My husband wants to get two dental implants. I think he needs a specialist and he said regular dentists do it. Because we’re talking about surgery, I just want to make sure he gets the best care possible. What’s the right type of caregiver for this?
Cindy
Dear Cindy,
I don’t blame you for wanting the best dentist possible for your husband’s care. In fact, it’s not just the sign of a loving wife, but a wise one as well. To answer your question, there isn’t a dental implant specialty, but there is a distinction in what type of dentist your husband should see for his implant procedure.
Finding the Best Dentist for Dental Implants
The first thing you want to look for is a dentist who is well-trained in the dental implant procedure. When I say well-trained, I’m not referring to a good dental school. This procedure is so advanced it requires significant post-doctoral training.
For instance, Dr. Cha completed every course at the famed Misch International Implant Institute. Not only that, he’s done so many successful implant cases he’s now a fellow at the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). This puts him among the top implant dentists in the world.
The second thing you’ll look for is a dentist who can do the surgery himself. Many dentists who say they do dental implants actually only do the crown portion and farm out the surgery to another practice. While that can work, often communication issues arise which means the dental implant isn’t placed in the exact position the dentist needs.
Oral surgeons may be good at surgery, but they don’t always understand the science behind how teeth should properly meet with each other. This can lead to biting or aesthetic issues. If you have a dentist trained in the surgery, there’s no chance of bad placement through miscommunication.
Finally, you’ll want a dentist who is skilled in cosmetic work. You want the porcelain crown used for the tooth to look both beautiful and natural, blending in perfectly with your natural teeth. Ideally, you’d find a dentist who is not only highly qualified in dental implants but is also accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).
This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.