What to expect at your first appointment

What to Expect at Your First Appointment with Maria Cardenas DMD

You just scheduled your first appointment with us at Maria Cardenas DMD. First and foremost, we would like to thank you for entrusting our team with your oral healthcare. You may be thinking your first visit with us will be similar to any other experience you’ve had in the past. But you’ll quickly realize we are not your average dental clinic. 

With a combination of more than 20 years of clinical experience, highly skilled staff, state-of-the-art technology, and a customer service-driven philosophy, we are able to provide you with a high level of care in a pleasant and relaxed environment.

Our Office

In order to make your visit as seamless as possible, we will send you a link to our new patient forms which you can fill out online prior to your arrival. If you prefer to complete these forms at our office, we kindly ask that you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

Our convenient location here in Wellesley Hills provides plenty of free parking and is steps away from public transportation. We recommend that you use the South entrance to access our suite located on the third floor.

Upon your arrival, our friendly reception team will greet you and get you checked in. Our office, which was expanded and remodeled in 2020, was designed to feel modern and luxurious yet warm and welcoming. You’ll see fresh floral arrangements, smell essential oils, hear calming music and feel the relaxed atmosphere of our office while you enjoy a cup of tea, coffee or sparkling water in our chic consult room. 

It makes sense that many of our patients say they feel like they are at a spa not a dental office!

We understand how real dental anxiety is and we want all of our patients, especially at your first visit, to feel comfortable.

Dental Radiographs (X-Rays)

A full set of x-rays is important in evaluating your oral health. A dental radiograph helps your dentist to better see the hard and soft tissues inside your mouth, the number and position of teeth and can help detect diseases and other problems early on, preventing further damage or health risks. X-rays can also help identify caries (tooth decay), bone loss and periodontal (gum) disease. 

Dental radiographs are very safe as the amount of radiation used to obtain them is minimal. You will also be provided with a protective lead apron. 

Digital Impressions

Great news, no more traditional dental impressions that make you gag! We use the latest technology to efficiently gather the most accurate information while keeping you comfortable! 

A handheld scanner is used to take a compilation of images inside the mouth which are then combined to create a 3D model of your entire mouth in as little as three minutes. 

Cosmetic Consultation

If you’re coming in for a cosmetic consultation, Dr. Cardenas will first meet with you in our consult room and discuss any concerns you may have before bringing you into the clinic to complete a comprehensive exam. She will also consult the dental radiographs and digital impressions before making treatment recommendations based on her clinical assessment. If you are interested in moving forward with your smile makeover, additional records may be taken at this visit to prepare for your smile test drive. You can expect this visit to be about an hour.

Dental Hygiene Visit

If you’re coming in for your first dental hygiene visit, our friendly and knowledgeable registered dental hygienist will perform your cleaning (dental prophylaxis) along with removal of calculus (tartar), removal of plaque, teeth polishing. Even if you are not interested in a cosmetic consultation, Dr. Cardenas will still come in to introduce herself during this visit and discuss any concerns. You can expect this first visit to be about ninety minutes so that we have a little more time to establish a relationship with you as a new patient as well as take any initial records. Recall hygiene appointments are about an hour. 

Meet with our Treatment Coordinator

After your clinical visit is complete, you will then meet with our treatment coordinator to schedule your next visit, whether that be the first steps in your smile makeover or simply your next cleaning in six months. We will provide you with all the information you need to move forward with any recommended treatment, answer any questions you may have and submit insurance claims on your behalf. 

Thank you for trusting our team with your dental care! It is our hope that every patient leaves our office feeling comfortable, confident, and well cared for. Providing a positive patient experience is our highest priority, and we look forward to being a part of yours.

Maria Cardenas DMD: Best Dentist in Greater Boston

Here at Maria Cardenas DMD, we strive for nothing less than excellence and we are dedicated to providing you with a personalized treatment plan that works best for you and guiding you every step of the way through your smile journey. If you are looking for a new dentist in the Greater Boston area, we promise you will enjoy a first class experience whether it’s your first or fiftieth visit at our boutique dental practice. 

Our goal is to provide our patients with the best oral health care and education while building lasting relationships. We believe in getting to know the person behind the smile. We look forward to meeting you and hope this gives you a good idea of what your first visit will be like.

In addition to offering new patient appointments and dental hygiene cleanings in Wellesley, Maria Cardenas DMD is proud to offer a wide variety of cosmetic, restorative and general dental services. From teeth whitening to dental implants to fillings and more, we are here to help with all your dental needs!

For more information about becoming a new patient at our dental boutique in Greater Boston or to get scheduled at our Wellesley dental clinic, please feel free to call or text us at 781-235-1900. After hours, you can also fill out our contact form and we will reach out to you as soon as we are back in the office.