Medically reviewed by Dr. Hunter Dawson
As you prepare to have dental implants placed, choosing an oral health professional is one of the most important decisions you will make. While dentists may offer their services in placing dental implants, there are several reasons why selecting an oral surgeon can yield optimal results.
Why Choose a Specialist to Place Dental Implants?
Though it is fairly common for dentists to offer their services in dental restoration, only oral surgeons have undergone rigorous hospital-based training, including anesthesia training, to ensure the highest standards of safety for their patients, to say nothing of the most precise clinical outcomes.
In addition to the high level of training, oral surgeons offer extensive experience. Dentists serve as generalists, providing a full range of important services to keep your teeth healthy and clean. At the same time, oral surgeons tend to focus very narrowly on implant placement and related procedures, placing countless implants each and every day. This gives them an advanced level of proficiency, which is enhanced by access to specialized tools to aid with accuracy and efficiency.
Comfort and convenience should also be considered. An oral surgeon can administer anesthesia or IV sedation in-house, keeping you safe and comfortable without needing an outside provider. Dentists typically do not offer IV sedation, meaning implant placement often involves bringing in an outside anesthesia provider. This can make the procedure more cumbersome and increase overall treatment costs.
What Are the Differences in Training?
As you consider which type of professional to enlist for your dental implant placement, understanding the distinctions in training is also helpful.
Dentistry is foundational to oral surgery, as oral surgeons undergo the same training as general dentists. Then, after completing dental school, oral surgeons pursue additional education and training, attaining more advanced credentials in areas like facial anatomy and reconstruction, jaw surgery, emergency medicine, general surgery, and intensive care. This training can be an additional four to six years and also includes education in administering and monitoring anesthesia.
Many oral surgeons go on to become diplomates of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, denoting an even more rigorous level of training and examination. Simply put, board-certified oral surgeons are held to the highest standards and are accountable for providing their patients with the safest possible surgical experiences.
Comprehensive Care for Dental Implants
Additionally, at Envision Dental Implant Centers, we take pride in having dedicated prosthodontists as part of our dental team. Our prosthodontists, Drs. Dawson and Horton, are highly trained dental implant specialists with extensive experience in restorative and replacement dentistry. This allows us to offer our patients comprehensive care for the entire dental implant process in-house. From the initial consultation to the precise placement of the implant and the final restoration, our prosthodontists work closely with our oral surgeons to ensure seamless coordination and the highest quality outcomes. Having prosthodontists on board allows us to provide specialized knowledge and personalized treatment plans, ensuring that each patient receives exceptional care throughout their dental implant journey.
Choosing an Oral Surgeon to Place Dental Implants
As you pursue dental implants, you naturally want to enjoy a comfortable experience, optimal outcomes, and the highest level of safety. Thanks to their robust education and certification, oral surgeons are best suited to provide this type of oral surgery treatment.
Learn more about what is involved with dental implant placement.
