Dental implants are held up as the modern gold standard of tooth replacement. However, this is not a one-size-fits-all treatment; it requires careful planning and a thorough understanding of your specific needs. As such, the initial consultation is a vital part of the dental implant process. Here’s a look at what will happen during this appointment to ensure you’re on the right track toward rebuilding your smile.
Step 1: Conducting a Thorough Examination of the Mouth and Jaw
Naturally, one of the first questions that your dentist needs to answer during your consultation is whether you’re eligible for dental implants in the first place. Thus, they will need to conduct a careful examination of your mouth. This gives them a chance to check for oral health issues that can potentially complicate dental implant placement, such as gum disease. X-rays and CT scans will typically also be taken to confirm whether your jaw has the required level of bone density.
Step 2: Reviewing Your Options
Your dentist will share the results of their examination with you and explain whether you’re a candidate for dental implants. They will then walk you through your treatment options. You’re the one who will ultimately need to make a choice regarding what happens to your smile, so don’t hesitate to speak up if you have any questions or if there’s something that you want to clarify before taking the next step.
Step 3: Putting Together a Treatment Plan
In the event that you decide to get dental implants, the next step is to figure out exactly what the treatment process will look like. Your dentist will explain how many dental implants are needed to fill the gaps in your grin as well as what type of prosthesis they will support. They can also provide you with an estimate of the treatment timeline, which will normally take a matter of months.
Bear in mind that you won’t always be able to get dental implants right away. Sometimes you will need to undergo bone grafting or other types of preliminary work first. Naturally, any necessary preparatory procedures will be taken into account when creating your treatment plan.
Your dental implant consultation is the first step on the journey toward a re-completed smile. If you are thinking about getting dental implants, then there’s no better time than the present to get started; reach out to your dentist today so that you can set up a visit to find out whether dental implants truly are the right choice for you.
About the Author
Dr. Paul Samia went to the Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College, and he earned a Fellowship in Implantology from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Thanks to dental implants, he’s able to help his patients replace their missing teeth in a way that looks and feels natural. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Samia at Samia Family Dentistry of Garner, visit his website or call (919) 779-2818.