Questions to Ask at a Consultation for a Dental Implant
A dental implant consultation offers you the opportunity to learn more about dental implant treatment for teeth replacement and to personalize your treatment plan according to your individual needs, preferences, and treatment goals. This review discusses questions you should consider asking during your consultation visit.
Five questions to ask a dentist about dental implants
It is beneficial to make a list of questions to ask your dentist about dental implants before your consultation. The five questions below should help you gain more information that allows you to make the most educated decision possible about the best way to replace missing teeth.
What is the current status of my periodontal health?
A prerequisite for dental implant treatment is that the patient must have good periodontal health. This means if the patient has periodontitis, then the dentist may recommend treatment to get it under control before the placement of the dental implants. In other instances, the patient may also need to address issues of lost bone tissue inside of the jaw, which can result from bone atrophy as a result of the loss of teeth or periodontitis.
What procedures and treatments will be involved in my treatment plan?
If the patient does not have optimal periodontal health (or oral health in general), then additional treatments may be added as a part of the treatment process. Specifically, patients may require one or more of the following:
- Scaling and root planing
- Bone graft procedure
- Tooth extraction
The dentist may also recommend treating additional concerns as well, such as root canal therapy or dental fillings to address decayed or infected teeth that do not require extraction and replacement.
How long does the average dental implant procedure take?
The dental implant process takes between six months on the faster side to more than a year for longer procedures. The length of time is largely dependent upon what procedures are necessary and how long it takes for the mouth to heal after each procedure.
What can I do to prepare for each step of the process?
The dental professional should provide detailed instructions on how to adequately prepare before each procedure involved in the dental implant process. Since one or more surgeries are required, it is important to closely follow the preparation procedures that are provided by the dentist.
What can I expect long-term after the process is complete?
Although the process takes longer to complete, the patient is able to enjoy a beautiful smile that looks and feels natural for decades to come. There are also no special care requirements afterward either, and the patient can protect their restoration as if it were natural teeth.
Are you ready to schedule a dental implant consultation?
Here at our dental practice, we offer dental implant restoration for patients that are missing a tooth, a section of teeth, or that require full arch replacement. To schedule your consultation visit at a convenient time, call our friendly dental staff or send us a message today.
Request an appointment here: https://palmbeachinstituteofdentistry.com or call Palm Beach Institute of Dentistry at (561) 429-2196 for an appointment in our West Palm Beach office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Implants in West Palm Beach, FL.