What to Expect at Your Dental Implant Consultation

You’re excited about getting dental implants – you’ve scoured the web for hours doing research and have rearranged your schedule and finances for this investment in making your smile look gorgeous and improving your overall oral health. However, before going in for the procedure, you’ll need to have a discussion with your dentist about your candidacy. Read on to learn what you can expect from this first consultation.

A Preliminary Conversation

At first, your dentist will want to know what your goals are for the treatment so that they have an end game in mind for what you want to accomplish. They’ll also want to be updated on both your oral and medical history and any medications you’re currently taking to see if something may impact your treatment.

Be sure you clearly communicate your goals, whether it’s a better smile, improving daily oral functions, or replacing a full set of teeth. Bring up any health concerns that may factor into the dentist’s recommendation about implants, like chronic health conditions.

Examination

After your initial meeting, the dentist will give you a thorough evaluation to determine the health of your teeth and gums. They’ll also look for any signs of infection or bone loss in the jaw with a CBCT scanner. The dentist is looking for a solid foundation for the implants.

If you have pre-existing conditions like cavities or signs of gingivitis, the doctor may recommend other treatments before installing implants, like bone grafts or tooth extraction.

Possible Treatment Plans

Depending on what’s found so far, your dentist will recommend the best course of action moving forward with your implants. They may present options like:

• Any necessary preliminary work to prepare for placement.
• All-on-4: This solution places 4 posts surgically in the jawbone to attach to a set of dentures, providing a very stable, secure fit to ensure no disruptions to your daily oral functions.
• Implant dentures: This is very similar to the “All-on-4” method, though more posts may need to be installed to support the dentures.

Your dentist will discuss various options and the different steps involved in each treatment.

Wrap-Up and Timeline Overview

At the end of the visit, the doctor will discuss a timeline of your follow-up visits, like when your restoration comes back from the lab for placement and the recovery period. After answering any questions you may have, they’ll likely turn you over to a treatment coordinator to discuss the costs of the procedure with you.

If finances are of concern to you, many dentists offer flexible financing options through third parties like CareCredit or LendingClub. These lenders can break the costs up into monthly payments to make things more financially feasible.

Now you’re all set to confidently begin your journey on the way to a beautiful smile and better oral health!

About the Author

Dr. Hasnain Shinwari is a board-certified oral surgeon who graduated from the University of Peshawar in Pakistan before becoming part of the UCLA Weintraub Research Center, where he helped invent groundbreaking technology in dental implantology and osseointegration. He and the team at Oral & Facial Surgery Center of Virginia can answer all your questions about dental implants! To schedule a consultation and begin your journey of restoration, call their Dumfries office at (571) 462-6645 or visit them online.