Having an upcoming dental implant consultation can be exciting – after all, you’re taking the first step to replacing your smile gaps with the most high-tech option available! To help promote a productive discussion, there are few things you should be prepared to bring to your appointment. A list of your current medications and supplements, for example, a detailed summary of your health history, and, of course, lots of questions.
If you’re struggling to think of questions to ask your dentist during your dental implant consultation, don’t worry. That’s what this post is for!
Will I Need Preliminary Treatments?
While the main point of your consultation will be to make sure you and your dentist are on the same page, they’ll also visually examine your mouth and take X-rays of your jaw. This is because depending on your oral structure and health, preliminary treatments could be an essential part of your treatment plan. Make sure you understand whether you’ll need a bone graft, cavity or gum disease treatment, or other such restorations before receiving your implants.
Do You Place Dental Implants In-House?
Most dentists feel comfortable with attaching the crown of your implants to the posts, but surgically placing the posts along your jawbone is a more complex process. Placement surgery is usually left to specialists like oral surgeons, prosthodontists, or periodontists.
Some offices have team members with seasoned implant placement experience, and some refer their patients to an external office. You’ll definitely want to know where you’ll need to go for your implant placement!
How Long Do You Expect My Treatment to Take?
Scheduling and treatment timelines will have a big impact on your dental implant experience. Because you’ll have to wait for your jawbone to fuse with your implant posts after placement, the entire process can take anywhere from 3 months to 1 year. Once they get a closer look at your mouth and jaw, your dentist will be able to give you a pretty good estimate of how long your treatment could take.
Are There Any Aftercare Instructions I Should Follow?
The answer is going to be a resounding “yes!”, but the point is to get an idea of how you’ll need to care for your implants. After placement surgery, your mouth will likely feel sensitive, and it’s very important not to disturb the implant posts while they fuse with your jawbone. Make sure you’re ready to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions!
Asking the right questions during your dental implant consultation can save you time and help make the process more convenient for you. But that doesn’t mean you can’t call your dentist if you think of more queries later! They want you to feel confident and comfortable with your treatment plan, so don’t hesitate to let your dentist know if you’re confused or concerned. They’ll make sure you’re well-informed.
About the Practice
At Penn Dental Arts, Dr. Ronak Patel and Dr. Joseph Gaspari combine their expertise to provide truly comprehensive dental care for their patients. Thanks to Dr. Gaspari’s skills as a periodontist, for example, they can perform the entire dental implant process entirely in-house – no external referrals needed! To schedule a dental implant consultation, contact Dr. Patel and Dr. Gaspari’s office at 484-821-2974.