New Patients

Your first visit is a comprehensive examination, a conversation about what we find, and in most cases a cleaning the same day. If you would rather start with a limited visit for one specific problem, say so when you book and we will plan the visit that way. What it is like, step by step and with photos, is on the your first visit page.

• About ninety minutes

  X-rays, the examination and, in most cases, a cleaning the same day.

• Benefits checked first

  Our coordinator verifies your insurance at no charge before the visit.

• Forms ahead of time

  New patient forms can usually be filled out digitally before the visit.

• A written plan

  With an estimate, and the decision is yours.

The visit

1. 1
   Step 1 of 4 Records

   If you bring recent X-rays from your previous office, we start with those; otherwise we take the X-rays we need. They are digital, which keeps the radiation dose low, and we take X-rays only as often as your situation calls for, about once a year for most people.

2. 2
   Step 2 of 4 Conversation and examination

   Dr. Kottar sits down with you and asks about your health, your dental history and what you want from your dental care. He then screens the mouth for oral cancer, examines every tooth, measures the gums, and checks your bite and jaw muscles, often taking photos of your teeth as he goes.

3. 3
   Step 3 of 4 Findings and plan

   He shows you what he found on the X-rays and photos, explains what can be watched and what should be treated, and gives you a written treatment plan with an estimate. What to treat and when is your decision.

4. 4
   Step 4 of 4 Cleaning

   In most cases you can have a cleaning the same day. If your gums need deeper treatment, we explain why and schedule it.

Allow about ninety minutes. If you are coming in with an urgent problem, the first priority is to find the cause and get you comfortable; the comprehensive examination can follow at a later visit.

Before you come

Call or text (305) 568-8899, or request an appointment online. If something is bothering you now, tell us when you call. For pain, call as soon as you can; we try to see patients in pain the same day.

Before the visit our coordinator checks your insurance benefits at no charge, so you know what your plan covers before anything is proposed. Have your insurance card handy when you book, or send us a photo of it.

New patient forms can usually be filled out digitally before the visit. If you have not done that, arrive ten minutes early to complete them at the office. Please do not send health information through the website contact form.

We are at 3683 S Miami Ave, Suite 305, in the Mercy Medical Arts building on the Mercy Hospital campus, with parking below the building. Hours, directions and a map are on the contact page.

What to bring

Comfort

If dental visits make you anxious, tell us. Local anesthesia is given slowly, with a numbing gel first, and nitrous oxide and oral sedation are available for treatment visits. Our anxiety and comfort options page explains them.

Second opinions

If another office has recommended treatment and you want a second opinion, bring the treatment plan and any X-rays. We examine you independently and tell you what we would do and why.

Who we see

Adults of all ages for general, restorative, cosmetic and implant dentistry. Teenagers and adults for orthodontics with Dr. Hong, our board-certified orthodontist. Children from about age ten for general dental care, and from around six or seven for an orthodontic evaluation. Younger children are better served by a pediatric dentist, and we can recommend one.

Insurance and payment

We are in network with most PPO plans and verify your benefits before treatment. Without insurance, or with an HMO plan, we tell you the fee for the visit when you book. Most treatment is paid for when it is done. Orthodontics is paid with a down payment and interest-free monthly installments arranged with the office. Details are on the insurance and payment page.