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Dental technology and practices have seen massive improvements in the last century. Methods that used to be impossible are now possible due to various technological developments.
Among these important breakthroughs are dental implants. Who would have that a century ago that a person who has lost all his teeth can get a fresh set that can last him a lifetime, and will feel and work like his own natural teeth? This used to be just a fantasy, but now it’s a commonly performed dental procedure.
While a lot of people have successfully gotten this restorative solution, it is crucial to learn as much as you can about dental implants if you are considering it for yourself.
Learn what to expect, how much it would cost, and how to recover fast after undergoing the oral surgery required for it. This way, you can make sure that your consultation with your dentist is as informative as possible.
Questions to Ask
For such a consultation, it’s essential to come prepared with the right questions. To help you out with this, listed below are six of the vital questions to ask your dentist.
1. How long has the dental team been performing this intricate procedure?
It is essential to find out how experienced the dentist, and the rest of the team are in performing dental implant surgery. You want to make sure that when you get the procedure, you are in capable hands that are quite familiar with the process. Knowing the extent of their expertise and experience will also help ensure your comfort and safety.
Do inquire about how successful the dentist has been with the procedure. His success rate is an indication of how safe and satisfied you will be with the dental work. After all, dental implants do not come cheap.
2. What are the preparation requirements?
Any procedure that includes surgery involves proper preparation, and this is different for every patient.
Some patients need to undergo other dental procedures and medical treatments first. There are also those who need to make lifestyle changes, such as giving up smoking. Meanwhile, others just need to boost their immunity level by improving their diet and taking vitamins.
Discuss what kinds of preparation you must make with your dentist to ensure not only the success of the procedure but also your comfort.
3. Are there risks to getting dental implants?
You cannot simply take the words of the people you know who have gotten dental implants because your experience will surely be different from theirs. Get information about the risks straight from your dentist and learn to distinguish between the truths and the myths.
Once you learn about the risks that are unique to your case, your dentist can recommend the best ways to mitigate them.
4. How long will the procedure take?
It helps to get a good estimate of how long the procedure will take, especially if somebody will be accompanying you. Typically a single implant will only take about 20 minutes. However, for a full set, it can take several hours.
5. What should you expect in terms of pain level, how long will the recovery period be, and what can you eat after the procedure?
Most of the answers your family and cosmetic dentist will give you are going to be specific to your case. However, whatever they may be, they will surely help you to physically and mentally prepare. For instance, if you need energy because you are a mother of a young toddler, you will receive advice on nutritious food you can eat easily while you are recovering from getting dental implants.
6. What type of anesthesia will be used?
There are different types of anesthesia used for dental implants. The type that will be used on you will depend significantly on the complexity of your case, as well as your threshold for pain, how conscious you want to be during the procedure, and whether or not you have a companion to drive you to and from the dental office.
You Learn What to Do When You Ask
These may not be all the questions you need answers to from your dentist, but they are the perfect starters for your consultation if you have concerns about getting the procedure.
The key here is to not hesitate in voicing out your queries. The more you know, the better prepared you will be for this important dental health and cosmetic investment.
