One-and-done. That could describe some of life’s experiences but a dental follow-up - not so much!
For the sake of your oral health there are occasions where a dental follow-up appointment is vital…and necessary.
Prioritizing your dental health means you’ve invested the time to schedule and show up for your dental appointment and you’ve agreed to treatment based on your dentist’s diagnosis.
A high percentage of your routine dental visits and post-treatment protocols will not require an additional follow up.
But some procedures require a secondary appointment.
The goal of dental follow up is to confirm that your treatment was successfuland that there are no complications that require attention.
Consider the post-treatment follow-up appointment as a part of your initial dental treatment plan. In fact, you will likely be informed prior to your procedure if a single follow-up or a series of follow-ups is necessary.
Again, such appointments are essential for a variety of dental procedures. We’ll discuss those in a moment.
A dental follow-up provides your dentist an opportunity to evaluate your treatment results. This can be important especially where healing, comfort, and function are the goals.
During a dental follow-up you can expect:
And…
Consider what could happen if you miss a dental follow-up.
The consequences of ignoring follow-up will depend on the type of treatment you’ve received. Each procedure that relies on a follow-up appointment could put your results at risk if you miss or avoid your recommended follow-up.
For example…
Your dentist is the trusted resource for your follow-up recommendations. They could request that you schedule a post-treatment visit for the following procedures.
Implants are an oral surgery procedure. Your implant forms a new tooth root that must adapt naturally to your bone and gum tissue over a period of time.
Follow-up monitors the healing process.
The tissue that surrounded the tooth must heal properly. Follow-up helps spot any issues with healing or infection.
Proper fit and tooth movement are key to procedures that include braces or clear aligners. Follow-up confirms that your teeth are moving into proper alignment and if adjustments are required.
It’s common for you to receive a temporary crown while your permanent crown is being crafted. Your temporary crown is removed and replaced during your follow-up.
Your dentures can slip or move. Follow-up confirms that your denture is fitting and functioning properly and that any movement isn’t causing bone or tissue erosion.
A dental follow-up has your best care results in mind. Like routine check-ups, consultations, and preventive care - a follow-up appointment with your dentist helps assure that your treatment provides the optimum outcome for your oral health.
Virtual dentistry can be a convenient and time-saving option for some dental follow-up scenarios. Consult with your online dentist to determine if your specific treatment could utilize a virtual visit.
Check-out the following resource to explore the benefits of a virtual dental visit:
4 Reasons to Choose a Virtual Dental Appointment
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