Matters Discussed in the First Implant Consultation

The dental implant treatment involves much more than the surgical procedure, the actual placement of implants into the jawbone. Prior to having the implants placed, there will be an implant consultation which aims to prepare the patient in the best way possible, so that he or she will have a clear vision of what the procedure will involve. The first implant consultation paves the way towards the actual surgical procedure wherein the dental implants are embedded into the jawbone, before the teeth replacements can be connected to them.

The initial consultation is when the patient will be introduced to the dental implant dentist. This introduction is necessary to give the patient a chance to feel comfortable with the implantologist before the surgery. The implantologist will encourage the patient to ask as many questions as he or she wants, so that matters about the implant treatment will be clearer before the start of the treatment. Patients will also be prompted to share their goals and expectations about the entire treatment, so that the implantologist can take these into consideration as the treatment plan is formulated. The initial consultation will not be a one-sided lecture, and the patient is encouraged to give as much input as possible to help with the course of the implant treatment.

The first consultation may also involve obtaining of CT scans or digital images of the patient’s teeth, mouth, and jawbone. These diagnostics will help the implantologist in determining the course of treatment to be followed for the patient’s specific case and implant needs. The images and what they mean will be discussed with the patient, as part of giving a clear vision of what the implant treatment’s goal will be. The patient’s medical and dental history will also be thoroughly documented, to help with the overall assessment of the health status. The dental and medical history will also help determine the patient’s suitability for a dental implant treatment.

After getting diagnostic images and the patient’s comprehensive medical & dental history, the implantologist will then discuss the options available for treatment. The suitability for the implant treatment will also be addressed, including comprehensive information about the steps of the particular implant procedure involved. A detailed report will be given to the patient so that he or she can review the information, which can lead to an informed decision about the procedure. A treatment plan will be provided, and will include other information such as payment terms to help the patient prepare even better for the dental implant treatment.