If you have lost teeth, or if your teeth are damaged and need to be replaced, dental implants may be the best option for you. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are placed in the jawbone to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. They are a permanent solution, and they look and feel like natural teeth. So how do you find a dentist that offers dental implants? In this blog post, we will discuss the best ways to find an implant dentist in your area.
What to Look For
First, let’s discuss what to look for in an implant dentist. It is important to find a qualified and experienced dentist who offers the latest technology.
Qualifications
It is commonly believed that any dentist can place dental implants. However, not all dentists are equally qualified to place dental implants. The best way to find out if a dentist is qualified is to ask them about their training. All dentists should have a DDS or DMD, however implant specialists will also have additional titles such as Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (DICOI), Diplomate of the International Dental Implant Association (DIDIA), or American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) Accreditation. These qualifications prove that the dentist has undergone specialized training in the placement and management of dental implants.
Experience
In addition to finding an implant specialist with the right qualifications, it is also important to find a dentist who has experience placing dental implants in many different patients. This experience can come from training, residency, or fellowships, as well as simply from their everyday routine. The more experience the better, and they should be able to show you before and after photos of patients they have treated with dental implants. Experienced implant specialists will also be able to utilize a variety of implant techniques to suit a variety of cases.
Technology
The latest technology is constantly changing, and you want to make sure your dentist is keeping up with the latest advancements. They should be using the latest implant systems and have a CT scanner on site. Since dental technology is a key aspect of simplifying the dental implant placement process, access to the latest technology allows you to have the best treatment outcomes with the least amount of risk. Not only that, but dental technology can make implant treatment more comfortable and less of a hassle.
Location
Another important consideration is the location of the dentist. You will need to visit the dentist several times for consultation, treatment, and follow-up visits, so you want to find a dentist that is conveniently located near you. However, there are instances where you may need to travel in order to find the right implant specialist. If you live in a more rural area, be prepared for the chance that your ideal dentist may be a little farther than you would like.
Compassion
Last but not least, you want to find a dentist who is compassionate and caring. This is important because you will be entrusting them with your smile and you need to feel comfortable with their bedside manner. They should make you feel comfortable and be able to answer all of your questions.
How to Find an Implant Dental Specialist
Now that you know what to look for in an implant dentist, let’s discuss how to find one. There are multiple different ways to find an implant dentist. While a simply Google search may suffice, our recommendations below can help you narrow down your findings so that you can locate the best implant specialist for your needs.
Referrals
One of the best ways to find an implant dentist is through referrals from friends, family, or your regular dentist. If you know someone who has had dental implants, ask them who their dentist was and if they were happy with the results. Friends and family will often give an honest opinion about the implant dentist, as well as their overall experience with getting dental implants. From a professional standpoint, you can also ask your general dentist if they have any recommendations.
Online Reviews
Another great way to find a qualified implant dentist is by reading online reviews. This will give you an idea of what other patients have experienced. Be sure to read reviews from multiple sites to get a well-rounded idea. Just be sure to keep in mind that online reviews may not always be entirely accurate depending on who wrote the review. Nevertheless, online reviews will still allow you to gather a range of opinions from other people regarding possible dentists.
Professional Organizations
There are several professional organizations that implant dentists can belong to, such as the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). These organizations require their members to adhere to a code of ethics and stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in implant dentistry. These professional organizations also have their own websites that provide information on finding a local implant dentist with their unique qualifications. Searching for an implant specialist through one of these sites can guarantee that you will find a qualified professional.
Dental Websites
Finally, you can search for implant dentists on Google or dental websites, such as the American Dental Association (ADA) website. This is a great way to find dentists in your area who offer dental implants. Skimming over a dentist’s website can provide information about their services and skillset. Some websites will even have galleries of before and after pictures for certain procedures.
In Conclusion
In this blog, we discussed how to find a qualified dental implant specialist. We started by discussing what you should look for in an implant dentist, such as qualifications, experience, technology, and compassion. We then went over the different ways that you can find an implant dentist, such as referrals, online reviews, professional organizations, and dental websites. By following the tips above, finding an implant dentist doesn’t have to be difficult. Just keep in mind what to look for, and you will be sure to find a qualified and experienced dentist who can give you the smile you have always wanted. Thanks for reading!
Irfan Atcha, DDS, DICOI, DADIA at New Teeth Chicago Dental in Chicago, Illinois is a board-certified general dentist and a nationally recognized expert in dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and sedation dentistry. Dr. Atcha is now serving patients in Naples, Bonita Springs and SW FL area with All-on-4 implants, teeth-in-a-day, same day dental implants and the complex zygomatic dental implants for the no-jaw bone solution approach. To schedule a consultation please email Dr. Atcha at teethforyou@gmail.com.
