Were you aware that by age 50, Americans have lost an average of 12 teeth? As a result, about three million people currently have dental implants. The number is growing rapidly each year.
If you recently lost a tooth, consult an implant restoration dentist. They can help you review your implant options before restoring your smile.
Not sure which dentist to choose? Read on for the nine tips you need to select a great dentist!
1. Gather Referrals
Consult friends and family members in Northern Kentucky. Ask if they’ve needed implant dentistry in the past few years. If they have, ask about their experience as a patient.
Your questions may include:
- Was the dentist knowledgeable?
- How long have they practiced?
- What types of dental implants do they offer?
- What other services do they offer?
- Did you experience complications?
- Did you encounter problems with the dentist?
Learn as much as you can about implant dentistry. This will help you manage your expectations before the procedure. Hearing from firsthand accounts can help you determine if it suits your needs.
Gathering referrals will help you build a list of dentists to research further. Look for dentists that have already established themselves in the area.
Their reputation can speak to their ability to meet your needs and goals. To find a reputable dentist, read patient reviews online. Check each dentist’s profile on Yelp, BBB, Google Business, and Healthgrades.
Make a note if problems repeat between patients. For example, maybe the practice was dirty and unhygienic.
Maybe the dentist or their staff was unprofessional. Perhaps there were long wait times and a packed waiting room. If multiple patients encountered these problems, you may as well.
Instead, look for a dentist who strives to offer patients the highest standard of care. These dentists prioritize patients at every step of the process.
2. Check Credentials
Before choosing an implant dentist, confirm that they have an active license to practice in Kentucky. Avoid dentists who won’t provide proof of their credentials.
Confirm their information by visiting each dentist’s Healthgrades.com listing. Determine where they went to school and when they graduated. Make sure they have a diploma from an accredited dental institution.
The highest certification for implant dentistry is the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry’s Diplomate designation. The ABOI/ID strives to elevate standards and advance the science of the field.
To become a Diplomate, dentists must be a DMD or DDS. They must complete continuing education classes totaling 670 hours.
Prioritize finding a dentist who has continued their education annually. These professionals keep up with advancements in their field. They’ll consider new techniques and technologies while offering services.
Dental teams that continue their education meet higher standards of care. They won’t use outdated practices.
3. Evaluate Experience
Don’t hire an inexperienced implant dentist. Instead, find someone with years of dental care experience.
Over 183,000 businesses employ over one million professionals in the US dental industry. The industry has grown by 2% since 2019. These new employees lack relevant, hands-on experience treating patients.
Ask each dentist how often they complete implant dentistry procedures. Consider the types of dental implants they specialize in providing.
Determine when they last completed this procedure. If it wasn’t recently, continue your search.
Consider each dentist’s success rate. How often do patients experience complications? Dental implants have a 97% success rate.
Implants are the most advanced solution for replacing missing teeth. If the dentist’s success rate is significantly lower than average, continue your search.
4. Schedule a Consultation
Schedule a consultation appointment with three local dentists. Allow them to assess your teeth. They’ll help you determine if you’re an ideal candidate for treatment.
Ideal candidates must have a healthy enough jawbone to maintain the implant. Otherwise, you may need a bone graft first. Your dentist will also confirm that you’re free of periodontal disease.
For this procedure, you need at least one or more missing teeth. How many teeth you’re missing will determine the scope of the procedure.
Ask them to walk you through the procedure. Make sure they review the possible risks.
5. Explore Other Dental Care Services
Your dentist may recommend other services if you’re not taking care of your teeth and gums. Remember, you can’t receive implants if you have periodontal disease. If your gums aren’t healthy, the dentist may recommend other dental care services first.
Ask how these treatments will affect your implant dentistry treatment timeline.
Your dentist may recommend dental bridges or dentures as alternatives to implants. Bridges are false teeth anchored in place by your existing teeth. A crown is placed atop them to replace your missing teeth.
Dentures are false teeth. They’re removable (while implants aren’t).
6. Discuss Implant Options
The dentist’s assessment can help the dentist determine what types of dental implants to recommend.
For example, you may only need one implant. If you’re missing multiple teeth, you may need all-on-four dental implants.
The two main types are endosteal and subperiosteal implants. The former is placed in your jawbone, while the latter is placed atop your jawbone.
7. Consider Location
You’ll need to schedule multiple appointments to receive your implants. They’re spread across a three- to nine-month period.
Determine where each dental practice is located. Find a practice near your home, work, or school for convenience.
8. Review Before and After Photos
Ask the dentist if you can see before and after photos of their recent implant patients. These photos will help you manage your expectations. You can see how your smile will improve after your implant surgery.
9. Compare Costs
Costs will vary based on how many teeth need replacing. Your dentist’s location may play a role.
Request estimates from three local practices. Compare costs and determine if any practices offer payment plans.
Choose Your Implant Restoration Dentist
Finding an implant restoration dentist in Northern Kentucky shouldn’t be stressful. Use these nine tips to find the best dentist in the area. Relying on their services will allow you to restore your smile.
Instead of hiding a gap, you can start grinning with renewed confidence. Trust our team at Toothologie. We have treatment options for every smile.
You can depend on our friendly staff, state-of-the-art facility, and years of industry experience. Contact us now to schedule your appointment.
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