Dental implants are incredible prosthetic devices that are surgically placed in the jawbone, where they naturally fuse with its structure through the process of osseointegration. This allows them to support lifelike replacement teeth that look exactly like the real things and can exert almost all of their chewing power. However, dental implants are not for everyone, so you’ll need to have a consultation with your dentist to be approved for the treatment. Here’s what will probably happen during this meeting.
A Thorough Oral Examination
Your oral health is one of the most important factors in your candidacy for dental implants, so your dentist will thoroughly inspect your teeth, bone structure, and soft oral tissues for any infections. If you have tooth decay or gum disease, it will have to be resolved with restorative treatments or periodontal therapy before the process can proceed. If your jawbones are too thin to support implants, your dentist may be able to refer you to a specialist who can reinforce them with bone grafts so you can replace your teeth later.
A Review of Your Medical History
Your dentist will also evaluate your medical history and list of medications to check for any potential complications. Certain medications like blood thinners can make it harder for your mouth to heal after oral surgery, and health conditions like pregnancy, hemophilia, cancer, and diabetes may also interfere with the recovery process. None of these factors will necessarily exclude a patient from receiving dental implants, but their treatment plan will have to be designed appropriately.
Planning Your Treatment
After determining that you can be a suitable candidate for dental implants, your dentist will be happy to design a customized treatment plan. If this requires preliminary treatments like restorative dentistry, gum disease therapy, and bone grafts, you will need to fully recover from these procedures before your implants can be placed. Once your mouth is in good health, your dentist will be able to schedule your placement procedure.
The best type of restoration for you depends on how many teeth you are missing and where they are located. Single teeth can be replaced with crowns, several teeth in a row can be replaced with bridges, and full arches of teeth can be replaced with dentures. Your dentist will also determine the best location and angle at which to place your implants to ensure maximum security and leverage.
Your dental implant consultation can be an exciting and informative step toward a beautiful and complete smile. Knowing what to expect during this meeting can give you some peace of mind and help you better understand the process.
About the Author
Dr. Carlisle Vason earned his dental degree at the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University before completing his Advanced Education in General Dentistry at the Charlie Norwood VA hospital. He currently serves as a member of the American Dental Association, the Georgia Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry. His office in Atlanta offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To schedule your dental implant consultation, contact his office online or dial (404) 367-9799.