A few questions to do with implants...

[tazey]

For those of you that have them were you able to see pictures of the work the dentist had done before? Also if I decide I am going to change places how do I know I've got the right dentist? I've been twice to the new place (7yrs apart) +seen the same person he seems very nice+all but I've looked at the website+they have a couple that do implants (one in particular mentions nervous patients) how do you determine which ones best for you. I need to get this right it's a lot of money+what feels like the last chance. P.s I'll do an update on my journal later about the appointment,as it's been a while.

 

[Enarete]

Hi tazey,

I don't have implants, but your question about how to know that you've got the right dentist is almost universal and a very good one.

When it comes to dentistry, it is all about how do you feel about the dentist. Everybody has different preferences and things that are important to them when it comes to dentistry so the question is: what is important to you and do you feel like the dentist you have chosen is providing you with that?

For me personally, being taken seriously, feeling like they are listening to me, being in charge - having the possibility to get up of the chair or having a break if I like, spreading the treatment so that we go at my pace, not being rushed, those are my personal important things. So if I was to find a dentist, I would want to get in touch via email beforehand and ask how they work. Also, are they all about treatment or willing to give me an appointment just for a chat, to build some trust? Again, those are things important to me, yours may be different, but a good dentist is one that gives you what you need.

I guess the first visit is always you giving a bit of trust in advance and checking whether it was worth it. Being willing to look around a bit and change if you don't feel comfortable straight away, may be a good thing too.

Your journey has been a long and exhausting one, I am truly wishing for you to find a dentist who can accommodate your needs and help you to get where you would like to be.

All the best wishes and keep us posted

 

[letsconnect]

In addition to what Enarete has already said, we've got a page on finding a good dentist here:

How to find a high-quality dentist

How do you know if a dentist really cares about the quality of their work? Here is what to look for and expect from a high-quality dentist.

www.dentalfearcentral.org

With more complex dental work, it becomes increasingly important to look at a dentist's training, specialist qualifications, and experience. Often, such qualifications and experience will be mentioned on the bio pages of the website. And, of course, you should check out Google, Facebook, etc. reviews (especially from more long-term customers).

Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out what certain qualifications etc. actually mean - feel free to post in the Ask a Dentist section if you need advice or clarification!

 

[Judythecat]

I don’t have implants, but if I was in a position to need them (and had £££!) I would take guidance from my own dentist on who she recommended. Could your own dentist suggest a good person for you?

When I needed a complex root canal my dentist referred me, and noted in her letter that I was particularly anxious about injections. The surgery she referred me to has a couple of endondontists, and they hooked me up with one who had a lovely, patient “bedside manner”, and I was really happy with him. If I hadn’t felt completely comfortable at the consultation I would have asked to see someone different. I also brought my partner along so he could advocate for me if I felt overwhelmed, but I actually would have been fine on my own.

I really hope you find the right person and place!

 

[tazey]

I don’t have implants, but if I was in a position to need them (and had £££!) I would take guidance from my own dentist on who she recommended. Could your own dentist suggest a good person for you?

When I needed a complex root canal my dentist referred me, and noted in her letter that I was particularly anxious about injections. The surgery she referred me to has a couple of endondontists, and they hooked me up with one who had a lovely, patient “bedside manner”, and I was really happy with him. If I hadn’t felt completely comfortable at the consultation I would have asked to see someone different. I also brought my partner along so he could advocate for me if I felt overwhelmed, but I actually would have been fine on my own.

I really hope you find the right person and place!

I don't currently have a dentist they took me off their books without telling me because I hadn't been for a while (didn't think it was necessary/a waste of time when I was being seen regularly at the hospital). I've found the right place just a case of which one,it would help if I could see some pix of work they've done forgot to ask whilst there. Nothing much has happened since (3wks ago) as they've wrote to my consultant asking for info/xrays still waiting to hear.