Dental implants are considered to be the best replacement option for most missing teeth. However, not everyone is a candidate for this procedure. If you are missing teeth and thinking of having them replaced with implants, you will first need to schedule a consultation appointment with a dentist who specializes in placing implants. Here's what you can expect during that appointment.  

X-Rays

During your consultation appointment, you can expect to have more x-rays taken of your mouth than ever before. In order to ensure that you are a good candidate for implants, your dentist (such as one from Morrison Dental Group) needs to get a comprehensive view not only of the area where you're missing a tooth, but of the rest of your jaw as well. If your tooth has been missing for a while, the other teeth in your mouth may have begun to shift, and your dentist will need to analyze the severity of this shifting to ensure there is room for the implants. The x-rays are also used to ensure your jaw bone is thick enough and properly shaped to support the implants.

Health History

Implants are inserted through a surgical procedure. Thus, it is important for your dentist to ensure that you are healthy enough for surgery. He or she must also make sure your body is capable of healing after the implants are put into place since the healing process is what will "fix" the implants into your jaw bone and give them stability.

Expect to be asked a lot of questions regarding any possible immune disorders you have been diagnosed with or that run into your family. Your dentist will also want to know if you are a diabetic, and if so, how well your blood sugar has been controlled over the years. This is because patients with diabetes and immune conditions tend to be slower healers and are thus not always candidates for implants. If you do have a chronic health condition, your dentist may need to consult with your primary care physician to determine whether or not implants are a wise choice.

Discussing Your Options

If you are not a candidate for implants, your dentist will tell you this and will likely also suggest an alternative means of replacing your tooth, such as a bridge. If you are determined to be a candidate for implants, then your dentist will tell you a bit more about the procedure, as well as how long the healing process is expected to take based on your age, health, and the location of your implants. If you will need supplemental treatments, such as a bone graft, in order to ensure the implants are successful, your dentist will explain these procedures to you as well.

A dental implant consultation should be a fairly low stress appointment. Unless you have ongoing health issues that warrant a discussion between your dentist and doctor, you can plan on leaving knowing whether or not implants are an option for you, and what, exactly, you can expect from the procedure.