Resources
Your First Visit
What to expect at sie.nyc
Your first appointment with Dr. Kumar and the team is an important one. We take the time to sort through your oral health needs and wants, presenting issues and options for treatment, and educating and empowering you with the knowledge to guide your own oral health for years to come. Feel free to call or email us with any initial questions.
The Comprehensive Exam
We focus on five areas of oral health, giving us a complete view of your needs. Your exam includes digital x-rays alongside a visual and physical exam to check for new cavities, weaknesses in existing restorative work, gum health, and any abnormalities in hard and soft tissue.
TMJ & Airway Assessment
As part of your first visit, we also screen the jaw joint and airway alongside your teeth and gums. This includes evaluating jaw movement, joint sounds, and muscle tenderness for signs of TMJ dysfunction, as well as a screening for airway restriction and sleep-related breathing concerns. Because jaw alignment, bite, and airway health are closely connected, catching issues here early allows us to coordinate care — with orthodontics, appliance therapy, or referral to a specialist — before symptoms progress.
3D Dental Scanner
We use a 3D dental scanner to capture detailed digital images of your teeth and gums — a radiation-free alternative to traditional impressions. It lets us visualize diagnostic, restorative, and orthodontic comparisons with clarity, helps detect cavities between teeth, simulates potential outcomes for orthodontic treatment, and tracks changes in your smile over time, giving you a clear, visual way to follow your own progress.
Photo Array
As part of your comprehensive exam, we also capture a standardized set of clinical photographs — a photo array documenting your teeth, gums, and bite from multiple angles. This gives us, and you, a precise visual record to reference for diagnosis and treatment planning, and a reliable way to track changes over time. It's also an invaluable tool for patient education, letting you see exactly what we see, and for following the results of any cosmetic or restorative work with clear before-and-after comparisons.
Digital X-Rays
X-rays reveal what the eye and hand alone cannot — decay, bone loss, tumors, cysts, and the position of teeth and roots — letting us catch problems early, before they become more invasive and costly to treat. Dr. Kumar recommends x-rays based on your medical and dental history, exam findings, age, and caries risk. Digital x-rays produce very low radiation, comparable to ordinary daily activities, and we further limit exposure with lead apron shields and digital sensors.
Dental Prophylaxis
Calculus removal — hardened plaque firmly attached above and below the gum line, removable only with dental instruments. Plaque removal — a sticky film of living bacteria that produces toxins inflaming the gums, the start of periodontal disease. Polishing — removes stain and plaque left behind by regular brushing.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride slows mineral loss from enamel and encourages remineralization of weakened areas, while discouraging the acid attacks that cause decay. In-office, we apply a topical gel or foam — held in a tray against the teeth for up to four minutes — at a far higher concentration than toothpaste or rinses, offering extra protection at any age.
Oral Cancer Screening
Early detection matters most, so every routine exam includes a check for oral cancer — feeling for irregular tissue or bumps in the mouth, neck, and head. Most unusual spots turn out to be benign, but anything concerning is referred for further examination without hesitation.
Developing Your Treatment Plan
The final step is an individualized treatment plan addressing your specific needs — drawing on Dr. Kumar's full range of expertise to coordinate the care options best suited to you.