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Consultation Cues: What Happens During a Dental Implant Discussion?

June 6, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — yorksmilecare @ 6:04 pm
Dentist wearing mask showing sample implant to woman with long brown hair

If you’ve lost one or more of your permanent teeth, it’s important to replace them as soon as you can. Otherwise, your jawbone will start to degrade because there’s no root in place to stimulate new bone growth every time you bite down or chew. This can eventually change the shape of your face as well as cause additional tooth loss- yikes!

One of the most reliable ways to rebuild your smile is with dental implants. They are the only artificial teeth that are surgically placed in your jawbone, so they come with several unique advantages. Before you can have this procedure, however, you must first schedule a consultation with your dentist to ensure you’re a good candidate.

Keep reading to learn about 3 things you can anticipate from your initial appointment!

Expectation #1: Medical History

It may seem odd to you that your dentist is gathering information about your general medical history, but it’s important for them to have an idea of your overall health. Getting dental implants requires having surgery, so your provider needs to know if there are any other medical conditions and what medications you’re on. That way, they know whether it’s safe for you to move forward with this invasive treatment.

Expectation #2: Oral Examination

Before you can proceed with dental implants, your dentist will examine your mouth to ensure that it’s in good shape. Certain issues, like cavities and gum disease, can impact your restoration’s success. For example, if you have periodontitis and your gums have receded, then there may not be enough healthy connective tissue to hold your prosthetics in place. They’ll work with you to clear up any problem areas so they won’t interfere.

Your dentist also needs to verify that you have sufficient jawbone density to support your implant. If it’s been a while since your permanent tooth fell out, then your jaw could already be too weak. However, in many cases, a bone graft can bulk it up enough for you to continue with the procedure.

Expectation #3: Discussion

After your dentist finishes your oral inspection, they’ll take the time to share their findings and offer treatment suggestions based on your current condition. They’ll go over important information like the treatment timeframe, the number of appointments required, how the surgery works, what recovery looks like, and how to care for yourself afterward.

This is also the perfect opportunity for you to raise any questions or concerns that you may have. You can inquire about what the final results will look and feel like, whether there are dietary restrictions, and what kind of maintenance is involved.

Having an open, honest conversation with your dentist about what you hope to achieve with dental implants ensures that they can help you get the desired results!

About the Author

Dr. Biju Cyriac has nearly 30 years of experience helping people of all ages achieve and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. He began his education in India, where he earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery at Mysore University. From there, he traveled to the U.S. and pursued his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the New York University College of Dentistry. He has since completed advanced training in surgical implant placement and bone grafting, so if you need to rebuild your grin, he’s an expert who can help. If you’re looking for replacement teeth and want a consultation, you can request an appointment on the website or call (717) 741-0893.

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