Your first implant consultation
Dr Pushkar SobtiAll-on-X implantologist, Delhi
People are often nervous before their first implant appointment, and it's usually because they don't know what is going to happen. Some expect to be talked into treatment on the spot. Others worry they won't follow what the doctor is saying.
None of that should be a worry. A first consultation is mostly conversation and planning. Nothing is drilled, and you won't be asked to decide anything until you understand your options. This is how mine usually goes.
We start by talking
Before I look in your mouth, I want to know what's bothering you. Is it a gap that shows when you smile? A denture that moves when you eat? A tooth that has been aching for months? What you want from treatment shapes the whole plan, and two people with the same X-ray can need very different things.
I also ask how long the problem has been there, what has been tried before, and what other dentists have told you. If you've been told implants aren't possible, I want to hear why, because the reason tells me what to look for.
Your medical history
This part can feel like paperwork, but it matters. As I wrote in the post on who can get implants, diabetes, smoking, blood thinners, bone medicines and past radiotherapy can all change how we plan. So I'll ask about your general health, your medicines, any operations, and any allergies.
If you have diabetes, a recent HbA1c report is very useful. If you take medicines for osteoporosis or cancer, bring their names, and if possible the dates you started them. Most conditions don't stop treatment. They just need to be planned for.
Looking at your mouth
Then comes the examination. I check the gums for bleeding and pockets, look at the teeth that are left, see how your upper and lower teeth meet, and feel the shape of the ridge where a tooth is missing. I also look at your smile and how much of your teeth and gums show when you talk, which matters a lot when we plan front teeth or a full arch.
Sometimes the most important finding isn't the missing tooth at all. Gum disease around the other teeth, a cracked filling or a bite that's putting heavy load on one side all need dealing with, or they will affect the implant later.
The CBCT scan
For almost every implant patient, I take a CBCT scan at this visit. It's the 3D X-ray I described in the clinic tour, and it takes less than a minute. It shows the height and width of the bone, its density, and exactly where the nerve in the lower jaw and the sinus in the upper jaw sit.
I then go through the scan with you on the screen. Most patients have never seen their own jaw in 3D, and it makes the conversation much easier. You can see for yourself whether there's enough bone, and why I'm suggesting what I'm suggesting. The next post is all about this scan.
Talking through the options
By now I usually have a clear idea of what's possible. I'll explain the options, including the ones that don't involve implants, with what each involves, how long it takes, and roughly what it costs. If there is a choice between, say, a bone graft and a different type of implant that avoids one, I'll explain both and tell you which I'd choose.
You then get a written plan with a fixed cost, covering the implants, temporary and final teeth, scans and follow-ups. For patients coming from abroad, it also says how many days you will need to stay. You don't have to decide that day. Take it home, talk it over, and ask me anything that isn't clear.
Questions worth asking
A good consultation goes both ways. These are questions I'm always glad when patients ask, of me or any implant dentist:
- Which implant system will you use, and why that one?
- Will the surgery be guided from a digital plan?
- Will I have temporary teeth while it heals, and when?
- What exactly does the quoted price include, and what isn't included?
- What warranty is there, and what happens if something goes wrong?
- How many implants like mine have you placed?
Any implant dentist should be happy to answer these clearly. If you get vague answers, that tells you something too.
Before you come
Bring a list of your medicines, any recent blood reports, and any old X-rays or scans you have. Write your questions down, because it's easy to forget them once you're in the chair. And if you're travelling from outside Delhi or outside India, you can send your X-ray or scan on WhatsApp first. I'll look at it and reply within 24 hours, so you know what to expect before you book anything.
Questions
How long does a dental implant consultation take?
It depends on how much needs to be looked at. The conversation, the examination and a CBCT scan usually all happen on the same visit, so it's best not to book anything straight after.
What should I bring to my implant consultation?
A list of every medicine you take, any recent blood reports if you have diabetes or another condition, and any old X-rays or scans. Bring your questions written down too.
Can I have a consultation online before coming to Delhi?
Yes. Send your X-ray or CBCT scan and a few photos on WhatsApp for a free online assessment. I reply personally within 24 hours with an explanation and a plan.
Next · Thu 05 Nov
The CBCT scan: seeing your jaw in 3D. How it works, how much radiation it really involves, and what it shows that a flat X-ray can't.
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A walk through the clinic