Prepare for your appointment
Questions to ask your dentist
Choose a topic and bring these questions to your consultation. An examination is needed to decide which treatment, if any, is appropriate.
What would you like to discuss?
Pain or a damaged tooth
A missing tooth
Gum concerns
Appearance or alignment
Get the financial details in writing
- Ask for a diagnosis, proposed stages, alternatives and itemized treatment estimate.
- Ask which visits, materials and follow-up work are included and which are charged separately.
- Confirm estimated insurance contributions with your insurer and the amount you would pay.
- Ask what could change the plan or total before treatment begins.
Bring useful background
Prepare a list of symptoms, when they began, medicines, allergies, previous dental work and any questions about the proposed treatment. Ask the office which records it needs.
Your checkmarks stay only on this page; this guide does not send your selections to a clinic or save them as a medical record.
For background on implants and their treatment stages, see the ADA's implant guide. This checklist does not diagnose a condition, select a treatment or estimate a market price.
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