What should I expect from my first consultation for dental implants?

Hello there,

Thank you for your enquiry! Usually a comprehensive consultation for dental implants would include first and foremost a thorough assessment of your medical health including the medications that you may be taking. This is important so as to ensure that you are medically fit for dental implants therapy.

Subsequently clinical and radiographic (X-ray, CT scan) examinations will be performed to check on the health of your overall dental teeth and gums and also the amount of bone left in the site that you are keen to replace with an implant. Bone grafting procedures may be necessary if you have insufficient bone in the intended implant site.

The dentist / specialist and you should have a discussion on all the clinical and radiographic findings and if you are in good dental health to proceed with implant therapy. Alternative treatment options should also be part of the consultation so that you know all your options and can make an informed choice of what therapy you would like ultimately.

I hope this information is useful to you and may you find a dentist / specialist whom you are comfortable with!

Best regards,
Dr Daylene Leong
Periodontist

Initial consults for dental implants differ from dentist to dentist. These differences are the result of differences in undergraduate training, postgraduate education, years of experience performing dental implant surgery as well as practice philosophy. Therefore, it is important that you ask questions to clarify doubts during the consultation so that you can make an informed decision.

In my practice, regardless of whether or not a case is easy or complex, I have found over the years that it is always best to be detailed and careful in the initial consult, and to never take short cuts in the treatment planning stage, to ensure the best possible result.

A typical initial dental implant consult in my practice would involve the following:

1. A thorough discussion about your medical and dental histories, especially regarding dental anxiety
2. Full frame DSLR intra-oral photography of all your teeth
3. A 3D intra-oral digital scan of your teeth and bite
4. Dental Radiographs : Dental Panoramic Xrays, Periapical Xrays and a 3D CT scan of the planned implant site to measure bone height, width and density.
5. A thorough check on your overall dental health and gum health.
6. A discussion regarding all available treatment options, other than dental implants
7. A discussion of risks vs benefits that is pertinent to the case and unique clinical situation.
8. A discussion regarding unique expectations and concerns

After the initial consult, you should feel that your dentist has presented the information to you clearly, in a way that is easy for you to understand and with all Pros and Cons discussed openly and honestly.