When you were looking at your options to replace missing teeth, did dental implants stand out to you? They are the gold standard as they replace the entire tooth structure, preventing jawbone loss and restoring your bite power. However, before you can get them, you have to have a thorough consultation first. But what exactly happens during this appointment? Continue reading to get a gist of what to expect during this visit.
Oral and Overall Health Assessment
Some things that your dentist will look at are your mouth and your medical history. By looking at your oral health, they can see how your smile is holding up and if you have any dental problems like gum disease. Any issues like these can get in the way of a successful treatment and cause the implant to fail.
Chronic health conditions that you have, such as diabetes, can also affect your immediate eligibility. If it’s unmanaged, then you will first have to maintain it, as the healing process can be affected.
Imaging and Treatment Plan
Since dental implants are placed in your jawbone, your dentist will want to ensure that it’s dense enough to support them during the fusing process. To see the health of your jaw, they do so with advanced imaging techniques. You will likely have X-rays and a cone beam CT scan done. With the information gathered, the best spot to place the implant will be found, and whether there is enough jawbone density will be determined.
If your jaw could use some reinforcing, then don’t feel discouraged. You may still be able to get this tooth replacement after you undergo a bone graft. This will help rebuild your jawbone in the areas that need it, letting it support dental implants!
Any other treatments you need beforehand will also be laid out. For instance, if you have gum disease, then you’ll have to deal with that first. It can be easy to view these as “extra” steps, prolonging your time from getting dental implants. But to counter that thought, you can think of these as ways to ensure a successful placement that will last you a lifetime!
Ask Any Questions You Have
Not only is this consultation a great way to find out your candidacy for dental implants, but they are an excellent way for you to learn more about the dentist, timeline, risks, and results. Be sure to ask any questions you have or if you want further clarification. This is an investment in your smile, so you should feel confident about the entire process. Many people find it helpful to start making a list of questions and concerns they have.
This is the first step of replacing your missing teeth, you should feel excited! You are on your way to learning how dental implants can benefit you to give you a smile that lasts a lifetime.
About the Practice
At Heart of Texas Smiles General & Cosmetic Dentistry, you benefit from a team of compassionate dentists who are dedicated to you and your oral health. We want you to feel confident in your grin, so we are here to help you replace missing teeth with dental implants.
Our goal is to make the process easy for you by happily answering your questions during an in-depth consultation and doing the entire treatment under one roof. You won’t need to drive elsewhere or work with a team you don’t know. To learn more about how we can help you, schedule an appointment or call us at (254) 203-9662.