Two years ago, I had a young man come into my office with a badly broken front tooth. He had been out golfing with a buddy and somehow took a golf ball to the face. Unfortunately, he required the removal of one of his front teeth. He was upset and worried about having to walk around with a missing front tooth. With implantology, we were able to remove his fractured tooth and place a dental implant with a replacement tooth that same day. He was so happy and surprised at the efficiency and precision of modern implant dentistry.
My name is Dr. Matthew Bergman. I practice in St. George, Utah, just a stone’s throw from Zion National Park. I am a Fellow with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and am Board Certified with the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry. I love implant dentistry because of how it makes my patients feel. I get satisfaction from seeing the life-changing effects of implantology. Transforming embarrassment and anxiety into confidence and happiness for my patients.
Implantology is defined as all things related to dental implants. Do you have a dental implant? That’s implantology. Do you want a new set of teeth attached to implants? That’s implantology. Do you need a cleaning around your implants? That’s implantology. All of the bone, gums, and teeth that are attached to dental implants; that’s implantology. Compared to dentures and bridges for tooth replacement, implantology provides a number of valuable upgrades:
| Dentures | Bridges | Implants | |
| Comfort | |||
| Stability | |||
| Longevity | |||
| Bone Preservation | |||
| Maintenance |
As the first organization dedicated exclusively to implantology, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) was founded in 1951. If you want to find a dentist who knows dental implants and is committed to the discipline, the AAID is where it’s at. You can search for a dentist in your area and even check whether they have additional postgraduate certifications or credentials. The AAID provides one of the best avenues for dentists looking to advance their skills and knowledge in implantology. They also provide resources for patients. There are videos, information posts, and references for people interested in learning about dental implants.
I learned about the AAID early in my career and have been involved with the organization for almost two decades. I take my education seriously and am always learning and advancing my skills as an implantologist. Why? Because I believe that my patients deserve it.
If you are looking into implantology and what it can do for you, check out the AAID website. Do a bit of reading and watching videos. Search for a doctor in your area. Take advantage of the free tools and information to help you make the best decision for your implant journey. And relax, you got this.
Dr. Bergman, D.MD., is recognized as an expert in implant and restorative dentistry in Southern Utah. He is the first dentist to became board certified by the American Board of Oral Implantology in the state of Utah and focusses on the patient experience. This approach has earned him and his practice, Red Hills Dental, hundreds of 5-star Google reviews. He enjoys helping the local underserved community and actively volunteers his time and skills to better the lives of others.