If you are missing a tooth or several teeth, you should meet with a dentist to see whether dental implants are a good option for you or not. Dental implants are often considered one of the best options for tooth replacement these days, and they work very well for many patients. Here are a few things that are helpful to know before your dental implant consultation.

Your dentist will ask about your overall health

You may not be used to your dentist asking you questions about your overall health and health history, so it may seem a little strange to talk with them about these things at first. But analyzing your overall health and health history is necessary for your dentist to determine whether or not you're a good candidate for implants. Generally, they will specifically ask whether you have certain conditions like diabetes or autoimmune diseases. Be honest and thorough in your answers. While these conditions do not always mean you won't be a candidate for implants, they may mean your dentist wants to send you in for additional tests and evaluations before deciding to go ahead with the procedure.

You may need a bone graft

Your dentist will take x-rays as a part of your implant evaluation. The key goal of these x-rays is to determine whether or not you have enough bone tissue to support an implant. The implant needs to be well anchored into plenty of bone in order to be stable in your jaw. If you don't have enough bone in your jaw, then your dentist may recommend a bone graft. This is a procedure in which the bone will be transplanted into your jaw. You can have an implant surgery a few months after the graft, once it has stabilized in your jaw.

You'll have to schedule several appointments

People sometimes assume getting dental implants will be a one-appointment event. But this is not generally the case. Assuming your consultation goes well, you will likely be prompted to schedule two or three appointments to have your implants inserted. At the first visit, the screw-like implants will be placed in your jawbone. At the next appointment, an attachment piece called an abutment will be added. At the third appointment, your dentist will place a crown on the implant.

With the knowledge above, you should be better prepared for your dental implant consultation. This is a good opportunity to learn if you're a candidate for implants and ask any questions you might have about them. Contact a local implant dentistry clinic to learn more.