Having a dental implant: records to keep

Before a new dental implant: questions to ask

Dental implant treatment can involve assessment, implant placement and later work to fit the replacement teeth. Some people also need bone grafting. Ask your dentist to explain the stages that apply to you; see Guy’s and St Thomas’ guide to having a dental implant.

• Which implant system is planned, and why is it suitable for my treatment?
• Who will place the implant, fit the replacement tooth and provide follow-up?
• What is included in the treatment plan and the ongoing maintenance arrangements?
• Will I receive an implant passport, labels or a written component record?
• How can another dentist obtain the details if I move practice?

Follow your treating dentist’s preparation instructions. Record the final components after each treatment stage rather than assuming the original plan was unchanged.

Which dental implant details should I keep?

Ask your dentist to supply or confirm the information, particularly any technical component descriptions. A useful record can include:

• Tooth position or positions, using the numbering system your dentist identifies.
• Implant manufacturer, system name and product reference.
• Implant dimensions and batch, lot or serial numbers, if supplied.
• Details of the connecting component (abutment) and replacement tooth, where documented.
• Dates of implant placement and later restorative work.
• The treating practice, clinician and maintenance contact.

Keep one entry per implant and preserve the original labels. A tooth number alone does not identify the implant system. Do not guess compatibility between components or order replacement parts from a record without your dentist’s assessment.

Already have a dental implant, or had treatment abroad?

Ask the practice that placed the implant for a copy of the records and labels. If a different dentist fitted the crown, bridge or denture, ask that practice for its restorative details as well.

If you had treatment abroad, request readable copies before you leave where possible. Keep the provider’s contact details and the original language documents; ask your current dentist what additional explanation is needed.

ImplantPassport does not access a worldwide dental implant database or identify an unknown implant from a brand guess. Your dentist can advise how to investigate missing records. You do not need to buy a passport to request information from your treating practice.

Keep the record current as your care changes

Bring your implant information when moving to a new dentist. Ask the treating team to update the record when a component or replacement tooth changes, retaining the earlier information as history.

Keep your cleaning advice, check-up plan and the practice’s instructions for getting help. An implant passport supports communication; it does not replace regular dental care, diagnose a problem or guarantee that another dentist can repair an implant.