Dental implants have a variety of benefits for people with missing or damaged teeth, but a decent number of those same people are hesitant to begin a conversation with their dentist about the possibility of undergoing an implant procedure. This is likely due in part to misconceptions about what the process entails or how it actually begins. If you're curious about what an initial consultation involves but haven't had the chance to speak with your dentist yet, take a look below for some of the things you can expect.
A Conversation About Medical History
Dentists recognize that every patient is different. As such, you can expect your dentist to go over your dental and medical records at length, as well as speak with you about any relevant preexisting conditions. Knowing that there is nothing in your medical history that could negatively impact the process is just the first step toward approaching the dental implant procedure more confidently.
A Detailed Examination
Dental implant procedures are only successful if there is enough bone — and the bone is dense enough — to support all parts of the implant, including the post, abutment, and crown itself. A dentist will likely have a series of X-rays or CT scans taken in order to further confirm that a dental implant is a realistic treatment option. This usually takes just a few minutes and is completely painless.
An Outline of Treatment
If a more detailed examination shows that a dental implant could improve your oral health, then your dentist will sit you down to go over an outline of the treatment you can expect if you choose to begin the process. Because getting a dental implant is something that can only be done over the course of several weeks, your dentist should give you a series of dates during which each step of the process is completed. The primary benefit of this is that you can be guaranteed to avoid surprises or sudden, unexpected appointments that you'll end up stressing over.
A Chance to Have All Questions Answered
Nearly everyone thinking about undergoing a dental implant procedure has dozens of questions: Should I choose sedation or local anesthesia? What level of discomfort should I expect? What is the recommended aftercare routine? These are just some of the questions every dentist is able to thoroughly answer, allowing you to experience your first dental implant appointment feeling totally prepared.
Share5 October 2022
Do you remember the last time you looked at your smile and really loved what you saw? A few years ago I started spending more time analyzing my appearance, and I noticed that my teeth were seriously lacking. I knew that I had to do something to improve the situation, so I began focusing on loving my smile by getting some work done. I started talking with a dentist about how he could help, and it was really incredible to see the simple difference that he was able to make. Within a few years, my smile looked and felt completely different, and I was really pleased with the results. Check out this blog for great information on making your smile more beautiful.
