What To Expect At Your Consultation

CT scanning before implant procedure identifies nerve trunk and sinus structures

A CT scan provides us with valuable information about your bone structure and suitability for dental implants. While photographs can show us the visible placement of the teeth, only a CT scan will allow us to see what’s beneath the gums. The CT scan helps us determine the quality and thickness of the jaw bone, so we know if it’s strong enough to support implants in its current condition.

The scan will also show us where your nerve trunk is located in the lower jaw and how close your sinuses are in the upper jaw. When placing dental implants, it’s important for us to locate and avoid these during the implantation process.

There is a $100 charge for the CT scan, so you should be aware that the scan is not included in the complimentary consultation. This cost is less than you’d pay elsewhere because we can do it in-house. This scan is the next step in assessing your implant needs and eligibility and the CT scan is also required if you want to proceed with an implant procedure. In other words, the scan is a required step in both assessing your case, as well as for proceeding with your case. So, the scan is a separate charge for a required service that is not included in either the complimentary no-obligation consultation of your options or in the cost of an actual implant procedure.

At Apple Dental Implant Centres we will provide you with a clear treatment plan and cost estimate.

After we’ve completed your CT scan, we can provide you with a detailed assessment of your individual case. We can let you know whether you’re a good candidate for implants, how many implants we would like to place, and what the process will be for those implants. A straightforward case can typically be handled in just four months from start to finish.

At this point in the process, we will provide you with a treatment plan and cost estimate. This breaks down what you will need to pay and when these payments are due. Typically, patients pay for each service as it is rendered. Getting dental implants is a two-step process, so you would pay only for the implants themselves when they are placed. Crowns are added later. You will not be expected to pay for the crowns until they are placed, approximately four months after you get the implants.

At Apple Dental Implant Centres we use a dynamic guide to direct the drill when we are placing your implants. This provides exact placement. While some dentists prefer to freehand the placement process, we believe that working with a guide offers better accuracy and patient safety when drilling around nerve trunks or sinuses.

It takes about four months for the bone to heal around the screw we implant. Once the healing is complete, you will return for your crowns.

Some patients require additional procedures before we can place the implants. If the bone is too thin, we may need to perform a bone graft to widen or thicken it. If your sinuses are too low, we can perform a sinus lift to move them out of the way. These procedures typically add two to four months to your total process time when getting dental implants.

Tooth extractions are often needed before placing implants as well. In some cases, we can place the implant immediately after the extraction, handling it all in one visit. If there is an infection, however, we will delay implant placement for six to eight weeks to allow the infection to clear.

Every case is different, so we strive to provide you with the personalized information you need to make the best decision for your individual case. If you’re ready to learn more about getting dental implants, book your no-obligation consultation to discuss your implant options.

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