Congratulations! You’ve already taken the first big step towards restoring your smile with dental implants by scheduling a consultation. Now, you’ll want to gather all of the information you need to help determine if this is the right treatment for you. The best way to do this is by coming prepared to your appointment. That way, you can get your lingering questions answered and feel confident moving forward with the next steps of the process. Read on for five questions to be sure to ask during your dental implant consultation.
Do you have specialized training for dental implant placement?
Did you know that any dentist can call themselves an “implant dentist” because it’s not one of the 12 dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association? This means that your dentist may refer to themselves in this way, but they may not have much experience placing or restoring dental implants. That’s why it’s a good idea to ask your potential dentist about their unique experience and training, so you can ensure that you’re receiving high-quality care.
What is your treatment success rate?
Dental implants have an impressive success rate of around 98 percent after five years. Knowing this fact, it’s a good idea to ask your future dental implant provider about what their success rate is after five years of placement. This can help you determine whether they’re qualified and skilled enough to take on your smile restoration case.
Do you offer any type of payment plan?
Dental insurance companies typically don’t cover the cost of dental implants, which means that you’ll need to be prepared to pay for each part of your treatment out of pocket. Unless you’ve had the opportunity to save for your procedure, it’s likely that you’ll need to sign up for financing through a third-party company, like CareCredit. Make sure that the dental office that you’re planning on going to works with financiers to help make the process smooth and budget friendly.
How long will the treatment process take?
Every dental implant treatment process is different, which is why it’s a good idea to discuss what your unique timeline will look like. If you have an upcoming important event, like a wedding, it’s a good idea to know these details and inform your dentist of a deadline so they can plan your procedure around it. However, it’s important to note that in many cases, you’ll want to be prepared for the process to take longer than six months.
How long will the placement procedure take?
If you’ve never had to undergo dental surgery before, you may be nervous about your dental implant placement. Asking questions about what this part of the procedure will look like, including asking how long it will take, can help ease some of your anxiety by preparing you for what to expect.
About the Author
Dr. Waheed has over 15 years of experience as well as extensive additional training in procedures such as dental implant placement and restoration. He is a member of the renowned American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Spear Education, and he’s dedicated to staying up to date with the latest advancements in his field. For questions or to schedule your dental implant consultation, visit Baldwin Family Dental’s website or call 850-215-0128.