Choosing to replace your missing teeth with dental implants means you’re about to make a long-term investment in your health, function, and quality of life. So, it makes sense that you’d want to choose the most qualified dentist to complete your treatment. These days, even general dentists are placing dental implants, though they often lack the years of training and education that others have.
While you can see just about any type of dentist for your dental implant surgery, it is important to know exactly how qualified and experienced each type is. These are generalizations, so always research the credentials and years of experience placing dental implants a dentist has, no matter what specialty they are.
Risks of Choosing the Wrong Provider for Dental Implants
Undergoing a dental implant procedure is a significant investment in your oral health, appearance, and quality of life. If you choose the wrong provider to perform dental implants, the consequences can be both costly and painful. Unlike simpler dental procedures, implant procedures are surgical, technical, and complex, meaning not every provider is equipped to handle them safely.
Can Any Dentist Perform Dental Implants Safely?
Not all dentists are equally equipped to perform advanced procedures safely and effectively. While many general dentists offer implant services, only those with specialized training in implant dentistry should handle these complex procedures. Successful outcomes depend on a thorough understanding of jaw anatomy, surgical technique, and prosthetic design.
If a dentist lacks experience with surgical procedures like bone grafting or sinus lifts, or doesn’t use advanced imaging tools, the risk of implant failure increases significantly. For the best results, seek out a provider or team with a proven track record in implant procedures and a collaborative approach to care.
General dentist
A general dentist, while the backbone of the dental industry, most likely hasn’t received intensive training in implant dentistry. Often, general dentists will attend continuing education courses later in their career to learn how to successfully place dental implants. A general dentist who occasionally places implants may not have the in-depth knowledge needed to perform dental implants or complete more complex surgical cases.
Cosmetic dentist
A cosmetic dentist has a larger focus on the aesthetic side of dentistry. Though skilled in restoring dental implants, they most likely also won’t have training to perform dental implant placements unless they’ve completed continuing education courses. Like a general dentist, a cosmetic dentist might not have the experience to complete more advanced surgical treatments.
Periodontist
A periodontist has received additional years of training outside of dental school to specialize in diagnosing and treating problems with the gums, teeth, and bone, as well as training in dental implants. For patients with severe gum disease or bone loss, a periodontist has the training and expertise to provide personalized treatment for these problems before implant procedures.
Prosthodontist
A prosthodontist has additional years of specialized training not included in dental school. They specialize in repairing and replacing teeth, specifically in the use of prosthetics like dentures and dental implants. Prosthodontists are also dental specialists skilled in aesthetically driven treatments to ensure a natural-looking outcomes as well as a functional one. These specialists are especially skilled when teeth need to be replaced in the “aesthetic” zone, or what shows when you smile.
Oral surgeon
An oral surgeon has received the most additional training outside of dental school. Proficient and highly skilled in dental surgeries, even as recent graduates, an oral surgeon is the most qualified dentist to place dental implants. Additionally, they have both dental and medical training, so an oral surgeon is the best choice for anyone with compromising medical conditions or highly complex cases.
Schedule your appointment
Your choice in a dentist for your dental implants relies mostly on your preferences. But don’t forget that their experience and skill matter, too. Schedule an appointment in our Oral Surgical Office in San Antonio and Wichita Falls, TX, Oklahoma City, OK, or Charleston, SC with your local oral surgeon today.