Adult tooth loss is still very common, especially among patients with a tendency for periodontitis or tooth decay. While preventing damage with regular visits to the dentist is always the most effective course of action, if you must get a tooth extracted, following up with dental implant surgery can be the best way to restore your smile.
Dental implants offer several benefits: durability, strong materials, and ease of eating and speaking. Still, embarking on the path of implant procedures requires comprehensive preparation, and a crucial step in this journey is pre-surgery tests. Here, we'll tell you what to expect from the preoperative process.
Why Are Diagnostic Tests So Important Before Dental Implant Treatment?
As with any surgery, thorough planning and preparation are essential for a successful dental implant procedure.
Before surgery, patients must undergo a thorough preoperative dental evaluation so that we can map out the health landscape of their mouths. By doing this, we can improve the process and draw attention to any possible problems that might occur during dental implant surgery, such as illnesses that interfere with healing.
Seeing the condition of your jawbone and surrounding tissue will enable us to plan every aspect of the implant procedure precisely. Overall, these tests provide a more precise road map for everything from scheduling appointments to post-surgery instructions, like how often you should come for checkups and what foods to embrace.
Step 1: A Thorough Consultation
Consultation is the first step in any implant procedure. Although it might not seem like much, this step is essential because it enables us to fully comprehend your difficulties, learn about your dental history, and develop a treatment plan that meets your needs.
Together, we can discuss all of your options for treating your dental issues, including All-On-4® restorations, overdentures, and bridges supported by implants. We will go over everything in depth so you can decide with knowledge.
We will also inquire about your lifestyle and medical conditions to provide the best guidance possible. If dental implants seem like the solution to your problems, the next step is a thorough clinical consultation.
Step 2: Dental X-Rays
Planning for dental implants requires accurate knowledge of the condition of your jawbone. Dental X-rays provide a great deal of detail, which aids in determining the size and location of anatomical structures like the alveolar nerve and maxillary sinus, and the height of bone available for implant placement.
If the jawbone's density is insufficient, we might need to perform extra procedures, like bone grafting. Moreover, they'll give us the exact position of the remaining teeth to help determine the size of the implants and where they should be placed.
Furthermore, X-rays can detect infections in the tooth's root or decay that might not be visible in the mouth, such as beneath a filling. Before receiving an implant, it is essential to make sure your mouth is healthy and clean.
Step 3: Computed Tomography (CT) and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Scans
More sophisticated imaging methods are occasionally required to measure bone width. We will request CT scans in these situations because they can yield more accurate information.
- CT scans give a three-dimensional picture of the jaw, neck, mouth, and teeth. These scans allow us to virtually map the optimal placement of dental implants and measure the amount and quality of bone. Additionally, in complex cases, CT scanning aids in identifying and avoiding important structures.
- On the other hand, CBCT scans use an X-ray tube and detector panel, which rotates around the patient. As a result, the scanner's size, radiation exposure, and scanning time are all decreased. It can also collect data using a cone-shaped X-ray beam.
Using CAD/CAM planning software, the CBCT scan data is transformed into a three-dimensional virtual model that helps dentists develop a treatment plan in which the implants are positioned precisely and optimally.
Step 4: Blood Tests
Despite their apparent simplicity, blood tests may also be necessary because they can yield a wealth of important information. They aid in detecting possible infections or other pertinent conditions that may affect the post-implant healing process.
This is especially important for patients with preexisting conditions that can impact the implant healing process, such as diabetes or other immunological diseases.
Step 5: Treatment Plan and Cost Estimate
Finally, after all the tests are finished and we have confirmed that your mouth is healthy enough to receive implants, we will create a personalized treatment plan and discuss the deadlines, expenses, and consent paperwork with you.
Spend some time asking any questions you may have at this point. We will also go over payment options and pricing structures before scheduling additional appointments to start your treatment.
The Role of Preoperative Dental Evaluation
As you can see, dental evaluation is one of the most important factors in the success of implant surgery. Overall, the key role of your pre-operative process should be:
- Examine in Detail: This assessment examines the general health of your oral cavity, including the jawbone, gums, and other areas.
- Evaluate Suitability: Several variables, including the density of the jawbone, healthy gum tissue, and previous dental restorations, influence compatibility for the dental implant procedure.
- Assess Bone Health: If the jawbone is not dense enough, a dental bone graft may be necessary. By stimulating natural bone growth, bone grafts lay the foundation for a stable replacement tooth.
- Outline the Procedure: Understanding the condition of your natural teeth and any prior dental work helps the dentist plan the surgical procedure.
Get a Successful Dental Implant Surgery with Experienced Oral Surgeons!
Dental implants are an unparalleled restorative dentistry treatment. Unlike bridges and dentures, implants attach to your jawbone, imitating a natural tooth's structure and offering enhanced durability like no other dental method. However, for the same reason, they require detailed surgery and several health checks that need to be met beforehand.
Failure to undergo these studies can result in a failed implant and even a dangerous infection, so check whether or not your dental professional requires all the needed studies. Without them, they won’t be able to come up with a successful treatment plan.
If you have doubts about it, reach out to Butura Oral and Dental Implant Surgery for a more intricate assessment and implant placement!
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