Choose The Right Dentist For Your Dental Implant Surgery
Who Can Perform Dental Implant Surgery?
Even though the law allows licensed dentists to perform dental implant surgery, many prefer to send patients to a more skilled specialist, like a board-certified Periodontist or Oral Surgeon who have special training. Before you decide to get an implant, it is a good idea to talk to your dentist about their training and experience, and how often they do these surgeries. For the best results and a long-lasting implant, it is usually better to choose a specialist with the right credentials. Before any surgery, make sure you do some research and ask your dentist questions. They should explain each step of the implant process, so you know what to expect. This helps you avoid any unexpected problems after the surgery.
Why Should I Choose A Specialist?
A periodontist goes through three extra years of training beyond dental school to become an expert in gum disease and tooth replacement. Seeing this specialist for your tooth replacement ensures precise implant placement, top-notch skills, and reduced failure rates.
While a general dentist provides a wide variety of general dentistry treatment and may occasionally does implants, a periodontist is a specialized expert who focuses on the health of gums and the supporting structures around both natural teeth and dental implants. This ensures that your implant restorations have a solid and strong foundation, promoting their long-term success.
Specialists excel in the techniques of placing implants, which makes a significant difference, especially for complex cases. In addition, specialist offices usually have advanced surgical technology, such as CBCT and laser, allowing for precise implant placement, same day tooth replacement with implants, and management of complicated cases such as implants requiring sinus lifting and ridge augmentation. And if any complication happens during or after the treatment, they are well-equipped to deal with it.
Why Should I Choose A Board-Certified Periodontist?
Board-certified periodontists are given the title of Diplomates of the American Board of Periodontology (ABP). They have been approved for Diplomate status by a panel of internationally respected peers for demonstrating a passion for continued professional development, self-evaluation, critical review of therapy results, and providing the best, most up-to-date care.
To be qualified for Board Certification, a periodontist must achieve:
- Certification as a periodontist after successful completion of specialty training in a three-year residency program accredited by the American Dental Association/Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
- Successful completion of a comprehensive qualifying examination and oral examination covering all phases of periodontal disease and its treatment, including the surgical placement of dental implants, from the American Board of Periodontology (ABP), which is affiliated with the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP).
- Lifelong learning and continuing certification every 6 years over their professional career.