What Should You Look for in a Dental Implant Surgeon
Dental implant surgery can give you back your smile and restore your ability
to chew and speak normally. In general, it is a safe and highly successful
procedure, so if you decide that it’s right for you, there’s
a good chance that you’ll be happy with the results. However, it
still takes a lot of trust on your part to allow a dental implant surgeon
to do their work, and it’s in your best interest to choose the best
surgeon available to you. The following are some of the things you should
be looking for in a dental implant surgeon.
Education
Obviously, you want your dental implant surgeon to be a licensed dentist.
But you should also look for a dentist who has an education specifically
related to dental implant surgery. This can be a little more difficult
for patients to evaluate. Technically, any dentist is legally allowed
to place dental implants, but dentists who do so are held to the same
standards that surgical specialists are; so ideally, you’ll want
a surgical specialist to do the job.
Ask questions about your dentist’s level of education as it pertains
to dental implants. You’ll want to know how many surgical courses
they’ve taken, how many continuing education courses they take on
dental implants each year, and whether they’ve taken courses on
managing dental implant complications.
Experience
No matter how well-educated your dental implant surgeon is, you probably
don’t want to be their first patient. Different patients have different
needs, and not all dental implants are the same. The more dental implants
your dentist has done, the more likely it is that they’ll be experienced
with the type of dental implants you need.
Ask your dentist how many years they’ve been placing dental implants
and how many implants they place each year. Find out whether they’ve
performed bone grafting procedures before, especially if you think that
you may need bone grafts. Ask your dental implant surgeon how they handle
cases that are complex and patients who experience complications. Will
they refer you to another specialist?
Empathy
Your dental implant surgeon’s level of empathy, or their bedside
manner, is important to consider as well. You have to feel comfortable
with your surgeon, and that means that you need to know that he or she
understands how you feel.
Your surgeon should be willing to explain each procedure you need and answer
any questions that you have about the procedure itself or your recovery.
They should be able to explain the difference between different techniques
and types of dental implants and why a certain one is right for you. For
example, why are all on 4 implants a better choice for you than traditional
implants? A good dental implant surgeon will communicate effectively and
work to make you feel at ease before going ahead with the procedure. Your
teeth are important, so don’t hesitate to ask plenty of questions
so you can make an informed choice. If you’re wondering whether
dental implants are right for you, contact us to schedule a consultation
by calling 401-247-2200.