Before You Come In
When you call either office, tell us what brings you in. A check-up, a tooth that's bothering you or a change you'd like to make to your smile all lead to a slightly different first visit, and knowing ahead of time helps us plan it.
You can save time at the front desk by filling out our new patient forms online before your appointment. Please bring:
- Your dental insurance card, if you have one
- A photo ID
- A list of the medications and supplements you take
- Any recent X-rays or records from a previous dentist, or the name of that office so we can request them
Plan to arrive a few minutes early so you can check in and settle in without rushing.
A Conversation First
Before anyone looks at your teeth, Dr. Kaceli wants to hear from you: what's bothering you, what you'd like to change, your dental history, and how you feel about dental visits. If you're nervous, say so. We'll explain each step before we do it, and you can ask to pause at any time.
A Thorough, Modern Exam
Both our Newton and Norwood offices have the same diagnostic technology, so your exam is just as complete whichever office you choose.
- Teeth, gums and biteDr. Kaceli checks every tooth and your existing dental work, measures the health of your gums, and looks at how your teeth come together and how your jaw joints move.
- Oral cancer screeningA look at your tongue, cheeks, palate and the soft tissues of your mouth and neck is part of every comprehensive exam.
- Intraoral camera photosA small camera shows close-up images of your teeth on the screen, so you see exactly what we see.
- Digital X-rays and 3D imagingDigital X-rays reveal decay between teeth and problems below the gumline. When more detail is needed, for example before implant or surgical planning, we use 3D imaging. We take only the images your care requires.
- 3D digital scanOur iTero and TRIOS intraoral scanners create a detailed 3D model of your teeth in minutes, without goopy impression trays. It's useful for tracking wear and changes over time and for planning Invisalign, crowns and night guards.
- Saliva pH testA quick test of your saliva shows how acidic your mouth is. Acidity plays a big role in cavity risk and enamel wear, so the result helps us personalize your preventive care.
Prevention Built Around You
Prevention is at the heart of how Dr. Kaceli practices. Depending on your exam and your saliva test, your plan may include a professional cleaning, fluoride varnish, or Curodont, a gentle treatment that helps remineralize enamel and can reverse very early cavities without drilling.
If you have white spots on your teeth, we can also talk about ICON, a minimally invasive treatment that makes them far less noticeable.
Preservation is key. Keep what nature gave us, and enhance and fix only what is needed.Dr. Monika Kaceli
Cleaning When It's Right for You
Many new patients have their cleaning at the first visit. If your gums need a different kind of care first, Dr. Kaceli will explain why and what the next step looks like, rather than doing a routine cleaning that won't address the problem.
You Leave With a Clear Plan
Before you go, Dr. Kaceli reviews the findings with you, using your photos, images and scan. If treatment is needed, you'll receive a written plan that lays out what we recommend, in what order and why, along with options where they exist.
Our team will go over costs, what your insurance is expected to cover, and financing options for anything it doesn't, so there are no surprises. There's no pressure to decide on the spot. Take the plan home, think it over and call us with any questions.
Coming in With Pain?
If you have a toothache, a broken tooth or swelling, tell us when you call. We'll focus your first visit on finding the cause and getting you comfortable, and plan the full exam for a follow-up appointment.