You’re tired of seeing that empty gap where your tooth used to be, fed up with getting food caught there and seeing a dark hole every time you look in the mirror. After doing some research on dental implants in Manchester – being impressed by their long lifespan and firm stability – you’re now ready to make your first appointment. The only problem now is: how do you choose the right dentist in Stockport to tackle it?
Your choice of dentist matters!
When it comes to the actual dental implant itself, you have nothing to worry about. In fact, dental implants in Stockport are one of the most reliable procedures in dentistry and carry extremely impressive success rates. Many dentists have been providing dental implants for more than 50 years now. In fact, as far as dental treatments go, it’s one of the more popular but least risky procedures out there.
That being said, no matter how tried and tested dental implants may be, they still involve surgery – and one that not just any dentist can perform. Unless your dentist has received specific training on placing dental implants and routinely performs this procedure, they most likely aren’t a good pick.
Once you’ve made the decision to have implant-based restorations, you’ll no doubt want to make sure that the time and money you invest pays off. The best way to do this is by choosing the right implant dentist because it can mean all the difference between a successful or failed implant and ultimately the health of your teeth and gums.
So how can you make the best choice? To help, we’ve put together a few questions that you should ask your dentist in Stockport at your first implant consultation…
7 questions to ask your dentist:
The key to finding the right implant dentist is to hunt down the perfect combination of training, experience, and good reviews. After all, remember you’re not just paying for the implant itself, but the training and expertise of the surgeon too! At your next consultation, put your dentist in the hot seat with the following questions:
1. What are your qualifications?
Don’t be afraid to ask this! A professional and highly educated dentist will be happy to explain their qualifications and training. You’re ideally looking for a dentist in Manchester that specialises in implants – so ask where they trained and how long for. It’s handy to know that learning how to fit dental implants isn’t a requirement at a dental school, this training is undertaken separately – so if you’re not getting clear answers to your question, alarm bells should start ringing.
2. How much will my treatment cost?
Your dentist should always be transparent and upfront about the cost that your implant treatment will involve. The price of implant dentistry can vary – after all, it depends mainly on your individual cases, such as how many implants you’ll need – but make sure that you get hold of a detailed breakdown of your treatment plan and all associated costs in writing. Take the time to check it carefully. Sneaky additional extras can often include x-rays, scans, bone grafts, sedation or temporary teeth. If needed, does your estimate include these?
3. How many dental implants do you place in a year?
This will give you a good idea of how experienced and knowledgeable the implant dentist is. Preferably, your chosen dentist will specialise in dental implants in Stockport and place around 200-300 each year, if not more. Fitting implants should be a large part of what they do on weekly basis – after all, there’s no substitute for experience.
4. Can I see before-and-after photos?
Any good implant dentist will be more than happy to show off their work. Ask to see some of their recent cases that are similar to your situation or have a look at the photo gallery on their website. It’s also a great idea to check out some of their online reviews too. What are other people saying about their experience or implant success rates? Although such reviews aren’t always credible, they’ll definitely give you a roundabout idea of what to expect.
5. Can I pay in installments?
When choosing dental implants, Manchester patients often need help managing the cost. Any well-established dental practice should offer financial assistance to help spread the expense over longer periods of time with interest-free plans. But make sure you check any terms and conditions of payment schemes before you start your treatment.
6. Will my implant treatment hurt?
If you’re an anxious patient, be honest with your dentist and tell them exactly what you’re worried about. A great implant dentist should have mastered a number of strategies to help patients cope with dental anxiety. Each stage of treatment should be discussed, along with anaesthetic or sedation options to help put you at ease. Don’t be embarrassed – trust us, you’re not going to be the first patient to be nervous about a dental surgery!
7. How long will my treatment take?
After an assessment, your dentist should be able to give you a thorough treatment plan and time frame for your Stockport dental implants. If time is of the essence, you may want to check if the dentist has any holidays or time off planned that would cause delays or whether the practice hours fit your work schedule.
Don’t just let any dentist try their hand at improving your smile – follow our suggestions and be bold about interviewing your dentist in Stockport. Our team here at Church Road Dental and Cosmetics understand that when it comes to dental implants in Manchester, no short-cuts should be taken and we’ll happily answer all questions honestly. With our vast experience and state-of-the-art technology, why not book a free consultation with us and feel free to fire away? Call us today 0161 486 0743
