3 Questions To Ask Your Implant Dentist Before Surgery
Now that you've decided to go ahead with implant surgery, there are a few important questions you should ask your dentist or implant dentistry services provider before scheduling your surgery. Here are just a few that should be added to a list of your own questions:
Are You Credentialed?
One of the most important questions to ask your implant dentist before your scheduling your appointment is whether they are credentialed, and if so, what kind of credentials they have. If your dentist has AAID credentials, for example, you will have the peace of mind in knowing that they have the experience and training required to ensure your safety as well as a successful surgery outcome.
Ask your service provider for a list of their credentials so you can verify their validity and learn more about what each one entails. You should also find out whether the dentist has lost any credentials in the past, and if so, why.
Who is Your Support Team?
It is also a good idea to find out who your implant dentist's support team will be so you know exactly who will be responsible for your safety during surgery. Schedule a consultation appointment so you can meet the support staff in person before your surgery takes place. This should help you feel more comfortable and secure on surgery day.
Learn where everyone on the support staff was educated and what kinds of licensing they hold. Also, find out how much experience each person has to ensure that you're not the first or second patient they have ever worked on. Your dentist and everyone on their support team should have extensive experience working with implant patients by the time they work on you.
Do You Offer Recovery Support?
Even if you expect a quick and easy recovery after implant surgery, your dentist should be able and willing to provide you with full support throughout the process. In addition to providing you with written instructions on how to care for yourself in the days after surgery, your dentist should be available to answer your phone calls and emails in a timely manner while you recover.
If you have a question or concern, you should get the answers you need right away. And if you have to leave a message, you should expect a call back within 24 hours. Your dentist should also allow you to make a last-minute appointment for extra support if you need it, even if they typically require a few days' notice.