Solutions We Offer - "I Need to Replace 1 or 2 Teeth"

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

Patient screening and frequently asked questions for patients who are missing 1 or 2 teeth

BEST CASE SCENARIO IF WE ARE ALL 100% CONFIDENT:

We sound like confident experts when patients ask about how to replace their missing teeth. We also get to help more people who didn’t even know they were candidates for a solution

WORST CASE SCENARIO IF SOME OF US ARE NOT 100% CONFIDENT:

We don’t know how to answer basic questions and patients lose trust in us. They go to another dentist who “does implants” because they don’t know we offer that service. Or they continue to suffer with their missing teeth, living with embarrassment and discomfort, and not being able to enjoy the foods they want, because nobody ever offered them a solution. How would you feel if you had missing teeth and nobody ever offered a solution?

WHAT DOES “100% CONFIDENT” MEAN?

1. You can identify patients who are good candidates, and you know how to find out if the patient is aware of their problem, and if they care about fixing it.

2. You can describe the solutions in plain English, including a comparison of cost.

3. You can describe what kind of patient would choose each solution.

4. You can answer the frequently asked questions.

5. You can teach someone else how to do it to the same standard, either from memory or using these notes as a cheat sheet.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE?

Step 1: Are they AWARE of their problem?

• How long has that tooth been missing?

• What happened to that missing tooth? Do you remember why it was removed?

• Does that missing tooth show in your smile?

• How does your chewing power in that area compare to the rest of your mouth?

Step 2: Do they CARE about fixing their problem?

• How important is it for you to fix that?

• Does that bother you?

• Have you ever thought about doing something about it?

• Are you interested in learning more?

• Many people who are missing that tooth are worried about not being able to eat properly, or things getting worse in the future - is that important to you?

• Most people who are missing that tooth ask us to replace it so that they can smile or eat better - is that important to you?

Step 3: We only discuss solutions to patients who are AWARE of their problem and CARE about fixing it.

DESCRIBE THE SOLUTIONS IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Solution #1: Implant

Dental implants are the more expensive way of replacing 1 or 2 teeth, and they take the longest time. But they win in every other category - they look great, are the most comfortable and are rock solid for chewing, and last the longest of any other solution.

Solution #2: Bridge

Bridges are faster and a bit less expensive than implants, but they require more maintenance at home and they don't last as long as implants.

Solution #3: Denture

Dentures are the cheapest and fastest option, but they are also the least comfortable. Patients usually choose dentures as a last resort if the other options don't work for them.

BALLPARK COMPARISON OF COSTS

The fees are all listed on the cheat sheet. It's easiest to just give the cheat sheet to the patient to read.

WHAT KIND OF PATIENT WOULD CHOOSE EACH SOLUTION?

Implants are usually the solution that will make the patient the happiest in the long run.

There are 3 reasons why patients will choose a different solution instead:

1. Cost - they can't afford the implant

2. Time - they want a permanent solution in a few days or weeks, not in months

3. Bone - they aren't a good candidate for implants

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

None really - if the patient has questions, give them an info package and book consult.

WHAT IF:

1. The patient asks questions that you don’t know the answer to.

• “That’s a great question. That's not really my area of expertise, but why don’t we set up a consultation with the doctor. I’ll make sure they get you an answer to all your questions and then you can decide what to do. Is Tuesday or Thursday better for you?”

2. The patient is mildly interested, but doesn’t really want to talk about it. Or you don’t have time to talk about it.

• Send the patient home with some printed info. We have 1-page cheat sheets, as well as mini-books. And then tell FD to add them to our Google Sheet follow up list.

Here are some of the resources we have printed that can be given to patients interested in fixing their dentures.

Replacing 1 or 2 Teeth.pdf

Download PDF • 211KB

Dental Implant Price Guide.pdf

Download PDF • 7.54MB

Why People Hate Dentists.pdf

Download PDF • 7.70MB