Have you been considering having dental implants placed? If so, then you’ve probably noticed there are a multitude of dentists out there who offer dental implant services. The sheer volume of dentists who offer dental implants can be overwhelming and can make it hard to decide who to choose. Additionally, it can be hard to differentiate between a general dentist who places dental implants and and implant specialist. In this blog, we will discuss the unique qualifications of dental implant specialists and why you should see one over a general dentist.
What sets a dental implant specialist apart from a general dentist?
Dental implant specialists are dentists who have completed additional training in the placement and management of dental implants. This extra training allows them to place and restore dental implants with greater accuracy and expertise than general dentists. While a general dentist will have a suffix of DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine), and implant specialist will have additional titles. These can include:
Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (DICOI):
To earn diplomate status, an implant dentist must complete a minimum of 250 continuing education hours, author or co-author an article on implant dentistry, earn two letters of recommendation, and pass a written examination. Additionally, they must prove that they have completed a certain number of successful implant procedures using a variety of implant types and techniques. They must also be able to prove long term implant success. Even once they have earned this status, they must maintain their status with regular continuing education requirements.
Diplomate of the International Dental Implant Association (DIDIA):
The requirements are similar to those listed above, with the exact numbers varying slightly. To earn diplomate status, an implant dentist must complete a minimum of 250 continuing education hours, author or co-author an article on implant dentistry, earn two letters of recommendation, and pass a written examination. Additionally, they must prove that they have completed a certain number of successful implant procedures using a variety of implant types and techniques. They must also be able to prove long term implant success. Even once they have earned this status, they must maintain their status with regular continuing education requirements.
American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) Accreditation:
AAID associate fellows and fellows must pass oral and written exams. The associated fellows have a minimum of 300 hours in continuing education and one or more years performing dental implant surgeries. The fellows have 400 hours of continuing education and have been working in the dental implant field for five or more years.
Why Choose an Implant Specialist?
Although many general dentists can adequately perform dental implant procedures, there may be cases where it is best to see an implant specialist. Here are some reasons why you should choose an implant specialist:
Experience:
An implant specialist has likely placed more dental implants than a general dentist, and therefore has more experience with various types of cases. In some cases, your general dentist may recommend you to a dental implant specialist if your case is beyond their skillset. Dental implant specialists have the skills to place implants in a variety of cases, even those that may have been previously denied dental implant treatment. If you have been told that you are not an ideal candidate for dental implants, then it can be worth getting a second opinion from a dental implant specialist.
Technology:
In addition to their extra training, dental implant specialists also have access to the latest technology and techniques. General dentists may use older technology when placing dental implants since they may or may not keep up with continuing education. Implant specialists, who need to keep up with continuing education on the other hand, use the latest implant technology in order to achieve accurate results. This newer technology often leads to fewer complications, faster treatments, and a quicker healing process.
Higher Patient Satisfaction:
Oftentimes, the combination of experience and cutting-edge technology results in higher patient satisfaction rates for dental implant procedures. This is because implant specialists are able to achieve better results more quickly and with fewer complications. Patients who have a good experience with their dental implant treatment are likely to recommend the specialist to others.
Can Save You Money
When most people hear the word “specialist”, they automatically assume it is expensive. However, seeing a dental implant specialist can actually save you money in the long run. For starters, dental implant specialists often have everything they need in one location. This means they don’t need to refer you out to other practices or dentists, which allows them to consolidate their fees. Overall, this can keep your costs down to a minimum.
Less Stress
One final benefit of seeing an implant specialist is that it tends to cause patients less stress. As mentioned above, an implant dentist’s office usually has everything in one place. This means that you will only need to visit one location for appointments, diagnostic imaging, treatment planning, surgery, and follow-up appointments. This also means that all your paperwork is in one place and you will only need to deal with a single office staff. Finally, having all the dental technology in one place also means that you won’t have delays in your treatment. Overall, the goal of an implant dentist’s practice is to streamline your dental implant treatment to make it efficient and comfortable.
In Conclusion
When it comes to choosing a dental implant specialist, make sure to do your research. Look for someone who is experienced, uses the latest technology, and has a high patient satisfaction rate. With the right specialist, you can be on your way to getting the smile of your dreams. If you’re considering dental implants and have questions, please contact our office, New Teeth Chicago Dental Implants, to schedule a consultation with our experienced implant dentist, Dr. Atcha. He will be happy to answer any of your dental implant questions and help you decide if dental implants are the right choice for you.
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.
