How To Help Your Patient To Accept The Implantation: Quick Guide

Dental anxiety – is a factor that may significantly disturb the treatment process in its very beginning – if your patient is afraid of some procedure, there is a high probability that they will refuse the treatment.

This, in turn, may bring some consequences for the patient's dental health. That's why dentists should be able to explain the operation process and outcomes comprehensively and simply, breaking any fears and doubts.

In our recent article, we described a general approach to patient education. In this review, we'll discuss the case of implantation. This procedure usually causes people worry and anxiety, so it's essential to explain all the details, including the surgical process, recommendations, possible risks, etc.

As a template for this explanation approach, we'll use a guide by Dr. Natalie Jeong, chair of periodontology at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.

1.It's easier than you think.

Most patients think that implantation is a complicated surgical operation with a lot of pain and discomfort. It's crucial to let the individual know that only a tiny incision is required and, in fact, the procedure is minimally invasive.

2. Describe the process.

Place first things first; your patient needs to understand all the steps of the upcoming treatment to ensure it's safe. Be sure that you exclude complicated medical terminology – explain the operation details, short and straightforward:

Oral health and bone quality examination.
In some cases, an additional X-ray or CT is required.
First operation stage: dentists will make a small incision to reach the bone and then insert the implant into the jaw.
Regeneration: after about three months, the implant will integrate with the bone.
Second operation stage: during the second visit, the dentist will incise the healed gum and attach the abutment to the implant – this special part will be used as the socket for the tooth crown.

You can use a graphical explanation or a more fascinating option – a VR/AR tool to match your words. The headset will increase the sense of presence in the patient, improving their understanding.

Fortunately, in the Remedico.app, we have a solution for this problem – Dentaverse. In this first-ever treatment presentation software, the implantation (and many others!) procedure is presented in a 3D schematic interactive video that solves most patients' questions regarding the procedure process.

3. Be aware!

Remember to consult your patients about possible risks to ensure they maintain appropriate oral hygiene after the operation. Peri-implantitis is the main threat to such patients. It occurs when inflammation occurs around the implant and spreads to the bone and across the jaw, damaging the gum around the healthy teeth.

The most apparent symptoms are swelling, pus, or sometimes a bad taste in the mouth. Once a patient is notified of something like this, he should immediately visit a dentist to prevent the possible disease aggravation, which may lead to bone loss.

4. Keep it clean

Ensure that your patient understands how he should care for a dental implant. Despite the implant's artificial nature, it still needs to be cleaned – brush your teeth as thoroughly as your real teeth and use a dental fossil to keep your mouth healthy!

Let's sum up

This schematic guide is a blueprint for your dental presentation, and you should adjust it with your tips and approach. But remember that the main point is to make your patient understand the treatment.

If you want to extend your abilities in patient education to enhance your practical experience, take a look at the related articles on our newsfeed:

Share on