If you have gaps in your grin and are thinking about getting dental implants, your first step is to consult with a skilled and experienced local dentist.
In Matteson, Illinois, turning to the professional team at Progressive Dental & Associates is a smart move – and since we want every patient to feel confident in their decision on tooth replacement, we’re always happy to answer questions.
During your initial dental implant consultation, the dentist will be focused on formulating a plan of treatment. After taking your medical history, conducting a thorough oral examination and getting a panoramic x-ray, you’ll discuss the recommended plan. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions, and doing so can help ensure you’re well-informed and comfortable with the treatment approach. As for what to ask, here are a few questions you might want to include on your list.
What Is Your Experience in Dental Implant Placement?
Dental implant placement is complex, beyond the scope of the typical general dentist in Matteson or any other suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Visiting a local prosthodontist, or prosthetic dentist, is a better choice, as tooth replacement is the cornerstone of this dental specialty.
Hopefully, you’ve done your research and made an appointment with a prosthodontist with extensive experience in replacing missing teeth and restoring smiles. Still, asking this question first can help put your mind at ease. After hearing how many years the dentist has been placing dental implants, how often they complete tooth replacement procedures and how many are a success, you should feel good about moving forward.
How Long Will the Implant Placement Process Take?
The length of time between the day of the initial dental implant consultation and the day the tooth replacement process is complete varies from patient to patient. The Matteson dentist you visit will develop a personalized treatment plan, and that may involve:
· Deep cleaning, scaling and root planing or another gum disease treatment
· Gum graft surgery to cover exposed tooth roots and augment the gums
· Bone grafting to ensure the jaw has sufficient strength to support implants
· Tooth extraction to remove any teeth that are too damaged to repair
· Placement of the titanium implant and the permanent dental restoration
As for how long those steps take, the timeline differs with each patient. What we can say, though, is that gum and bone graft procedures are typically completed a few months prior to tooth replacement. Also, treatments for gum disease can take at least a few weeks.
On the other hand, with the right dental clinic, tooth extraction as well as placement of the dental implant post and the final dental restoration can take place on the same day. Here at Progressive Dental & Associates, we use CEREC® technology to ensure our patients leave with a permanently beautiful smile, without the need for temporary restorations and additional office visits. However, not all dentists in Matteson, Illinois, provide this service.
What Sedation Options Does Your Dental Clinic Offer?
Whatever procedures are part of your treatment plan, your comfort should always be a priority. Local anesthesia is typically used during dental implant placement procedures, but while this helps prevent discomfort by numbing the nerves, it doesn’t do much in terms of helping patients relax.
Fortunately, dentists who specialize in tooth replacement are usually open to using other forms of anesthesia. At Progressive Dental & Associates, we know that sedation dentistry and dental implants go hand in hand, and that being the case, we use advanced sedation solutions to keep our patients comfortable. Depending on your level of anxiety and the complexity of your dental implant treatment plan, one of the following might help calm your mind and ensure you have a positive, pain-free experience:
- Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, a mild form of sedation that replaces feelings of fear and anxiety with a sense of well-being
- Oral sedation, which provides a moderate level of sedation and makes patients feel at ease, even groggy enough to fall asleep
- Intravenous (IV) sedation, known as twilight sleep or sleep dentistry, keeps the most anxious of patients relaxed and in a sleepy state
Each option has its pros and cons, and the right choice for you will depend on your situation. During your initial dental implant consultation, you and your Matteson dentist will come to a decision together regarding the level of sedation you need.
Contact Progressive Dental & Associates Today
If you’re considering dental implant placement, you likely have plenty of other questions. Contact Progressive Dental & Associates in Matteson, Illinois, and you’ll get expert answers and advice from a team of friendly and knowledgeable professionals. Whatever your concerns, we’re here to help, and no question is ever too stupid or absurd – if it’s important to you, it matters to us, so ask away!
At our Matteson dental clinic, we provide a range of specialized services to patients across Cook County. Turn to us for dental implants, you’ll have one of the few prosthodontists in the state of Illinois handling your tooth replacement. And, the skill, knowledge and expertise of our entire team means we can achieve the best possible smile makeover results.
For more information on dental implant placement, or to schedule a consultation with a friendly, highly experienced dentist, contact our office in Matteson, Illinois, today!
