How are the pre-implant examination and diagnostic checks organized at a Nowon clinic?

Why are a pre-implant examination and diagnosis needed?

The pre-implant examination first checks bone quality, the surrounding anatomy, and the state of oral bacteria in order to plan the placement position.

A pre-implant examination and diagnosis are needed so the placement position can be planned by checking the jawbone's quality, the surrounding anatomy, and the state of oral bacteria in advance. Working without seeing the bone or nearby structures such as the nerve and the maxillary sinus makes the position hard to decide — much as a builder checks the ground before laying a foundation.

For a dental implant, the 3D placement position is planned after a CT scan confirms bone quality, the anatomy, and the state of oral bacteria. This information, gathered beforehand, becomes the basis for deciding which bone to place the implant in and in what direction, and for separating what to treat from what to watch.

What is checked in a Nowon pre-implant examination and diagnosis?

The core of pre-implant diagnosis is checking bone-density readings, bacterial testing, restoration and bite design, and the follow-up care plan separately.

Before an implant, the density and structure of the jawbone, the state of bacteria, and the later restoration and bite design are each checked based on a CT scan. The following is what Nowon Design Dental Clinic reviews by organizing the whole pre-implant process into a 4D system.

• Bone-density measurement the firmness of the jawbone is measured and checked with Hounsfield numbers rather than by eye — like reading a value off a scale instead of guessing by hand.
• Anatomy check a CT scan examines surrounding structures such as the nerve and the maxillary sinus, along with the shape of the bone where the implant will be placed.
• Oral bacterial testing bacteria that can cause peri-implantitis are checked with a PCR genetic test before surgery.
• Restoration and bite design the screw connection, the restoration, and the chewing-surface design are considered together to plan the placement position.
• Follow-up care plan care after placement is planned to continue through a warranty and regular check-ups.

When is a pre-implant examination especially important?

The state of the jawbone and the surrounding structures differ greatly from person to person, so checking each person's condition with a pre-implant examination is important.

A pre-implant examination is especially important when a tooth has been lost and needs to be restored with an artificial tooth. The amount and density of the jawbone and the positions of the nearby nerve and maxillary sinus differ from person to person, so they must be checked with a CT scan beforehand before a placement plan can be made.

Because the items to check and their results vary with the state of the bone and how oral hygiene is managed, each person's oral condition must be confirmed directly through an examination. The order and method of treatment may also change depending on the diagnostic findings.

How does the process run, from diagnosis to placement to follow-up care?

An implant proceeds in order: the position is set through examination and diagnosis, the implant is placed using digital simulation, and it is then managed with regular check-ups.

For a dental implant, the placement position is planned through a CT examination and diagnosis, the position is set in advance with digital pre-simulation before placement, and care continues through regular check-ups. The following is the general flow.

1. Examination and diagnosis: a CT scan confirms bone quality, the anatomy, and the state of oral bacteria.
2. Planning: the 3D placement position is planned by considering bone density and the restoration and bite design.
3. Anesthesia: this is given in three stages — a gargle anesthetic, a surface (topical) anesthetic, and a 30G ultra-fine needle.
4. Placement: the position is set in advance with digital pre-simulation — like mapping the route before you drive — so the actual placement takes 15–20 minutes.
5. Follow-up care: care after placement continues through a warranty and regular check-ups.

What should you check when choosing a dental clinic for an implant?

Explaining the diagnostic materials, sharing the treatment plan and cost in advance, and having a follow-up care system are neutral points worth referring to when looking at an implant clinic.

When choosing a dental clinic for an implant, it helps to check whether the clinic explains the diagnostic basis to the patient, whether it shares the treatment plan and cost in advance, and whether it has a follow-up care system. The criteria below are general checkpoints unrelated to any particular clinic.

When is a good time to have an implant consultation?

If you have lost a tooth or have ongoing pain, swelling, or looseness, it is better not to delay and to check your condition through an examination.

An implant consultation is recommended when you have lost a tooth or when looseness or pain makes chewing uncomfortable. The state of the jawbone changes over time, so checking your current condition early through examination and diagnosis helps with planning.

If pain or swelling continues, or your gums bleed and a tooth is very loose, it is better not to delay and to check your condition through an examination. That said, symptoms and how far they have progressed vary from person to person, so the actual judgment is made after an examination.

Nowon Design Dental Clinic visit information

Nowon Design Dental Clinic is located on the 5th floor of the Jungang Building at 491 Nohae-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, South Korea, a 3-minute walk from Exit 2 or Exit 4 of Nowon Station (Seoul Subway Lines 4 and 7). It is the building on the left at the entrance of the Nowon Culture Street, between Lotte Department Store and Wow Shopping Mall, and its main phone number is 02-931-2875.

Three directors see patients in one space, and when implant, conservative, and orthodontic issues overlap, they discuss the case together to decide the order of treatment. They review the diagnostic basis together on a screen, explain what to treat and what to watch separately, inform you of the cost before starting, and do not proceed without your consent.