What to Expect for Your Dental Implant Consultation

Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there. They replace the roots of the missing teeth, allowing for a wide range of additional benefits that you can’t find with dentures or dental bridges. To achieve this, getting dental implants requires a multi-step process. The first step of this process is your initial consultation with your dentist. Here is what you can expect.

Examination

During your visit, your dentist will take some time to examine your smile. This includes your teeth, gums, and other areas of your mouth. They will also go over your medical history. If you have any preexisting oral health issues, like gum disease, they will need to be treated before your procedure takes place. Ultimately, this examination is necessary to ensure that your mouth can successfully support dental implants.

X-Rays

It isn’t possible for your dentist to know everything about your smile just by looking at it. That’s why X-rays must be taken. This helps them to figure out how dense your jawbone is. If you don’t currently have enough jawbone density, you may need bone grafting before you can move forward in the dental implant process. Your X-rays are also used to determine exactly where your implants should be placed for the greatest chance of success.

Treatment Plan

During this time, it will be confirmed whether you are a good candidate for dental implants. If you are, your dentist will discuss your treatment plan with you in detail. This includes the length of the treatment, how many appointments you need, the types of sedations that are available, your recovery time, aftercare instructions, and what to expect afterward.

Ask Questions

Your dentist will go over all of your treatment options in detail. This is also the ideal time to ask questions that you have about the treatment process, finances, or anything else you want to know ahead of time.

If you come up with any more questions after you leave your consultation, don’t hesitate to give them a call. It pays to be well-informed about the process and your expectations. Yoru consultation is the ideal time for you to learn more about the dental implant process and everything you can look forward to. You will be showing off a new and improved smile in just a matter of time!

About the Author

Dr. Alex R. Goodman earned his dental doctorate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. He has owned his own practice for over a decade and was even voted a Top 5 Dentist in Columbia by the Daily Herald. To learn more about dental implants or to schedule a consultation, visit his website or call (931) 388-4315.