Welcome to Hope Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry. We want you to feel comfortable and at ease when you visit our office. Whether you’re a new patient or have been with us for a while, we’re here to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
We understand that some people might feel uneasy about visiting the dentist due to past experiences or anxiety about dental care. Our goal is to help ease those fears. We invite you to explore our patient resources for our Tulsa, OK office to learn what happens during regular dental visits and to get to know more about our practice.
First Dental Visit
You can plan to spend about an hour for your first appointment with Dr. Bridges. Our office has a calm and friendly atmosphere. We’ll greet you when you arrive and ensure you feel at home. We’ll also offer you water or coffee.
You can fill out our registration and health history forms online before you come in. However, if you haven’t had a chance, we’ll help you complete them when you arrive. One of our assistants will then get you settled in a comfortable chair, and if you’d like, we can offer you a pillow or blanket.
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?
First, the hygienist will look around your mouth with a small mirror to check for any signs of cavities, gum disease, or other issues. They may also ask if you’ve had any recent problems or pain.
Next, the hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria that can harden into tartar if not removed. Using a special tool, the hygienist will gently scrape off tartar along the gum line and between your teeth.
After scaling, they will use a high-powered electric brush with a gritty toothpaste to clean your teeth more deeply. This process helps polish your teeth and remove any leftover plaque or stains. Your hygienist will also floss your teeth to remove leftover food or buildup.
Then, you’ll rinse out your mouth. Finally, the hygienist may apply a fluoride treatment. This strengthens your teeth and helps prevent cavities until your next cleaning. We recommend fluoride for children and adults to strengthen tooth enamel and protect teeth against cavities. Make sure you refrain from eating for 20 minutes after we apply the fluoride treatment to let it penetrate the tooth.
Your Dental Exam in Tulsa, OK
After your cleaning, Tulsa dentist Dr. Bridges will introduce himself and spend a few minutes getting to know you. He’ll then perform a thorough exam, including screenings for oral cancer, gum disease, and any issues with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
He’ll also take digital X-rays and use an intraoral camera to take pictures of any problem areas in your mouth.
X-rays help spot issues that might not be visible during a regular exam, like cavities between teeth or signs of bone loss. An intraoral camera is a small camera that can take close-up pictures of any areas that need attention. This camera lets him show you exactly what he sees on a screen. You can understand any problem areas and discuss what’s needed to keep your mouth healthy.
After the exam, we’ll schedule a time for you to return for a treatment consultation. This gives Dr. Bridges time to review the exam results and create a treatment plan for you.
During the consultation, Dr. Bridges will explain his findings to you personally and discuss your treatment options. Afterward, our staff will review the costs of different procedures so you’ll understand your choices clearly.
Patient Resources
Explore our website to learn more about Dr. Bridges and our practice:
Do You Have Dental Fear?
If you feel nervous or scared about the dentist, you’re not alone—many people feel the same way. Dental fear, or anxiety about dental visits, is very common and can make even simple checkups feel challenging. We understand these feelings are real and want to help you feel more relaxed and comfortable about your dental care.
We Encourage Communication
Please let us know if you have any fears or worries. We can take the time to talk with you about your concerns and explain every step of the visit so you know what to expect. Our office also welcomes your questions. We can explain what will happen during treatment. Understanding treatment often makes patients feel more comfortable.
We can also agree on a signal to pause treatment. When you feel overwhelmed, you can raise your hand or tap on the chair.
We Welcome You to Bring Comforting Items
For some patients, bringing earphones or headphones to listen to music, audiobooks, or podcasts can get their mind off dental treatment. Listening to a guided meditation can also help some patients. Bringing a stress ball or fidget ring can also distract you when you’re in the dental chair.
We Provide Sedation
Dr. Bridges offers several sedation options to make your visit easier and stress-free. You can choose from nitrous oxide gas (also called laughing gas), oral sedation, or IV sedation.
Laughing gas helps you feel calm during the appointment. Oral sedation involves taking a relaxing medication before the visit. IV sedation is the strongest option; you may not remember the procedure after this sedation.
Sedation options allow you to get the dental care you need without feeling anxious or uncomfortable. They are also safe; we monitor you throughout treatment. Before treatment, we ensure any medications, allergies, or medical conditions will not interfere with sedation.
With the right support, you can have a stress-free, positive dental experience and care for your teeth without fear.
Call Us Today
Do you need a new dentist? Call Hope Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry today at 918-347-1114. You may also request a dental consultation on our dental website. We serve patients from Bixby, Tulsa, OK, and the surrounding area.
Let us know if you have questions about treatment. We’re here to help you.