 If you’re considering dental implants, you’re on the path to a confident smile and a strong, healthy mouth. But before we get into the actual implant procedure, there are a few steps to make sure an implant is the right choice for you. Let’s walk through it! 1. EVALUATION YOUR OVERALL HEALTHDental implants are a long-term investment, so it’s essential that your overall health is ready to support them. A strong immune system and good bone health will help with healing after the procedure. Certain medical conditions, like uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune diseases, can complicate the process. We’ll also check your lifestyle and habits—if you smoke, for example, it’s best to cut down or quit before considering implants, as smoking can slow down healing and affect how well the implant fuses with your bone. Some medications to treat Osteoporosis also cause complications when considering dental implants, but not impossible 2. ASSESSING YOUR DENTAL HEALTHFor implants to work, your gums and jawbone need to be in great shape. If you have gum disease or infections, we’ll address those first, since healthy gums provide a good foundation for the implant. We’ll also examine your jawbone to make sure it’s strong and dense enough to hold an implant securely. If it’s not quite there, we might look into a bone graft—a common and effective way to build up the bone where needed.  3. SCANNING & PLANNINGBefore any implant surgery, we take a detailed CBCT scans. This helps us get a precise picture of your mouth, including bone structure, nerve positioning, and sinus placement. We want to ensure that everything goes smoothly, and these scans help us plan exactly where the implant will go. It’s like mapping out the best spot for a foundation before building a house! 4. MAKING AN INFORMED DECISIONOnce all of this groundwork is done, we’ll discuss your options together. We go over any alternative treatments with you and address any questions. Implants are a fantastic solution, but it’s important you feel confident about the decision. With the right planning and prep, you’ll have a solid foundation for a long-lasting implant. STAY TUNED FOR PART 2
where we’ll talk about what to expect during the implant process itself and how to keep your new implant in top shape for years to come!
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 I’ve had many conversations with patients about their dental treatment needs, and one topic that comes up frequently is dental insurance. While dental insurance can be a valuable resource, there’s an issue I see far too often: Your health insurance deciding what dental treatment they will cover and what they won’t. Why should your health insurance decide what dental treatments you can have and not a dental expert?  INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE NOT DENTAL EXPERTSWhen it comes to deciding what treatments are covered, health insurance companies are making those decisions based on their own business policies, not based on what’s best for your oral health. Insurance companies are managed by people who may have no background in dentistry, yet they are making decisions about whether or not you can receive certain treatments. Your health should be in the hands of healthcare professionals, not the people balancing the books at an insurance company.  INSURANCE LIMITS DO NOT REFLECT YOUR NEEDSMost insurance plans have coverage limits and restrictions. They may only cover certain types of treatments up to a specific dollar amount per year. This can be problematic because your dental needs are unique, and one size does not fit all. For example, most insurance companies will cover only a single crown each year but you might need 2 due to an injury. They will not cover the second crown even though you might have never claimed one before. The problem is, your oral health needs should never be compromised because of a financial cap.  INSURANCE COMPANIES PRIORITISE SHORT TERM SAVINGS OVER LONG TERM HEALTHHealth insurance companies often focus on cost-saving measures that may seem beneficial in the short term but can be harmful in the long run. They might deny coverage for a treatment that can prevent more serious problems in the future. For instance, catching and treating a small cavity now is much less costly (and painful) than waiting for it to turn into a root canal or extraction later on.   DELAYS IN DENTAL CAREWhen your insurance decides which treatments to cover or how much they will cover, it often means delays in getting the care you need. This could happen because you have reached the cap of dental treatment that they will cover for the year, and so many patients will wait till insurance benefits reset before proceeding with treatment. In the meantime, your condition could worsen.  YOUR DENTAL HEALTH SHOULD BE A PRIORITYWhile health insurance can be a great help, remember that it doesn’t always prioritize your dental health in the way you or I would. Dental treatments should be decided between you and your dental professional not by your health insurer. Check regularly what your dental insurer will cover and ensure that you are taking advantage of it.  IS DENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE WORTH IT?In 2023 health insurance covered on average 50% of all treatments. You know you're going to need one or two dental check-ups a year. Extras cover can help you budget for that, and ideally reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. In other words, the trick is to pay less in premiums than you get back in benefits. If you're just going to use it once or twice a year when you visit the dentist, save your money and just pay for it directly. THE OTHER OPTION TO HEALTH INSURANCEInstead of purchasing extra insurance, consider setting aside those funds in a personal healthcare savings account. By saving the money yourself, you gain the freedom to spend it on the treatments and care that you decide are necessary, without having to rely on an insurer’s coverage restrictions or approvals. This approach allows you to prioritize your healthcare needs directly, ensuring that your choices, not insurance company policies, dictate your care. If you would like to arrange an appointment or if you have a questions please send us a message :)
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DR STEVEN CLUBBDentist and owner of Clubb Dental who has been helping people from the western suburbs of Brisbane for over 18 years. Archives |
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