Need dental implants? Make sure you find the right dentist

If you’re missing teeth, dental implants are an investment in your smile’s future. But as a complex procedure, and an alternative to bridges and dentures that should last you a lifetime, that makes investing in the right dentist all the more important.

Look at your dentist’s training and experience

First and foremost, you want to know that your dentist is knowledgeable and skilled. So make sure you choose someone who is not only properly trained but also has plenty of experience placing dental implants. Ask your dentist for his/her educational background and inquire about the number of successful implant procedures he/she has performed. While any general dentist can legally perform the procedure, you’ll want someone with a
proven track record. Dr. Cureton, for example, is proud to offer procedures that are normally referred to specialists, and he has extensive experience with implants.

Ask for before and after photos

Seeing is believing, so the next step is to ask for before and after photos from real cases your
dentist has encountered. If they’re experienced, they should have an album you can review.
You can specifically ask to see pictures from cases most similar to yours.

Do you feel comfortable?

It’s also essential that you trust the dentist you choose. So ask yourself, “Is the staff friendly? How do I feel when I’m in the office? Am I comfortable asking questions and do I feel like I get satisfactory answers?” It’s critical that you feel like you can answer any of these questions positively. If you can, it’s a sign that you’re with a practice that is high-quality and committed to providing you with a great and safe experience.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Don’t just stop with asking yourself the aforementioned questions. Make sure you ask your dentist plenty of questions, too. Starting by inquiring into your dentist’s experience and training is the first step. But consider also asking questions like, will other team members be a part of the procedure,
how long will the dental implant procedure and recovery process take, what kind of follow up is involved, do you have reviews that can be shared? Now is the time to ask any and all questions so that you feel completely comfortable in making your decision.

If you’re ready to get the ball rolling with these tips at your disposal, feel free to contact Dr. Cureton at his Salinas office to set up an appointment. He and his staff want to provide you with the best information and treatment so you can be on your way to a better smile.