Tooth loss is a common issue that people face. Approximately 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth while 40 million are missing all of their teeth. The good news is that you don’t need to spend the rest of your life with gaps in your smile. Dental implants are an excellent tooth replacement option because they have so many benefits. If you’re eager to get dental implants, here’s what you can expect during your initial consultation.

Examination

During your visit, your dentist will take the time to examine your smile. This includes your teeth, gums, and other areas in your mouth. They will also go over your medical history. If you have any preexisting oral health issues, like gum disease, they will need to be treated before your procedure takes place. Ultimately, this examination is necessary to ensure that your mouth is able to adequately support dental implants.

X-Rays

It isn’t possible for your dentist to know everything about your smile with the naked eye. That’s why they need to take X-rays. This will help them to determine how dense your jawbone is. If you don’t have enough bone density, you may need to undergo a bone graft before getting dental implants or opt for another tooth replacement option. Your X-rays are also used to determine precisely where your implant needs to be placed for the greatest chance of success.

Treatment Plan

During this time, it will be confirmed whether or not you would make a good dental implant candidate. If you do, your dentist will discuss your treatment plan with you in detail. This includes the length of treatment, how many appointments you will need, the types of sedation/anesthesia options that are available, recovery time, aftercare instructions, and what you can expect after the fusion process has taken place.

Ask Questions

Your dentist will go over all of your treatment options in detail. This is also the perfect time to ask any questions you have about the process, finances, or anything else you want to know ahead of time.

If you think of any questions after you leave the office, feel free to give the practice a call. It pays to be well-informed about the process and your expectation. Your consultation is the perfect time for you to learn more about the dental implant placement process and everything you can expect afterwards. You will have your smile back in no time!

About the Author

Dr. Greg Luk earned his dental doctorate from The University of Texas School of Dentistry in Houston and is committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. He has taken over 400 hours of additional training focused on numerous dental topics, including sedation, implant dentistry, oral surgery, cosmetic dentistry, and Invisalign. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Fort Worth Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry, and American Academy of Implant Dentistry. To learn more about dental implants or to schedule a consultation at his office in Fort Worth, visit his website or call (817) 292-5957.