Maybe you’ve landed on this blog because you’ve recently lost a tooth, or maybe you’ve spent years struggling with dentures and want something more permanent. Wherever you are, you’re in a great place to learn about dental implants and what happens at a consultation. Here are the steps you’ll take once you schedule your dental implant consultation:
- Attend your consultation
- Talk through your medical and dental history
- Undergo an examination and get imaging
- Get personalized treatment planning
- Ask questions and take the next steps
Let’s walk through these one by one.
First Steps Toward a New Smile
Dental implants in Bellevue, TN, are a permanent, natural-looking solution for missing teeth. And if you’re reading this, your journey has already started! You’re thinking about dental implants and exploring options. That’s an important first step. Your next step will be scheduling a dental implant consultation.
At your consultation, the foundations for success will be laid with a thorough evaluation. This appointment is about gathering information. No treatment is involved. You can expect to talk to your dentist in a pressure-free environment about your goals and needs.
A Discussion of Medical and Dental History
During the consultation, your dentist will ask you questions about your dental and medical history. This information is extremely important to ensuring that your implant procedure is successful.
Your dentist will ask you about any previous dental surgeries, health conditions (such as diabetes or osteoporosis), and medications. They’ll also ask about your treatment goals. Are you looking to replace a single tooth? Improve chewing? Or undergo a full mouth restoration?
In order for your dentist to accurately assess whether dental implants are right for you (and the kind of dental implants right for you), it’s helpful to be open with them. This is a judgment-free zone. Your dentist is simply trying to determine what treatment will work best for you.
Comprehensive Oral Examination and Imaging
Next, your dental team will conduct a comprehensive oral examination. They’ll use advanced imaging, such as x-rays or 3-D scans, to check the condition of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. They’re seeking information about jawbone density (because implants are placed in the bone), bone loss, and things like gum health. Anything that might affect the success of your implant.
The gums and jawbone must be healthy before implants are placed. However, even if you have bone or gum issues at your consultation, there are treatments available to strengthen or address problems in these areas.
Personalized Treatment Planning
After all of this information gathering, your dental team will create a customized dental implant treatment plan. They’ll take into account your particular needs, oral health, and goals. Your plan will outline the recommended type of implants, how many are needed, possible timelines, and whether any prep treatments are needed.
Costs, payment options, anesthesia choices, and recovery are other topics you’ll discuss. They’ll ensure you have a clear understanding of the process before taking the next steps.
Your Questions and Next Steps
Your consultation will conclude with time for you to ask questions and discuss any concerns you may have. For example, maybe you’re curious about using a sedation dentist in Bellevue and how sedation will work during surgery.
You’ll likely have questions about recovery and getting back to work or other responsibilities. Bring a list of questions to your consultation. Don’t hesitate to ask anything that’s on your mind. You should leave feeling knowledgeable about your procedure and all of the details.
Discover Your Dental Implant Consultation in Bellevue
If you are ready to take that next step and schedule a dental implant consultation, we’d be honored to help you get started. Give us a call, and our friendly front office staff will answer any questions you might have. We look forward to hearing from you.