Are you ready to replace your missing teeth? Dental implants represent the strongest, longest-lasting, and most reliable way to rebuild lost dentition. How can you get started with treatment? The first step is to attend a consultation with a qualified implant dentist. In this blog post, you will learn the basics of what to expect during this key appointment.
Review of Your Medical History
Your medical history will play a key role in your treatment plan. Be sure to thoroughly and accurately answer all questions that your dental team asks you about current and past diagnoses, previous procedures, medications, and more. Things like supplement use, the use of tobacco and alcohol, and the use of any other recreational drugs should be disclosed. Remember, the goal is to give your care team the information they need to provide safe and effective treatment.
Oral Exam & Imaging
Your dental team needs to understand the current state of your oral health. To that end, you can expect them to examine your mouth and look for signs of issues like gum disease, infections, damaged teeth, and more.
You may also need to undergo a quick and painless CBCT scan. This machine uses a cone-shaped beam of radiation to capture images of your jawbone, nerves, connective tissues, and more. This data is important in helping your dental team know if your jaw can support implants and exactly where those implants should be placed.
Treatment Expectations
Once your care team has gathered adequate information, they can start to formulate a treatment plan. They may tell you:
- Whether you need preparatory care before you can get dental implants. For example, you might need a bone graft, tooth extractions, or gum disease treatment.
- An estimated timeline for your treatment. From start to finish, the process may take several months to a year or longer.
- Important financial information. They can provide a cost estimate and help you understand payment options, such as insurance and financing.
Q&A
You should feel free to ask questions during your consultation. You can ask your dentist to define key terms, what you can expect during your recovery, how you can minimize the risk of dental implant failure, and more. Being well-informed can help you make wise choices about your treatment and allow you to feel confident about the road ahead.
Depending on the details of your case, you can expect your consultation to last an hour or so. Hopefully, you will leave the appointment feeling optimistic about your path toward renewing your smile.
Meet the Practice At Torrington Dental Care, our team is proud to provide start-to-finish dental implant services in a welcoming environment. We combine advanced technology and refined skills to optimize patient outcomes. We are also pleased to offer FREE smile makeover consultations, which includes dental implants. To learn more about us or to request an appointment, contact our office at 860-259-4073.