Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to restore smiles after tooth loss because, unlike dentures and bridges, they include a support rod that’s surgically placed in your jaw. This eventually fuses with the bone to become a more permanent part of your mouth, which often makes this treatment more reliable and longer lasting than the alternatives.
However, you must consult your dentist to ensure you’re a good candidate before proceeding. If you’re unsure what to expect from your initial appointment, continue reading to learn more about what typically happens at these visits!
Step #1: Updating Medical History
Potentially, anyone missing teeth might benefit from getting one or more dental implants, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best solution for everyone’s individual circumstances. This service requires oral surgery, so before you can continue, your provider must update your medical history and list any current prescriptions or supplements you take regularly to help determine whether you can safely undergo the procedure.
This is an essential part of the process and helps them avoid doing anything or providing any medications that might cause adverse effects.
Step #2: Discussion & Examination
Next, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums and discuss their findings with you. They’ll also take the time to listen to your questions, concerns, and smile goals to help determine whether getting dental implants is the best way to meet your unique needs.
If they find any pre-existing oral issues, such as gum disease, they’ll need to treat it before proceeding with implants to avoid potential complications.
Step #3: Imaging & Evaluation
Your jaw must be sufficiently strong to support your new teeth and prevent potential failure, but it starts to thin after tooth loss, so your dentist will also need to take X-rays or other images to measure your bone density and verify whether it’s thick enough. If it’s not, don’t lose hope! In some cases, an additional bone graft procedure is required to bulk it up sufficiently to continue with dental implants.
Step #4: Treatment Plan
Finally, your dentist will provide a customized treatment plan based on their findings to help you meet your smile goals. If they determine that dental implants are a good fit for you, they’ll walk you through the details of the procedure for your approval before scheduling next steps.
If you’re questioning whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants, you can find the answers you seek by consulting your dentist directly!
About the Practice
Patients at Baltimore Dental Arts benefit from a team of dentists passionate about helping them improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. They collaborate to offer a complete menu of services, including dental implant placement and restoration, conveniently under one roof. They take the time to get to know you, then utilize advanced technology to deliver accurate treatment plans tailored to meet your unique needs. If you’ve lost one or more teeth and want to rebuild your smile, you can request an appointment on the website or call (410) 372-0202.