How to Plan for New Dental Implants

Dental implants are a great invention that many people consider every year instead of dentures. However there are a few things you should know before you decide.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Research Skills
• Money, Money and did I mention money?
• Patience

1. 

   The first thing you are going to have to do to prepare for new dental implants is find a qualified dentist that can perform the procedure. New dental implants requires surgically implanting a screw like rod into your jaw bones. Needless to say you do not want someone who attended a weekend seminar doing this procedure. Ask about a dentists qualifications and possible references. In addition you can check the Better Business Bureau for unresolved complaints. Of course ask around among friends and family as well, word of mouth is the best advertisement! (no pun intended)

2. 

   Now that you have found the proper dental professional it is time to go in for your first visit. Do not be alarmed at this point all the dentist is going to do is look at your teeth and tell you whether you are a good candidate for new dental implants.

3. 

   Once your x-rays and other diagnostic tests are complete your dentist will then discuss with you some options for new dental implants. These will include whether you are opting for a single replacement or multiples, if you need bone grafts to build up the jaw bone and approximate time for healing and completion of your new dental implants.

4. 

   Any extractions, bone grafts or lip positioning will be done before your new dental implants are begun needless to say, so be prepared for a prolonged series of treatments if you fall in any of the categories that need these procedures.

5. 

   Finally the day will arrive when you actually begin the implant procedures. If you are only replacing one or two teeth your overall time from beginning to end will be much less than someone who needs many or all of their teeth replaced by new dental implants. Be prepared to see your dentist quite frequently!

Tips & Warnings

• If you smoke STOP, number on reason implants fail is because of smoking
• Take your time deciding, these are permanent!
• Many people are choosing to go to Mexico for these procedures since the cost is much less, be very careful if you consider this avenue there are horror stories coming from other countries.

Resources

• Cosmetic Dentistry Information

[LS01]

on 11/13/2009 Really helpful info on getting dental implants.

[goodselfme]

on 7/31/2009 I had implants and you describe the proceedure well.5*

[jenng]

on 6/10/2009 Great article on dental implants 5*

[xrayness]

on 6/3/2009 Excellent article; especially the tip to stop smoking.