EVALUATION FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS

Upon arrival at our office, you will be asked to complete or provide:

• A medical/dental history form
• A list of medications you are currently taking (Prescription, Over-the-Counter, Supplements)
• X-rays from your Dentist
• HIPAA form (Patient Privacy Act)
• Patients less than 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

Dr. Eskow will discuss the reasons you are seeking implant dentistry. He will then perform a clinical examination, which includes oral cancer screening and an evaluation of the tissue and bone in the area where teeth are missing or are about to be lost. Because of Dr. Eskow’’s expertise in Oral Medicine, an emphasis is placed on evaluating medical conditions that influence implant success. Furthermore, discussion with your dentist and other diagnostic tests may be necessary before the final treatment can be decided.

The ideal candidate for a dental implant is in good general and oral health. Adequate bone in the jaw is needed to support the implant, and the best candidates have healthy gum tissues that are free of periodontal disease. If there is insufficient bone for implant placement, there are techniques available to predictably rebuild the bone, allowing for implant placement.

During the evaluation, factors that might interfere with a successful result will be discussed. These include dental disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, medications and smoking.

This process includes studies that determine the feasibility of implant placement and if there is a need for additional procedures to compensate for insufficient bone in order to achieve proper esthetics and function. Therefore, a CAT or Cone Beam scan may be necessary to assess the quality and quantity of bone available. Dr. Eskow’s office is equipped with the necessary software to analyze a CAT or Cone Beam scan and plan the optimal surgical placement of an implant. In addition, the restorative dentist may create a prototype of the final tooth form. When all this information has been gathered and analyzed, the details of the treatment course will be discussed.