Direct answer

Your first implant consultation should identify the diagnosis, determine whether the tooth can be retained, review your medical and dental history, examine bone, gums, bite, and restorative space, and discuss imaging, reasonable alternatives, risks, timing, materials, costs, and maintenance. It may take more than one visit to complete an individualized plan.

Key takeaways

  • Bring an accurate medication list and relevant medical and dental records.
  • The final tooth position should guide implant planning.
  • An implant is one option, not the diagnosis.
  • Material choice comes after anatomy and restoration requirements are understood.
  • You should leave knowing the next diagnostic step—not feeling pressured to decide.

Health, dental history, and goals

The team should ask about medical conditions, medications, allergies, prior surgery, gum disease, smoking or nicotine, diabetes control, grinding, healing history, symptoms, esthetic concerns, schedule, and material preferences. Do not stop medication unless the prescribing clinician directs it.

Clinical examination

The examination may evaluate the tooth or space, neighboring teeth, gum health, tissue thickness, bite, smile, restorative room, hygiene, and possible infection. Existing records and appropriate two- or three-dimensional imaging help evaluate bone and nearby anatomy.

Options and preliminary plan

Reasonable choices may include retaining the tooth, a bridge, removable replacement, orthodontic space management, implant treatment, or observation. If an implant is considered, the discussion can address timing, possible grafting, one- or two-piece design, titanium or zirconia, temporaries, restoration, and maintenance.

What to bring and ask

  • Medication and health-condition list
  • Prior imaging, treatment records, and implant information
  • Questions about alternatives, risks, timeline, components, and clinician experience
  • Your priorities for appearance, treatment stages, materials, retrievability, and cost
  • A request for written estimates and the assumptions behind them

Selected references

  1. International Team for Implantology. Implant placement and loading protocols: consensus statements. 6th ITI Consensus Conference, 2018.
  2. American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology. Selection criteria for the use of radiology in dental implantology with emphasis on CBCT. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology. 2012;113:817–826.