Dental Implants: Do You Need a Specialist?

Why would someone consider having dental implants put in their mouth? Have you ever seen a person with a missing tooth? When a prominent tooth is missing, the sight can make you recoil. You may not be sure why, but missing a tooth just doesn’t seem right. It makes a person look awkward, even if their appearance is otherwise pleasant. If taken from the reverse, if you have a tooth missing, you might feel incomplete and embarrassed at your appearance. You may lose your self-confidence.

Whether you lost a tooth to decay, disease, or dental trauma like a break or crack, you may feel like there is no hope at replacement. You’re afraid that bridges and dentures may be the only solution available to you.

There is, in fact, a permanent solution to missing teeth. Dental implants, properly installed by a qualified professional, provide a replacement tooth that is able to function just as a normal healthy tooth would. The replacement itself is an artificial root that bonds to your jaw and the foundation for a full cap to be placed over it, designed to fit the form and function of the tooth you’ve lost.

You may wonder, what does an implant specialist do? Do they only work with dental implants? Can my regular family dentist perform this type of surgery?

Implant dentists are more often oral surgeons, dental health professional who can perform a variety of dental surgery procedures that help restore the form and function of the mouth. These surgeons can specialize in both restorative and cosmetic dentistry as dental implants are often considered a prominent procedure in both fields. An oral surgeon has been trained above and beyond that of a family practice dentist, often knowing more extensive treatment and surgical options in regards to the mouth, teeth, gums, and other structures of the face.

An implant dentist may specialize in prosthodontics, a field of dentistry that focuses on the rehabilitation of patients who have extensive deterioration of the mouth and its functioning parts. They specialize in prosthesis solutions to replace teeth through temporary or permanent means, like dental implants. Their offices will be equipped with the necessary tools and technology to expertly perform this procedure for a permanent solution to missing teeth.

Your dentist may have a degree in oral surgery to augment his or her practice and offer a more comprehensive list of procedures than the typical cleanings and consultations. They may also send you to a recommended specialist if they believe you could benefit from the services of an implant dentist.