Everyone’s recovery and experience are different

If you recently decided to get a dental implant, you’ve probably done what many patients do: turn to a friend or consult Google to have some idea of what to expect. While this can be helpful in some ways, it’s important to remember that everyone’s experience can vary a lot! Your own experience and recovery time may differ quite a bit compared to that of people you know or stories you read online.

Each implant procedure is unique; there are many factors that can change your experience. For example, some patients’ implant procedures may be very straightforward; they may require only a local anesthetic to place the implant, ibuprofen to help with any pain, and may be ready to be back at work the next day. Other patients may need a more extensive procedure, such as bone grafting, to help the implant stay secure. A procedure like this could require a specialist surgeon and sedation, and the recovery time could be a few days. Your experience could fall anywhere in that range depending on your situation and the steps needed for your individual procedure.

With that in mind, it’s important not to rely on what you hear from others or read online when making up your mind about getting an implant, as it could be significantly different compared to your procedure. The best step after you’ve started considering an implant is to make an appointment with a proactive dentist who will take the time to consider your unique needs and give you a thorough treatment plan, so you know exactly what to expect.

3D imaging makes implants safer and more effective than ever!

Traditional 2D x-rays are incredibly useful when it comes to examining the structure of a tooth, but they fall flat when planning a dental implant; they simply lack the amount of detail needed. Thankfully, we have 3D scans.

Modern 3D imaging allows doctors to have a complete view of the structure of your mouth. Using the information from these scans, your doctor will be able to choose the right implant for you. They’ll make sure to choose one that’s the right length and shape while being sure to avoid nerves, blood vessels, and sinuses. They can even use the 3D imaging to create a physical guide tool custom fit for your mouth that will allow them to place the implant in the best possible spot.

3D imaging allows doctors to place implants effectively and predictably while keeping your procedure safe and free from complications.

You have options!

Believe it or not, when you decide to have a dental implant, you’ll have several options to choose from. You and your doctor can decide together how your new tooth will attach or whether it’s temporary or permanent. You’ll also be able to select the shade, so you’ll have a replacement tooth that matches your existing teeth perfectly.

It’s important to consider what’s important to you and what fits best with your lifestyle. What do you need to feel your best? Spend some time considering this and be sure to choose a dentist who will take the time to understand your needs and work with you to meet them.

Implants can be affected by overall health and medications

If you have a health condition or take medications, it’s important to understand that these can potentially affect your implant and delay healing. If you choose to have an implant, your body will need to heal properly around the implant to make sure that it will be stable for years to come.

So, it’s essential that you tell your doctor about any medications you’re currently taking, along with current and past medical issues you may have had. This includes medical conditions that aren’t related to your teeth!

Make sure you choose a doctor who spends time looking over your medical history and takes it into account when developing your treatment plan. Understanding your whole picture of health is crucial to ensuring you have a successful outcome with your dental implant!

Implant pricing can be complicated; visit an office that makes it easy!

A big question many patients have when considering an implant is pricing; how much will it cost, and what’s actually covered by insurance? The pricing for implants can be tricky because every procedure differs quite a bit. Some procedures may require additional steps, different tools, and different methods. Some people may have their implant put in right after the extraction of their original tooth; others may do it years later and require bone augmentation to help build up wasted bone and create a secure base for the implant to attach to. Additionally, an implant can have several parts that actually make it a replacement tooth, which can vary depending on your needs.

As you can see, there are a lot of factors that go into pricing, and many offices have separate pricing for all these. Trying to determine which of these individual things is covered by your insurance can be confusing – even with something as simple as sedation. Some dental insurers even have a “missing tooth clause,” which states insurance won’t cover an implant if the tooth was extracted prior to when the patient’s coverage began.

A dentist’s office can help make navigating insurance much easier and help you avoid any headaches. They can send a pre-estimate to the insurance company, so you can know ahead of time which parts of the procedure are covered. Some offices will also give you clear bundle pricing for all steps of the procedure, so you have a better idea of what costs what and why.

Patients should always understand the procedure thoroughly and understand the pricing of the procedure up front. Never start a procedure until you feel completely comfortable with the plan you and your doctor have come up with, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about the procedure or pricing.