Dental implants are a life-changing treatment that can restore your smile, bite, and self-confidence. If you’ve been considering making an appointment with your dentist to learn more about these amazing restorations but aren’t sure what to expect, here’s a closer look at what will happen during your consultation, and why you shouldn’t hesitate to take this exciting first step!
Ready, Set, GO!
Every journey begins with a first step, and that includes the road to restoring your beautiful smile. At your dental implant consultation, your dentist will take a closer look at your mouth, evaluate your oral health, and provide you with a variety of treatment options for replacing your missing teeth.
Oral and Overall Health Discussion
Your consultation begins with a discussion of your oral and overall health history. This includes any preexisting conditions like gum disease, and any medical conditions like diabetes, cancer, or anything else that may affect you and the success of your dental implants.
Oral Health Exam
Next, your dentist will examine the condition of your gums and any remaining teeth. He will screen you for any abnormalities such as oral cancer, gum disease, or oral abscesses. If he notices anything of concern, he can create a treatment plan to get your smile back into excellent health.
Images
Once your dentist has examined your mouth in person, your dental team will take some images of your mouth and jaw. This will help give your dentist a better understanding of the condition of your oral health and your bones so he can determine if you’ll need any preliminary treatment before you are ready for dental implants.
Jawbone Evaluation
Next, your dentist will examine your jawbone and make sure it’s strong enough to support your new dental implants. If it’s not, you may require a bone graft procedure first. In some cases, you may not qualify for dental implants at all. If this is the case, your dentist will be happy to recommend some other tooth replacement options such as dentures or dental bridges.
Discussion of the Treatment Details
Now that your dentist has a complete picture of the condition of your smile, he can delve deeper into the dental implant process. He will go over any preliminary treatments you may need, which lifestyle changes you should make, and a timeline for how long you can expect your treatment to take from start to finish.
Pricing and Payment
Once you know all the steps involved in your treatment, your dental team can discuss the cost of your treatment. Though most dental insurance plans won’t cover dental implants, they may cover a portion of your pre-treatment. Your dental team can explain your benefits at this time as well as provide you with any financing options accepted at the practice.
Pre-Treatment Instructions
Once you have signed on the dotted line, the real journey begins. But before you get started, your dentist will provide you with a list of important guidelines to follow before and after your dental implant treatment. These include things like quitting smoking, and important aftercare instructions for healing from dental implant surgery. Be sure to follow these instructions to a T, as they have been carefully designed to ensure your implants are as successful as possible.
Remember, your dental implant consultation is the first step on your way to a healthy, beautiful smile. This important appointment was designed to teach you all about the dental implant process and make sure your mouth is healthy enough to support your new prosthetics. It’s also a perfect opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns with your dentist. Don’t wait to get the smile you deserve! Schedule your dental implant consultation with your dentist today!
About Dr. Kramer
Dr. Paul J. Kramer is passionate about helping his patients protect their teeth and gums. Whether he’s providing a valuable preventive exam, an emergency treatment, or restoring your smile with the help of dental implants, he believes that dentistry is about the whole body, not just the mouth.
To schedule a consultation for dental implants with Dr. Kramer, please contact Kramer Dental today by visiting our website or calling us at 302-436-5133.