Pre-Dental Implant Evaluation & Bone Density Scans
 Before beginning your dental implant journey, a thorough pre dental implant assessment is essential. These initial evaluations ensure that your oral health and jawbone structure can support implants, increasing the likelihood of long-term success. At Center for Advanced Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we focus on precision, safety, and personalized care to help patients take confident steps toward lasting tooth replacement.
Understanding the Importance of Pre-Dental Implant Evaluation
A successful dental implant begins with a carefully planned foundation. A pre dental implant assessment is the critical first step in the process. It allows our dental team to determine whether your mouth and jaw are healthy enough for implant placement and what preparatory steps, if any, are needed.
These evaluations include:
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Oral health diagnostics - Identifying any infections, decay, or periodontal disease that could compromise implant success.
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Implant suitability check - Assessing your candidacy based on bone health, gum condition, and overall oral wellness.
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Dental imaging for implants - Capturing detailed scans to visualize the jawbone, sinus proximity, and potential concerns. |
Not all patients are immediately eligible for dental implants. Conditions like bone loss, existing infections, or sinus placement can complicate treatment. However, identifying these issues early allows for targeted solutions—ultimately preventing implant failure and enhancing outcomes.
What Happens During a Dental Implant Evaluation
During your dental implant evaluation, our team conducts a full assessment of your oral health and medical background to determine the ideal treatment path.
Expect the following steps:
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Comprehensive oral exam - Evaluating your teeth, gums, and jaw structure.
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Medical history review - Understanding underlying health conditions or medications that could affect healing.
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Initial dental imaging - Using advanced technology to create visual records of your oral anatomy.
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Discussion of goals - Aligning your expectations with realistic, personalized treatment options. |
If untreated dental issues are present—such as gum disease—they must be addressed first. This thorough pre-implant dental screening ensures the safest and most effective placement timeline.
Bone Density Scans — Why They Matter
A bone density scan for dental implants is a critical step in evaluating the structural foundation needed to support implants. These scans provide key insights into the quality, thickness, and volume of your jawbone.
The jawbone plays a vital role in anchoring dental implants. However, after tooth loss, bone resorption begins, reducing the bone’s density and height. That’s where a dental bone scan becomes essential.
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Jawbone density test - Measures whether the bone can securely hold an implant.
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Detects bone resorption - Helps determine if bone grafting is necessary.
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Assesses bone quality - Ensures that implants are placed in the most stable areas. |
Even if bone loss is present, it doesn’t automatically disqualify you. With today’s advances in grafting procedures, many patients can become eligible for implants after targeted treatment.
CBCT Scans & Dental Imaging for Implants
For the most accurate treatment planning, a CBCT scan for dental implants is often used. This advanced imaging tool, also known as a cone beam CT scan, creates a full 3D view of your jaw and surrounding structures.
Compared to traditional x-rays, CBCT imaging provides far more detail, which is especially important when planning implant surgery.
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3D imaging of jaw anatomy - Visualizes nerves, sinuses, and bone dimensions with precision.
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Improved implant placement accuracy - Reduces surgical risks and improves outcomes.
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Minimally invasive and fast - The scan is quick and emits low radiation. |
By using dental imaging for implants like CBCT scans, our team minimizes surprises during surgery and ensures implants are placed with pinpoint accuracy.
Evaluating Jawbone Quality and the Need for Bone Grafting
When the dental implant bone check reveals insufficient bone density, bone grafting may be recommended. This procedure enhances jawbone structure, helping patients who were previously ineligible for implants.
Our dentists assess the need for grafting by examining both bone quantity and quality. If grafting is needed, several options are available:
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Autograft - Bone taken from your own body, typically the chin or hip.
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Allograft - Donor bone processed and sterilized for safe integration.
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Bone graft consultation - Helps develop a customized treatment plan with healing timelines and implant placement scheduling. |
After grafting, the bone must integrate and heal before implants can be placed. While this extends the timeline, it significantly boosts long-term implant success rates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pre-Implant Evaluations
FAQs
How long does the dental implant evaluation take?
Most evaluations take about 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of your oral health and the number of scans needed.
Is a bone scan or CBCT scan painful?
No, both bone density and CBCT scans are completely non-invasive and painless. They are quick and do not require any special preparation.
Will my insurance cover the evaluation and scans?
Coverage varies by plan. We recommend contacting our office to discuss your insurance details and verify what services are included.
What if I’m not a candidate for implants right away?
Many patients can still become candidates with additional treatment like bone grafting or periodontal care. Our team will guide you through the necessary steps.
How long after my evaluation can I get implants?
The timeline varies based on your oral health. If no preparatory treatment is needed, implants can often be placed within weeks. If grafting or other care is required, it may take several months.
Ready for Your Evaluation?
Your journey to a confident, restored smile begins with a pre dental implant assessment. With advanced diagnostics like CBCT scan for dental implants and jawbone density tests, Center for Advanced Periodontics and Implant Dentistry ensures every treatment is rooted in accuracy and care.
Call 508-996-3131 today to schedule your dental implant evaluation and bone scan consultation. Our team is here to support you at every step.
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