Why It's Important to Discuss Medications with Your Implant Dentist

As a patient, getting a dental implant can seem simple, straightforward, and easy. But that is primarily because your implant dentist is highly trained, experienced, and—in the case of those credentialed by AAID—a dental implant expert.

One of the important factors your implant dentist considers is how any drugs or supplements you take will affect the implant process. This includes herbal supplements, blood thinners, antidepressants, tobacco, osteoporosis medication, and anything else you take or use.

As a result, you shouldn't be surprised or offended if your implant dentist asks discusses your use of medications or supplements. Instead, you should take this as a good sign that the dentist is looking out for your health.

Why is this discussion important? There are many reasons, but here are two examples:

• For an implant to heal properly, new bone must form around it, securing it in position. Some drugs can interfere with this process.
• Many medications and supplements lead to higher than normal levels of bleeding during routine surgery. Blood thinners are an obvious example, but there are many other substances that cause an issue.

Dental implants can make your life so much better, and the process of getting implants can be straightforward. Discussing your use of medications and other substances with your implant dentist is one way to help ensure the process is as successful and simple as possible.

Medications aren't the only topic helpful to discuss with your dentist during your implant consultation. Print the convenient list of 12 questions to take with you to ask your implant dentist.