The 5 Parts of A Dental Implant Consultation

If you’re considering replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, one of the first things you’ll do is schedule a consultation with your dentist. This probably seemed simple at the time, but now that the day of your appointment is getting closer and closer, maybe you’re starting to feel a bit nervous. You’re just not sure what to expect!

Don’t worry – for the most part, a dental implant consultation is in fact very simple. It can be broken down into 5 different parts, each of which revolves around making sure you and your dentist are on the same page.

1. Meet Your Team

First, you’ll meet your dental implant treatment team. These professionals will guide you through the entire process of restoring your smile, so you can expect some pleasantries and introductions. Take some time to get to know them, and don’t be afraid to ask them about their experience!

2. Discussing Your Health History and Vision

Next, you and your dentist will sit down in a room to review your health history and discuss your vision for your smile. You might talk about things like whether you’re concerned about the strength of your jawbone, how your missing teeth have been affecting you, and what you hope to achieve with a dental implant restoration. It might seem like “background info,” but trust that it’s all an important part of the planning process!

3. Oral Exam

Once your dentist gets a sense of your health history and treatment goals, they’ll perform a thorough oral exam, which will include highly advanced X-rays. This will help them determine where your oral health is at now, and what (if any) preliminary treatments might need to be included in your plan. Basically, they’ll start piecing together how to go about achieving your smile goals.

4. Treatment Planning

Your dentist will review their exam findings with you, and this is when you’ll work together to finalize the details of your dental implant treatment plan. You’ll discuss whether gum disease therapy, bone grafting, or other such procedures are necessary to promote the success of your restoration. Scheduling concerns and cost expectations will be covered during this time as well.

5. Q&A

After all the puzzle pieces of your treatment plan come together, your dentist will wrap-up the consultation by giving you the opportunity to ask questions. You may find it helpful to come prepared with a list of pre-written questions, and to take notes as you go.

The Q&A doesn’t mean the line of communication between you and your dental implant team is closed. They’ll still be available to address any questions or concerns you might think of after your consultation. At the end of the day, their goal is to help you feel more confident in your treatment plan, so don’t hesitate to get in touch over the phone!

About the Author

Dr. Chitra P. Naik has been helping patients near Flint take care of their smiles since 1995. She actively pursues advanced training opportunities to keep her skills sharp, and partners with local implant specialists to ensure her patients receive the best care possible. Rest assured, Dr. Naik will be attentive during your dental implant consultation and will make sure all of your questions, concerns, and treatment needs are addressed. To contact her office and schedule an appointment, call 810-235-5422.