If you are thinking about getting dental implants to rebuild your missing teeth, the first step on your journey will be a consultation. This appointment will help to establish the basis for your treatment plan and provide you with information that you need in order to make a confident decision about whether you want to move forward. But what happens during a dental implant consultation? This blog post provides a generalized preview of what you might experience.
The Initial Conversation
Soon after you arrive at your dentist’s office, you will be escorted to a comfortable treatment room. Your care team will learn about your oral health, your goals for treatment, and your medical history. Be sure to provide straightforward and candid answers to any questions they ask; what you tell them could have a significant impact on your tooth replacement journey. For example, you should let them know if you smoke, have been diagnosed with diabetes, or are pregnant.
The Oral Examination
A member of your dental team will use advanced imaging equipment to gather information about the state of your mouth. Digital X-rays are fast, non-invasive, and painless. They also use minimal radiation and are available for viewing almost immediately. The X-rays should reveal whether your jawbone is strong enough to support dental implants.
You can also expect to go through a simple oral examination. With the help of a mirror, a gentle probe, and other instruments, your dental team will look for indications of gum disease, damage to your remaining natural teeth, and anything else that could affect your dental implant procedure.
Treatment Planning
After your dentist has collected all the information they need, they can get to work on planning the details of your tooth replacement. They may talk to you about things like:
- Preliminary treatment. Some patients need tooth extractions, gum disease therapy, or bone grafts before they can get dental implants.
- Dental implant placement surgery. The details of the surgery can vary depending on how many implants you need and other factors.
- Placement of the final restorations. Your dentist will design a crown, bridge, or denture to go on top of your implants. Some restorations are removable, whereas others are permanently fixed in place.
- Other details. Your dentist may be able to tell you roughly how long your total treatment will take, what you can expect during the recovery process, and more.
Q&A
You should not hesitate to ask questions at any point during your consultation. Your dental team wants you to feel well-informed before you commit to anything, so they will be happy to spare a little time to address your concerns. If you have any questions about the financial aspect of your treatment, you should also be sure to bring that up.
Your dental implant consultation can set you on the path to a stronger, healthier smile. You can look forward to your appointment with excitement!
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group is proud to offer start-to-finish dental implant care. If you are curious about your tooth replacement options or are ready to move forward with dental implants, we are eager to answer your questions and recommend a treatment plan. To learn more about how we may be able to serve you, contact our Hamden office at 203-587-7327.