What to Expect at Your First TMJ Appointment in Rogers, AR
You’ve Already Done the Hard Part
If you’re here, you’ve probably been living with pain, poor sleep, or unexplained symptoms for longer than you should have. You may have seen other providers who couldn’t find answers — or told you it was stress, or that nothing was wrong.
We hear this every day. And we want you to know: your first visit here is different.
This is not a quick consult. It is a thorough, two-hour diagnostic experience designed to give you real answers — not guesses. By the time you leave, you will know exactly what is happening, why it’s happening, and what can be done about it.
Here is exactly what your appointment looks like, start to finish.
Your Two-Hour New Patient Visit
When You Arrive
You’ll be greeted by our team and walked through the entire visit personally. We use a clinical AI documentation system throughout your appointment so that nothing you share is missed and your records are complete and accurate from day one.
Step 1 — Records, Photos & Assessment
Approximately 30–40 minutes
Before Dr. Benton ever enters the room, our clinical assistant gathers the objective data that makes an accurate diagnosis possible.
Posture photography: We photograph your posture from four angles — front, back, and both sides. Many patients are surprised to learn how much jaw and neck alignment shows up in posture. These images become part of your permanent baseline record.
Intraoral photography: A detailed photographic record of your teeth, tongue posture, and oral airway. These images help identify signs of grinding, clenching, airway restriction, and inflammation that are invisible to the naked eye in a standard exam.
Vitals: Height, weight, oxygen saturation, and range of motion measurements.
Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA): A non-invasive recording of the sounds and vibrations your jaw joints produce during movement. This gives us objective, measurable data about joint function — something most providers never capture.
Step 2 — Full Head and Neck CBCT Imaging
Approximately 10–15 minutes
We use an iCAT cone beam CT (CBCT) — a three-dimensional imaging system that captures your jaw joints, airway, sinuses, cervical spine, and surrounding structures in a single scan.
This is not a standard dental X-ray. It is the same technology used in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and it allows Dr. Benton to see bone quality, joint position, disc space, and airway volume in detail that two-dimensional imaging simply cannot provide.
Most patients have never had this level of imaging done. For many, it is the first time the structural origin of their symptoms has ever been visible.
Step 3 — Digital Impressions
Approximately 10 minutes
Using a Trios intraoral scanner, our clinical assistant takes precise digital impressions of your teeth and bite. No messy impression material — just a small wand that maps your dentition in 3D.
These impressions are used to fabricate custom orthotics and appliances if treatment is recommended, and they capture your bite relationship at baseline.
Step 4 — Your Time with Dr. Benton
Approximately 45–60 minutes
This is the heart of your visit — and the part that is unlike anything most of our patients have experienced before.
Dr. Benton will begin by sitting with you and listening. He wants to hear your story: when symptoms began, what makes them better or worse, what you’ve tried, who you’ve seen, and what you’re hoping to find here. This conversation matters clinically. The history of your symptoms is data.
From there, Dr. Benton will:
- Review your CBCT imaging with you — you will see your own jaw joints, airway, and anatomy on screen. He will walk you through what he sees, explain what is normal and what is not, and connect the imaging findings to the symptoms you’ve been experiencing.
- Review your Joint Vibration Analysis — interpreting the recording to identify the pattern of joint dysfunction, if present.
- Complete a clinical examination — assessing cranial nerve function, cervical range of motion, and muscle tenderness using a standardized pain scale so findings are documented precisely.
- Administer a nasal airway assessment — including Xlear nasal spray and nasal dilators, which you’ll wear for the remainder of the visit to assess airway response.
- Perform a laser therapy session — a photobiomodulation treatment targeting the TMJ and surrounding musculature. Many patients notice a reduction in tension or discomfort during the visit itself.
- Take a phonetic bite registration — a precise record of your jaw position in function, used to guide orthotic fabrication if indicated.
By the end of this time, Dr. Benton will have your diagnosis. He will explain it in plain language, connect every symptom to its origin, and present a custom treatment plan built around your specific findings — not a generic protocol.
Step 5 — Treatment Planning & Financial Conversation
Approximately 15–20 minutes
You’ll meet with Bev, our treatment coordinator, who has been briefed on your diagnosis and your goals for this visit.
Bev’s role is not to pressure you into anything. It’s to make sure that if treatment makes sense for you, the financial side doesn’t stand in the way of getting better. She will walk you through:
- Exactly what your treatment plan includes
- The timeline for each phase
- Every available option for funding treatment, including financing
There is no pressure and no deadline. You will leave with everything you need to make a confident, informed decision — in your own time.
What You Leave With
Every new patient departs with:
- A written, custom treatment plan — specific to your diagnosis, not a template
- Digital encounter notes — a complete record of your visit
- Multiple funding options — in writing, so you can review them at home
- Your CBCT images — emailed to you upon request
- Answers — most patients tell us this is the first appointment where everything finally made sense
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the appointment?
Plan for two hours. We protect this time for you — it is rarely shorter, and we will not rush it.
Do I need to bring anything?
Bring any previous imaging (X-rays, MRIs, prior CT scans), a list of current medications, and any prior records from other providers if you have them. If you’ve been referred, your referring provider may have already sent records directly.
Will I get answers at this visit?
Yes. Dr. Benton will give you a diagnosis and a treatment recommendation at your first appointment. You will not leave without knowing what is happening and what can be done about it.
Is the CBCT scan safe?
Yes. Cone beam CT delivers significantly lower radiation than a conventional medical CT scan. It is routinely used in dental and oral surgery practices and is considered safe for diagnostic purposes.
Do I have to decide about treatment at the appointment?
No. You will receive your treatment plan in writing and can take as much time as you need. Bev is available to answer any questions after you leave.
Will my insurance cover this?
Depending on your diagnosis, portions of treatment may be billable to medical insurance. Our team will review your coverage and explain exactly what is expected before any treatment begins.
I’ve seen other providers and nothing helped. Is this going to be different?
Most of our patients have been to multiple providers before finding us. Our diagnostic process — CBCT imaging, joint vibration analysis, intraoral scanning, and a comprehensive clinical exam — captures information that standard dental and medical exams do not. We find things others miss. That is not a marketing claim; it is why physicians refer to us.
Ready to Schedule?
Your first visit begins with a single step.
Questions before you book? Call us at (479) 265-1400 or send us a message — our team will get back to you the same day.
Restorative Wellness Center serves patients from Rogers, Bentonville, Fayetteville, Springdale, and throughout Northwest Arkansas. We also accept patients who travel from out of state for specialized TMD and craniofacial pain care.