Dental implants are fast becoming the cosmetic dental procedure of choice for patients who wish to completely transform their smile. Dental implants are also increasingly used to replace teeth that have fallen out or need to be extracted due to damage or decay.

Recognizing their popularity, more and more dental offices are now offering dental implant surgery. However, the process to receive implants is complex and invasive. It is also a permanent solution, and so patients should be certain that their dental implant provider has the relevant qualifications and experience to be able to perform with knowledge and skill.

Risks of using an inexperienced dental implant provider

Dental implant surgery is not a fast, simple treatment. In the early stages, it will be necessary for your provider to undertake imaging of your teeth and jaw, and to assess your bone density and health to check that you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. The locations for each implant post will also need to be carefully pre-determined before the invasive part of the surgery takes place. Inability to identify these correctly could result in incisions being made in the wrong place, or for failure of the implant to integrate with the bone.

Inexperience can also result in errors such as providing inaccurate imaging for producing the crown-part of the implant, fitting the crowns in the wrong order, creating unnecessary incisions or putting the patient at risk of complications such as infection.

What qualifications should I check for?

Qualifications are an important part of choosing a great dental implant provider. In addition to professional dentistry qualifications, you should always ask your prospective implant provider about their implant training – in particular, where and how long ago they completed it.

Another thing that you can check it whether he/she is a member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) or the American Board of Oral Implantology (ABOI). Implant providers who are accredited with either of these institutions will have demonstrated the required standard of knowledge, ability and proficiency in order to gain the relevant certification.

What about experience?

Having the necessary knowledge and skill on paper is important, but putting theory into practise is especially vital. Each mouth and set of dental implants is completely unique, and by gaining experience in implant dentistry, your provider will be able to give you the best possible outcome from your treatment.

Patients should always look for a combination of qualifications and experience when it comes to find a professional to perform any dental procedure.

Are there any other questions that I should ask?

Any good dental professional will be happy to take the time to ask any questions that you may have about your dental implant procedure. These are most often asked during the consultation stage, but we highly advise that you take some written questions with you as it is easy to forget what you wanted to ask when you are under pressure.

Common questions asked to dental implant providers include:

- Where did you do your dental implant training?

- How many dental implant procedures have you performed?

- What is your success rate?

- What steps are involved in the process?

- Will I have more than one surgeon during the surgery?

- How long will it take me to recover?

- What anesthesia will I be given?

- Can I be sedated for the procedure?

- What treatment plan would you recommend for me and why?

- Are there any risks involved?

- How much will it cost and what payment plans can you offer?

Dr. Sam and the team have the qualifications and experience necessary to provide the highest quality dental implant surgery and aftercare. Happy to answer any of your questions and put your mind at ease, they can make sure your dental implant procedure is a calm, professional one from start to finish.