Getting dental implants is a process that typically takes months. The exact details can vary, but the first step is always the same: scheduling an initial consultation with your dentist. Naturally, you will want to have a clear idea of what you can generally expect during this visit so that you can make sure that you’re fully prepared. Below is a brief look at what will happen during your dental implant consultation.
Initial Conversation About Your Goals and Health History
Before anything else, your dentist will need to get a feel for what your goals for your dental implant treatment are. They’ll ask a number of questions in order to clarify your needs and get a clear picture of the outcome you want to achieve. Your answers to these questions will be taken into account when the time comes to create your treatment plan.
Additionally, your dentist will need to review your oral and overall health history to see if there are any issues that could affect your dental implant candidacy. They might ask about any previous dental surgeries you’ve undergone as well as any chronic health conditions you may currently have. On top of that, they may take a look at your past dental X-rays.
Oral Examination and Imaging
Once your dentist has gathered all the preliminary information they need, they will take a close look at your mouth. They’ll check your gums for any symptoms of an infection that might have to be dealt with before dental implants can be safely placed, and they’ll look for signs of bone loss that may need to be corrected with bone grafting.
Of course, an oral examination alone will only tell your dentist so much. They will likely also take X-rays or a CT (computed tomography) scan in order to get a more detailed look at your teeth, jawbone, and various dental structures.
Discussion of Treatment Plan
Based on their findings, your dentist will let you know whether any sort of preliminary work is required before you can receive dental implants. They will also explain how many implant posts you will need and what kind of prosthesis they will support in order to replace all of your missing teeth. And, of course, they’ll give you a reliable estimate of the overall cost as well as how long it will take to complete the process.
Throughout your dental implant consultation, don’t be afraid to voice any questions that you might have. After all, getting as much information as possible is essential for making the choice that is truly right for you. You should walk away from your initial consultation feeling confident that you know what to expect on your journey toward a recompleted smile.
About the Author
Dr. Tony Lee went to the UMMC School of Dentistry, and he holds memberships with the Florida Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. He works alongside local dental implant specialists in order to help his patients rebuild their smiles with sturdy dental implant posts. If you’re interested in scheduling a consultation at Total Dental Care: Tony Lee, DMD in St. Augustine, visit our website or call (904) 808-8779.