A dental implant consultation at Inspire Dental in Tigard typically takes 45 to 90 minutes. We review your medical history, examine your gums, take a 3D cone-beam scan to evaluate your jawbone, discuss your goals, and build a personalized treatment plan with timeline and cost. No surgery happens that day.

This first visit is a planning conversation. You come in, we gather information, and you leave knowing whether implants are right for you and what the path forward looks like. Most patients tell us they expected something more intense.

It's calmer than that.

What is a dental implant consultation?

A consultation is a planning visit. We are not placing an implant that day. We are figuring out whether you are a good candidate, what the timeline would look like, and what your investment would be.

You can think of it like a contractor walking through a home before quoting a renovation. We need to see the structure, the foundation, and your goals before we can map out the work. A retiree from Summerfield recently came in expecting a quick look and a price quote. Ninety minutes later she left with a 3D rendering of her jaw, a printed treatment plan, and zero pressure to schedule anything.

That's how a consultation should feel.

What happens during the consultation appointment?

Here is what we typically walk through during your visit at our Pacific Highway 99W office:

• Medical and dental history review. We ask about medications, chronic conditions, prior surgeries, and dental work. This shapes everything that follows.

• Oral exam. Dr. Choi visually checks the missing tooth site, the surrounding teeth, your bite, and the health of your gums.

• 3D cone-beam CT scan (CBCT). According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, CBCT is the standard imaging used to assess bone volume and anatomy before implant placement. It takes about 20 seconds and gives us a full 3D view of your jaw, sinuses, and nerve pathways.

• Digital photos and sometimes an intraoral scan. These help us plan the esthetics of the final crown.

• Goals conversation. Do you want one tooth replaced or a full arch? Are you working toward a specific event? Are you tired of a denture that slips?

By the end, we have the data we need to give you a real answer, not a guess.

How does the dentist decide if you're a candidate?

Three things matter most: bone, gums, and overall health.

Bone volume and density. The CBCT shows whether you have enough jawbone to anchor an implant. If a tooth has been missing for years, the bone in that area may have shrunk. That doesn't disqualify you. It just means we may need to plan a graft.

Gum health. Active periodontal disease needs to be treated first. The ADA recognizes untreated gum disease as a meaningful risk factor for implant failure. We'd rather stabilize your gums now than place an implant into trouble.

Medical factors. Uncontrolled diabetes and heavy smoking are also recognized risk factors for implant failure. Neither is an automatic no. We talk through your blood sugar control, your smoking history, and any bone-affecting medications, then make a recommendation that's honest about the odds.

If a bone graft or sinus lift is needed first, we'll tell you that day. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons confirms that grafting is the standard approach when there isn't enough bone height or width at the implant site.

What will you learn about cost and timeline?

Before you leave, you'll have a written, itemized estimate. No mystery line items. No phone-call-tag later.

For timeline, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry notes that the full implant process from placement to final crown typically takes 3 to 9 months. That window exists because of osseointegration, the biological process where bone fuses to the titanium post. We can't rush it. The good news is that healing happens in the background while you live your normal life.

We also review your dental insurance coverage on the spot and walk you through financing options if you want to spread out the cost. Many of our patients commute from the Beaverton-Hillsboro tech corridor and prefer to handle paperwork in one visit rather than over phone calls between meetings.

One visit. Real numbers. Real timeline.

How should you prepare for your consultation?

A little prep makes the visit smoother:

• Bring a current medication list. Include supplements and dosages. Bisphosphonates and blood thinners matter to us.

• Bring prior dental records or X-rays if you have them from a previous dentist. Saves time and sometimes a scan.

• Write down your questions. Pain, healing, longevity, eating, talking, what happens if something goes wrong. Ask all of it.

• Plan about 90 minutes. Don't squeeze it into a lunch break.

• Eat beforehand. No fasting needed. This is a planning visit, not surgery.

A gentleman from Bull Mountain told us he'd been putting off his consultation for two years because he assumed it would be uncomfortable. He left saying the hardest part was finding parking on Pacific Highway during rush hour.

That tracks.

Why patients across Washington County choose Inspire Dental for implant planning

Our Tigard office sits on the King City border near Pacific Highway 99W, which makes us convenient for patients from Tualatin, Sherwood, Summerfield, and Bull Mountain. We have a dedicated Implant Center, so your consultation, surgery, and final crown can all happen in one building. No referral chains. No starting over with a new dentist mid-treatment.

Implants placed in healthy patients have a 10-year survival rate above 95% according to peer-reviewed implant literature. That number depends on careful planning. The consultation is where that planning starts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an implant consultation include X-rays?

Yes. We almost always take a 3D cone-beam CT scan during the consultation because we can't plan an implant without seeing your bone structure. If you've had recent imaging from another dentist, bring it and we'll review it first to avoid duplicating anything that's still current.

Will I get the implant the same day as the consultation?

No. The consultation is for evaluation and planning only. Once we've built your treatment plan and you've had time to review it, we schedule the surgical appointment separately. This gives us time to coordinate any prep work, like a tooth extraction or bone graft, that needs to happen first.

Is the consultation covered by dental insurance?

Coverage varies by plan. Many policies cover the exam and imaging portion of an implant consultation under standard diagnostic benefits, even if they don't cover the implant itself. We verify your benefits before the visit and walk through what's covered and what isn't, so there are no surprises.

What if I'm told I need a bone graft first?

It's common, especially if a tooth has been missing for several years or was lost to gum disease. A bone graft adds material to your jaw and heals over several months before the implant is placed. We explain exactly what's involved, how long healing takes, and how it changes your overall timeline. Many of our Summerfield and King City patients go this route successfully.

Can I bring my spouse or adult child to the appointment?

Absolutely, and we encourage it. Implant treatment is a meaningful decision, and a second set of ears helps. We've had adult children drive parents in from Lake Oswego and Wilsonville specifically to be part of the conversation. Bring whoever you trust.

If you're considering dental implants and want a clear, honest evaluation, call Inspire Dental in Tigard at (503) 639-4330 to schedule your consultation. We'll take the time to answer your questions and map out a plan that fits your life.