Dental implants have helped over 3 million people get their smiles back, and every year another 500,000 patients opt for this beneficial restorative dentistry procedure.
The process of getting dental implants is very safe, but it is a more intensive procedure compared to something routine, like getting a cavity filled. To get the best experience possible, you want to pick a dentist that’s both skilled with dental implants and makes you feel comfortable in their chair.
Before you start looking for a dentist, it’s a great idea to familiarize yourself with how dental implants work and the process of getting one. Knowing what to expect can ease dental anxiety and help you feel more confident when speaking about dental implants with a prospective dentist.
Most patients will find that getting dental implants isn’t really a complicated process but, rather, one that takes longer than other dental procedures.
There are six main steps for getting a dental implant:
The exact process of your dental implant placement may skip a step or have an additional step. For example, you may need a bone graft if you’ve experienced bone loss in your jaw, or your dentist may combine your abutment placement during the implant placement.
From start to finish, it can take anywhere from three to nine months between your initial consultation appointment and having a 100% healed dental implant. This is a fairly long time for a procedure, and it means you’ll be visiting the dentist you choose quite a bit. You’ll also be trusting them and their experience to guide you through every step of the process.
You can never be too picky when it comes to who you trust with your oral health, and this couldn’t be more true than when it comes to choosing a dental implant dentist.
It’s also a good idea to ask general questions about the dental office, such as:
Asking plenty of questions is an important part of choosing the best dental implant dentist for you. At First Dental Associates in Reading, MA, we love answering our patients’ questions and helping them learn more about our office practices, as well as specific procedures like dental implants.
While you’re searching for a dental implant dentist in Reading, MA, it’s a good idea to look for online patient testimonials.
Back in the day, you’d have to rely on word-of-mouth recommendations and your own intuition when it came to choosing a dentist. Thanks to the internet, it’s easier than ever to look over unbiased reviews from real patients talking about their experiences with your prospective dentist.
While you’re reading patient testimonials, look for trends in patients’ experiences. If you see multiple testimonials citing compassionate care, friendliness, and professionalism, chances are that dental office will make you feel very welcome.
“Everyone is so friendly, welcoming, and pleasant to work with. Carol makes you feel like family as soon as you walk in, Sue is a fabulous hygienist, and Dr. Sadeghi is very approachable and knowledgeable.”
—cathlinl (First Dental Associates Patient Testimonials page)
You can also look for patient testimonials from long-term clients, as it shows that the level of care given by the dentist is very high if they’ve retained so many patients throughout the years.
“I’ve been a patient of Dr. Sadeghi’s for more than 15 years, and at First Dental since they opened. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. Just excellent, always, and incredible people as well.”
—Joe Musolino (Google review)
First Dental Associates proudly offers compassionate dental care to individuals and families in the Reading, MA, community.
Our team will guide you through the process of getting dental implants, from consultation and planning to implant placement and after-care support while you heal. Our menu of dental services also includes other forms of restorative care, cosmetic dentistry, routine preventive care, and more. That means, even after we help you get your smile back with dental implants, you can continue to visit us for all of your dental care needs.
When you’re ready to take the first step and book a dental implant consultation, you can either give our office a call directly or fill out our online appointment request form.