So you’re a patient looking for dental implants. How do you find the best implant dentist? First, let’s look at how dentists are trained and then what they do to continue to build on those skills. We’ll also touch on some other things to look out for.
A Dentist's First Training Experience
Every dentist starts with the same basic education: four years of undergraduate college and then four years of dental school. After dental school, some dentists specialize in a handful of areas.
When it comes to placing implants, Oral Surgeons and Periodontists typically focus on surgical placement. Prosthodontists and General Dentists typically train across a wide variety of procedures, such as implant restorations and constructing crowns and bridges that fit onto implants.
That said, there are many Oral Surgeons and Periodontists who do have a deep understanding of restorative dentistry and many Prosthodontists and General Dentists who have great surgical skills.
Sometimes, the entire process includes a team—a surgical dentist and a restorative dentist. Or, there may be a single dentist managing the whole process. Each dentist or dentists work with a team of highly trained assistants, lab technicians, nurse anesthetists, and other support staff.
How Do I Choose an Office for My Dental Implants?
Whether it be a General Dentist, Oral Surgeon, Prosthodontist, or Periodontist, find a team with a focus and a passion for dental implants. Look for recommendations from friends in addition to searching the web. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) has an online directory where you can search for an implant specialist below:
The AAID and the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry (ABOI/ID) are the premier American dental implant organizations that help provide continuing education and a way for dentists to network and explore the best protocols and innovations in implant dentistry. All practitioners, Specialists, and General Dentists are eligible to join these organizations to obtain further “Credentials” or certificates in the field of dental implants.
Dentists With Advanced Implant Training
Members of the AAID and ABOI/ID have access to meetings and continuing education courses. Members with credentials such as Associate Fellow (AFAAID), Fellow (FAAID), and Diplomate (DABOI/ID) can only obtain them by passing written and oral exams, delivering presentations, demonstrating follow-up care with patients, and passing through large educational continuums. In order to maintain their certificates, these dentists must also regularly attend approved meetings and continuing education courses.
Your current dentist may have one of these credentials; if you don’t know the answer, ask!
AAID members believe that it’s not just about placing screws into the bone and taking some impressions. At the forefront is understanding the patient's health and medical history. Are there any considerations that might prevent the patient from having long-term success? What are their bone structure, lip support, and facial esthetics? How can a passive and secure prosthesis fit comfortably to help with speech and chewing function? This planning means that the end result will provide the best outcome and smile for the patient.
Implant dentistry—especially full-arch implant dentistry includes many facets of dental science, so choose your provider carefully. Once you find someone that you can trust, make sure to follow the dentist’s recommendations and carefully review any post-operative instructions. There is always a small risk for complications; however, with careful treatment planning, a caring dentist's office, and a compliant patient, implant dentistry can be a life-changing procedure!
Dr. John Mady, DDS, MS, FAGD, AFAAID, is a General Dentist in Maywood, NJ, focusing on Sedation and Implant Dentistry. He received his dental degree from New York University in 2013 and is an Associate Fellow of the AAID.