Although all of us would like to keep our original teeth until well into our old age, sometimes life has other plans. We might accidentally get a tooth or two knocked out or an advanced form of periodontal disease could result in us actually losing some of our teeth. And when one of these unfortunate things happens, something that our dentist might recommend is getting some dental implants; they are actually what’s currently considered to be the closest thing to having natural teeth.
If your dentist has mentioned this to you, we can understand why you might have a few questions. That’s why, over the course of the next couple of minutes, we’re going to share with you five things that you should consider before conceding to this kind of treatment. Check these things out below:
How long has the dentist been doing the procedure? When it comes to an outpatient procedure like getting dental implants, you want to make sure that you go with someone who is highly-skilled. This is why it’s important that you ask your dentist how long they’ve been putting dental implants in their patients’ mouths, along with what their formal training is. A reputable dentist will have absolutely no problem with offering you referrals upon request.
How many surgeries will be required? One assumption that a lot of people tend to make as it relates to dental implants on the front end is that they will be able to get all of the work done in one visit; however, that is not always the case. Depending on how extensive the work is that needs to be done, it could actually require you going a few times in order to complete the job. If your dentist believes that to be the case, don’t be hesitant about getting a second opinion. Just to be sure they are on the right track.
Will the dentist be using stents? Another question that’s important to ask is if your dentist will be using stents (or guides) when it comes to your dental implants. What a stent basically does is create a dialogue between the surgeon and your dentist so that the exact placement of your implant is clear; that way, you can be sure that your crown will be able to fit it perfectly.
What kind of sedation is offered? Say that you’ve recently had a consultation with a dental office about dental health tips as it relates to an advanced stage of gum disease that you have and they recommend that you get a dental implant procedure. Being that it’s somewhat invasive (when it comes to your gums), we also recommend that you ask them about what kind of sedation options are offered. You want to go with one that is effective and also affordable.
What is their success rate? And finally, one way that you can know that your dentist has a significant amount of success when it comes to their dental implant procedures is if you inquiry about what their success rate is. Our recommendation is you ask what it’s been over a 5-10 year span of time. For more information dental implants, visit AAOMS.org and put “dental implants” in the search field.