First Visit and New Patient Dental Exam
You will always receive a warm welcome when you visit our practice.
Your First Visit Sets the Foundation for a Lifetime of Healthy Gums
Starting with a new patient exam at a periodontal practice is one of the best decisions you can make for your long-term oral health. At Rubino Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we go deeper than a standard checkup. We assess the full picture of your gum health, bone structure, and implant candidacy from day one.
Whether you’ve been referred by your general dentist or you’re coming in on your own, our team makes every first visit straightforward and stress-free. You’ll leave with answers, a clear picture of your oral health, and a plan that actually makes sense for you.
We serve patients throughout Bradenton, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and Parrish. Call us today to schedule with our dental office in Bradenton: 941-209-5052, our dental office in Lakewood Ranch: 941-201-3055, or our dental office in Parrish: 813-331-5845.
Why Choose Rubino Periodontics for Your New Patient Exam?
Not all first dental visits are created equal. Here’s what makes ours different:
Three generations of Rubino periodontists — Drs. Thomas, Ryan, and Tyler Rubino — bring decades of combined specialty expertise to every exam- Board-certified periodontists with advanced training far beyond what a general dental checkup covers
- On-site cone beam 3D CT scanner for precision imaging used during the same visit
- A second appointment is included at no extra charge to review findings and answer all your questions in detail
- $79 new patient special — comprehensive periodontal exam with a usual value of $529
Three generations of Rubino periodontists — Drs. Thomas, Ryan, and Tyler Rubino — bring decades of combined specialty expertise to every examWhat is the Purpose of a New Patient Periodontal Exam?
A new patient periodontal exam is a comprehensive evaluation of your gum health, bone levels, teeth, and oral tissues — performed by a specialist trained specifically in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease. Unlike a general dental checkup, this exam uses advanced diagnostics like 3D imaging and detailed periodontal charting to detect early signs of gum disease, bone loss, infection, and implant-related concerns that routine visits often miss.
What Does a New Patient Dental Exam Usually Include?
Your visit covers far more than a standard cleaning appointment. Here’s what’s included:
-
- Full review of your dental and medical history, including medications and systemic health factors
- Digital X-rays: low radiation, instant results, clear imaging of every section of your bite
- Panoramic X-ray of your full mouth (as needed) for a broader structural view
- Cone beam 3D CT scan (as needed): a 360-degree 3D view of your skull, jaw, and teeth
- Periodontal probing and charting: gentle measurement of pocket depths to assess gum disease
- Oral cancer screening
- Evaluation of loose, missing, broken-down, and drifting teeth
- Gum recession assessment and tissue health evaluation
- Personalized treatment plan developed from all findings
Benefits of Starting with a Periodontal Exam
A specialist exam catches what general checkups often miss. The benefits go well beyond that first appointment:
- Early detection of gum disease before it progresses to bone loss or tooth loss
- Precise baseline data that tracks changes in your gum and bone health over time
- Implant candidacy evaluation built right into the exam — no separate consultation needed
- Personalized treatment planning that coordinates with your general dentist or prosthodontist
- Peace of mind from knowing your periodontal health has been thoroughly evaluated
- Access to advanced imaging and diagnostics that most general practices don’t have in-house
- A team that listens — patients consistently comment on how the Rubino doctors take time to understand their goals
Who Should Schedule a New Patient Exam?
This exam is the right starting point for a wide range of patients:
- Anyone referred by their general dentist for a periodontal evaluation
- Patients experiencing bleeding gums, gum tenderness, or persistent bad breath
- Anyone who has noticed gum recession or teeth that look longer than before
- Patients considering dental implants who need a full candidacy evaluation
- Those who haven’t had a periodontal checkup in several years
- Patients with diabetes, heart disease, or other systemic conditions linked to gum health
- Anyone who wants a second opinion on a proposed periodontal treatment plan
Ready to get started? New patients can take advantage of our $79 comprehensive exam special (usual value: $529). Call your nearest location: Bradenton: 941-209-5052 | Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch: 941-201-3055 | Parrish: 813-331-5845
The New Patient Exam Process at Rubino Periodontics & Implant Dentistry
Here’s exactly what to expect from the moment you walk in:
Our excellent staff will treat you with care the moment you walk in.
Step 1: Warm Welcome & Check-In
One of our friendly staff members will help you complete your initial new patient dental exam paperwork and will answer any of your questions. You will then be taken to a treatment room, where one of our clinical staff will interview you about your health and teeth history, what dentistry issues you want to address, and any concerns you may have.
Step 2: Health & Dental History Review
A clinical team member will go through your medical and dental history in detail — covering past dental experiences, current medications, systemic health conditions, and any concerns you want to address. This context shapes everything that follows.
Step 3: Digital X-Rays
We start the new patient diagnostics by taking digital X-rays of your teeth. Our digital X-ray machines use only a fraction of the radiation emitted by traditional X-ray equipment. The images are much clearer than film X-rays and are available in seconds.
We will take X-rays of each section of your bite. Depending on the circumstances, we will also take a panoramic X-ray of your whole mouth.
Step 4: 3D Cone Beam CT Scan (If Needed)
Step 4: 3D Cone Beam CT Scan (If Needed)When more detail is required — for implant planning, bone grafting assessment, or suspected infections — we use our on-site cone beam CT scanner. This produces a full 3D, 360-degree view of your jaw and teeth that can be examined from any angle.
Step 5: Comprehensive Oral & Periodontal Exam
Your periodontist will conduct a thorough clinical examination: pocket depth probing, gum recession assessment, oral cancer screening, and evaluation of all teeth for damage, mobility, or bone support issues. This is the heart of what separates a periodontal exam from a routine checkup.
Step 6: Treatment Plan Development
Step 6: Treatment Plan DevelopmentAll the information obtained during your exam will be closely reviewed to carefully develop a treatment plan to effectively address your particular situation. Part of the planning process is to consult with the general dentist or prosthodontist who will be working with Rubino Periodontics and Implant Dentistry to meet your dental goals. This may include the fabrication of new replacement teeth or treatment options if dental implants are part of the plan.
Step 7: Dedicated Discussion Appointment
A second appointment is scheduled at no extra cost specifically to walk through your findings, explain every treatment option in plain language, and answer all your questions. You’ll leave fully informed and comfortable making decisions.
Caring for Your Gum Health After Your Exam
Your first visit is just the beginning. Staying on track between appointments makes a real difference:
- Follow any home care recommendations from your periodontist
- Use any prescribed rinses or gels as directed, especially after active treatment begins
- Keep your general dentist in the loop for maintaining good oral health when using multiple dental specialists for different purposes
- Stay consistent with follow-up periodontal maintenance visits (typically every three to four months for active disease)
- Watch for warning signs between visits: bleeding, swelling, loosening teeth, or changes in bite
- Avoid smoking, as it significantly impairs gum healing and increases disease progression risk
Frequently Asked Questions
Most new patient exams at Rubino Periodontics take between 60 and 90 minutes. This allows enough time for a thorough health history review, all necessary imaging, and a complete clinical examination. Your second appointment for treatment discussion is typically 30–45 minutes.
No referral is required. You can schedule directly by calling any of our three locations. That said, if your general dentist has referred you, please bring that referral information. This helps us coordinate your care more effectively.
Bring a valid photo ID, your dental insurance card, and a list of all current medications. If you have recent X-rays from another provider, bring those too. They give us useful baseline information and may reduce the number of new images needed.
Yes. The $79 new patient exam special is available at our Bradenton, Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch, and Parrish offices. The offer includes all diagnostic components listed and the follow-up discussion appointment. The usual value is $529.
A general dental checkup focuses on teeth, cavities, and basic gum health. A periodontal exam goes much deeper — measuring bone levels, pocket depths, tissue attachment, and structural integrity with advanced imaging. Periodontists complete three additional years of specialty training beyond dental school, focused specifically on gum disease and implants.
Yes. The new patient exam naturally includes an evaluation of your implant candidacy. If implants are part of your goals, let us know when you schedule. Your periodontist will incorporate implant-specific imaging and planning into the same appointment.
Schedule Your New Patient Exam Today
Serving patients in Bradenton, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and Parrish — get your $79 comprehensive periodontal exam and start with a full picture of your gum health. Bradenton: 941-209-5052 | Lakewood Ranch: 941-201-3055 | Parrish: 813-331-5845. Request an appointment online at any of our three convenient locations to schedule your new patient dental exam near Sarasota, FL.