Careful planning is an essential part of dental implant treatment
Successful dental implant treatment starts long before the implant is placed. My first priority is to understand what you would like to achieve and then assess whether implants are the most appropriate way of achieving it.
Assessing your teeth, gums and bite
I will examine your remaining teeth, gums and the way your teeth meet together. It is important to consider the whole mouth rather than simply looking at the space where a tooth is missing.
The position of the final replacement tooth or teeth also helps determine where an implant should be placed.
Assessing the available bone
There needs to be sufficient healthy bone in an appropriate position to support a dental implant. X-rays are used as part of this assessment and, where appropriate, three-dimensional CBCT imaging can provide more detailed information about the amount and position of the available bone and surrounding structures.
If there is insufficient bone, this does not necessarily mean that dental implants are impossible. Depending on the individual situation, different implant sizes or positions may be considered, or bone grafting may be appropriate.
Planning the final result
Dental implant planning is not simply about finding enough bone in which to place an implant. The position of the implant needs to be planned with the final crown, bridge or other restoration in mind.
This means considering appearance, function, your bite, how the restoration will be cleaned and how it can be maintained over the long term.
Your treatment plan
Once I have gathered the information I need, I will discuss my findings with you and explain the treatment options available, including any alternatives to dental implants.
You will have the opportunity to ask questions and understand the proposed stages of treatment before deciding whether you would like to proceed.
I have been placing dental implants since 1988, and careful treatment planning remains one of the most important parts of achieving a predictable, functional and maintainable result.