OPG x-ray, study models or clinical photos before diagnosing the problem. In these cases, a complimentary second visit may be required.
What to expect at your check up
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2x bite wing x-rays and a comprehensive mouth examination
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Appointments take 30-60 minutes
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New patients please arrive early to complete your paperwork
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You may be asked about your medical history, oral care routine and any areas of concern
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You may be required to book another complementary checkup for further diagnostics
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an exam and x-rays take?
We recommend you set aside an hour for your first dental appointment. This gives us enough time to chat through your dental history and any concerns, perform an examination and talk through any initial recommendations. If you’re new to Gentle Dental, please arrive five minutes early so that you can fill out your new patient paperwork. You can find information on where to find our Wellington, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt practices here.
What do I need to bring to a dental check up?
You don’t need to bring anything with you to your consultation. You will be asked to complete a new patient questionnaire, dental and medical history form before your appointment. Please arrive a little early to fill this out.
What if I need extra work done?
If you need any dental work, our friendly dentists will talk through their recommendations at your consultation. If you need a filling, root canals or any restorative procedures, these will be completed at an additional appointment. Our dentists may recommend that you see a dental hygienist for a full mouth clean. This can be done in-house at any of our Wellington, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt dental practices. You’ll also know the full cost of any procedures before any work is done.
How often do I need my teeth checked by a dentist?
You should book a dental check up once a year. Regular dentist visits are important as they help you stay on top of any dental issues before they become bigger problems. If you haven’t been to the dentist before, don’t worry. Our Wellington, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt dentists are friendly and have a patient-first approach. We won’t tell you off if you haven't visited the dentist for a while. You can learn more about what to expect at our practices here.
