Working With My Dentist
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Working With My Dentist

A few years ago, I realized that I was thinking about dental care all wrong. Instead of listening carefully to my dentist and making the necessary changes, I assumed that he was ultimately responsible for making sure that my teeth stayed healthy. Unfortunately, I developed a few serious cavities because I failed to properly brush and floss my teeth, and I knew that it was my fault. I decided to start taking notes at my dental checkups and carefully abiding by the dentist's orders. The difference was almost miraculous. This blog is all about working with your dentist to improve your result.

Working With My Dentist

Need Dental Implants? 4 Considerations to Make When Choosing a Dentist to Work With

Siiri Puro

If you're looking for a tooth replacement solution that's more natural looking than dentures, dental implants can help you gain a brand new smile that improves your overall look and improves your self-confidence. The most important thing to consider when choosing to get dental implants is the dentist you'll be working with, as this will help ensure that your needs and expectations are met when all is said and done.

Take the time to consult with a few dentists in your area that have reliable and trustworthy reputations, and then decide who you want to ultimately work with. Here are a few things to consider when deciding which prospective dentist is the one for you:

Implant Options

It's important that the dentist you decide to work with offers multiple implant options so that you're able to customize your treatment to meet your specific needs and preferences. In addition to endosteal implants which are adhered inside the jawbone and subperosteal implants which are connected to the top of the jawbone, there are other implant options that you should have access to such as:

  • A combination of bridges and implants for full-mouth reconstruction.
  • The inclusion of crowns to complete a partial or full-mouth tooth replacement plan.

Ask each dentist you consult with to break down the specific options they offer when it comes to dental implant treatments. Get the options in writing so you can take them home, learn about them, and decide which dentist offers exactly what you're looking for.

Service Timelines

Getting dental implants is a multi-step process that involves preparing the jawbone to hold the implants and then setting the implants in place so they can heal and function as natural teeth would. It's important to inquire about service timelines when consulting with prospective dentists so you know what you can expect throughout the process if you choose to work with any particular one of them.

Some dentists may want to schedule all the appointments you need at one time so you have a schedule to abide by and can prepare accordingly. Other dentists have a full schedule and aren't prepared to schedule all your needed visits at once, as their schedules may be too full at the time of your initial appointment. Because of this, it's important to talk to each dentist about their schedule availability and estimation for how long it will take to complete your dental implant procedure before deciding who to work with.

Payment Options

Insurance companies don't typically cover dental implants unless there are special circumstances surrounding the reason for your tooth loss or you've got a killer insurance plan that happens to provide a little financial support for the procedure. Even if you do have coverage for dental implants, chances are that you'll end up having to pay for at least some of the expenses out-of-pocket.  Make sure you get a quote for the implants in writing during each consultation with a prospective dentist, and ask about payment plans that are available so you know what your financial options are ahead of time and can plan accordingly.

Aftercare Support

The dentist you decide to work with should provide you with a complete aftercare support package that will help ensure a smooth healing process and a lifetime of optimal performance. Talk to each prospective dentist you consider working with about the aftercare process and how much of a role they intend to play. Will there be follow-up visits to rely on?

Who can you call for support if you have concerns after surgery, and how long should you expect it to take for a response if you have to leave a message? Make sure your chosen dentist will provide you with an aftercare package that includes step by step instructions for things such as what to eat for the first few days as you heal, and how to properly care for your teeth as time goes on. 

To learn more about your options, contact services like Central PA Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons LLC.


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