As you prepare for your dental implant consultation in Bonita Springs, it’s natural to have many questions about the upcoming process, timeline, and expectations once your new smile is in place. Choosing these permanent prosthetics is a big investment in your time and money, so you’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary information before committing to this life-changing endeavor. Here are four questions to ask your dentist that will help you feel more confident in your decision to choose dental implants.
What Makes a Person Eligible for Dental Implants?
When meeting with your implant dentist in Bonita Springs, they will not only thoroughly evaluate your entire oral cavity and facial structure using advanced technology, but they’ll consider three important factors:
- Your overall health
- Your oral health
- Your jawbone health
You should have no signs of gum disease or severe tooth decay, and you should be healthy enough to undergo minor oral surgery. Your jawbone should also be dense enough to support your implants and customized restoration. If necessary, you may be required to receive periodontal therapy, tooth extraction, or even a bone graft before moving forward with dental implant surgery. Also, you must have a healthy immune system so you can properly heal once your implants are firmly in place.
Will I Need a Referral to an Outside Specialist?
Each dental office has a process for dental implant placement and restoration. Some complete the entire procedure in-house while others partner with local specialists for the surgical portion. Ultimately, it is up to you as to how you want your new smile to occur, but many find it is much more convenient and comfortable to find a dental professional who places and restores dental implants. This also helps when it comes to billing, as you don’t need to worry about a separate fee for an outside specialist.
What Can Happen If I Choose Not to Replace the Tooth?
While you certainly have the option to forgo replacing a missing tooth, the truth is it will cause your oral health to deteriorate over time, worsening and leading to higher dental bills. Without proper stimulation, the jawbone weakens and can cause changes to your facial shape. This can result in looking much older than you are as well as the potential for systemic issues to develop (i.e., osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, etc.). By replacing your tooth or teeth with dental implants, you can take comfort knowing your smile is in much better shape.
How Much Time Will I Need to Take Off Work?
The average amount of time you’ll need to take off work for dental implant surgery is between 1-4 days. Much of it depends on how many implant posts you need to have put into place, if you require preliminary treatment, and how committed you are to the recovery process. It is strongly advised that you schedule your surgery in the days leading up to a weekend, so you don’t have to take as many days off work.
While these are only a few of the many questions you can ask, they will help you to feel more confident and comfortable in your decision to choose the gold standard for tooth replacement.
About the Author
Dr. Lacy Gilbert uses advanced dental technology (i.e., Cone Beam CT scanner) to plan for all dental implant placements. As a graduate from the University of Florida College of Dentistry, she completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) at UCLA and earned her Mastership in Dental Implants and Fellowship in General Dentistry. Her passion for rebuilding smiles is evident, as patients appreciate her careful touch, attention to detail, and ability to recreate beautiful smiles. If you’re interested in dental implants, visit the website or call (239) 948-2111.
