dental consultation

1. DENTAL
CONSULTATION

2. What is dental consultation?
 In a dental setting, a diagnostic service
provided by a dentist where the dentist,
patient, or other parties (e.g., another dentist,
physician, or legal guardian) discuss the
patient's dental needs and proposed treatment
modalities.

3.  A dental consultation is a non-invasive visit
with your dental care provider where you can
discuss your issues, concerns, and treatment
options. Many of our dentists offer free
consultations, though others do ask for a small
consultation fee to cover their time. If you’re
considering any major dental procedure, a
consultation is a good idea, and can be
important for several reasons.

4. Important reasons for dental
consultation
1. Exploring Your Options
2. Understanding the Procedure
3. Checking Your Eligibility
4. Providing Additional Care Tips
5. Exploring Payment Options

5. 1.Exploring Payment Options
 Most dental problems have a variety of
possible solutions. You should choose your
approach based on your budget, comfort level,
and cosmetic desires.
 If you’re scheduling dental restoration, you’ll
find that there are both direct and indirect
treatment options available.
 A direct restoration restores the existing tooth
by inserting a filling material into the damaged
area. Tooth fillings are available in several
materials. You can have a cavity filled with
gold, silver amalgam, porcelain, plastic,
composite resin, or a glass ionomer.

6.  An indirect restoration covers the damaged
tooth with an onlay, inlay, or crown. These are
available in various materials as well, including
gold, porcelain, and composite resins.
 If you’re missing one or more teeth, you
can opt for dental implants or explore non-
implant options like removable partial dentures,
a tooth-supported fixed bridge, or a resin-
bonded bridge.
 During your consultation, your dentist will help
you explore all the options available to you.

7. 2. Understanding the
Procedure
 Some dental procedures are quite complex.
Before you settle into the chair for the complete
treatment, it’s important to know what’s ahead.
 Your consultation is the perfect time to ask all
your questions and a get a detailed explanation
of what will take place while you’re in the chair.

8.  . In many cases, our dentists can offer a helpful
visual, using tooth models and product
samples to help you better understand each
step of the procedure.
 If you’re nervous, this may also help to ease
some of your tension or fear.

9. 3. Checking Your Eligibility
 Dental care is highly personalized. Each
person and each tooth is different, and decay
or damage can happen in various ways.
 A treatment that worked wonders for one
person may be impossible for another, though
their situations may look similar to a casual
observer.
 Other health conditions outside the mouth may
even affect your eligibility for certain
procedures as well.

10.  Discuss all health problems and medications
with your dentist at the consultation, so you
don’t arrive for a procedure only to find that you
can’t complete it that day.
 Some examples: If you’re taking blood
thinners, for example, you may need to stop
the medication briefly to prevent excessive
bleeding during the procedure.
 Patients with certain heart problems are
advised to take antibiotics before having dental
work.

11.  If you have heart disease, discuss this with
your dentist to determine whether antibiotics
are necessary for your treatment.
 Pregnancy will impact both your dental health
and the approach you take to restorations or
other treatments.
 So, tell your dentist about any conditions or
suspected conditions, including if you’re
pregnant or plan to become pregnant

12. 4. Providing Additional Care Tips
 Proper dental care seems straightforward, but
many patients are missing key elements of
their dental care routine.
 You may brush daily, but find that you’re not
using the best toothpaste for your individual
needs. Perhaps you floss regularly but aren’t
aware of the proper method for getting around
tricky tooth formations.

13.  A consultation is one of the best times to
address regular dental care issues.
 Your dentist can offer a wealth of information
and advice that will help you properly care for
and protect your teeth.
 This is particularly important if you’re
considering a major restorative dental
procedure. You want to ensure that your
refreshed smile gets proper care and attention
so you can protect not just your newly restored
teeth, but also your new implant, filling,

14. 5. Exploring Payment Options
 Some dental procedures come with a high
price tag.
 At your consultation, dentists will be happy to
discuss payment options.

15. During the consultation, it’s expected that the
dentist will:
a. Perform a thorough physical dental
exam – Patients will be asked to sit
comfortably in the dental chair while the
dentist checks on different parts of the mouth.
The dentist may also try to feel the jaw and
check the roof of the mouth and underneath
the tongue.

16. b. Conduct diagnostics – Many dental clinics
these days are already equipped with tools
such as X-rays and computers with simulated
software. This way, diagnostics can be
performed quickly, and emergency treatment,
if needed, can be provided to the patients.
c. Carry out an oral cancer screening test –
The dental consultation is one of the many
methods of determining any suspicious
lesions, sores, or masses.

17. d. Take note of the patients’ profile – The profile
can include personal and family medical and oral
history, habits, lifestyle, hygiene, and illnesses, to
name a few.
e. Diagnose a dental condition – The dentist can
recommend treatments that may be carried out
on the same appointment or on the next visit. If
the dentist’s evaluation suggests the condition is
complex, it’s normal for patients to be referred to
specialists.
f. Counsel patients – Dentists can offer tips to
promote better dental health.