Implant Dentistry

Whether you are 18 or 85, dental implants are an option for the replacement or you lost teeth and teeth injured and damaged beyond reasonable repair.

Implants may be surgically placed by any licensed dentist. Implants are placed by general dentists, oral surgeons, periodontists, and prosthodontists. Of these groups, general dentists and prosthodontists typically provide the reconstruction (tooth fabrication) over the implant(s) after they have surgically healed. Patients surgically treated by oral surgeons, periodontists and prosthodontists who do no reconstruction, are typically restored by prosthodontists and general dentists with an interest toward the subspecialty of implantology. Thus, implant treatment is provided by one professional performing both surgical and reconstructive treatment (i.e..- a general dentist or prosthodontist), or by a team concept, whereby one professional performs the surgical phase and another performs the reconstructive phase.

FACT: There are only about 6% of the American dentists who have provided treatment with an implant by either surgically placing the implant or restoring the implant. Of these 6%, a large percentage of doctors have placed or restored fewer than five implants.

Implant dentistry or implantology, can be classified as a specialty of dentistry. Dental Schools are only now teaching implantology in the dental schools, and then on a limited basis. This is in keeping with how dental schools teach orthodontics in dental schools. Implantology is a complex treatment demanding knowledge in a wide variety of dental procedures and requires a considerable length of time in each treatment plan to provide a satisfactory conclusion. Therefore, it would be difficult for a dental student who only has two years of clinical training in the typical four year curriculum to be able to diagnose, treatment plan, arrange for surgical placement, and then finally restore the implant(s). This is one reason why such a small percentage of dentists have had any involvement thus far. Since training hasn't take place in the undergraduate dental curriculum, practitioners have utilized many implant training courses sponsored by various professional organization in the embodiment of continuing education, preceptorships, and postdoctoral education beyond undergraduate dental education.

Reviewing qualifications for implant dentists:

There are a number of quality dental organizations which host continuing educational programs, national and international congresses, and requirements for recognition within the specialty. Some of them are:

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry
The American Board of Oral Implantology and Implant Dentistry
- This group, comprised of just over 200 doctors, sponsors and administers extensive examinations in surgical and reconstructive implant practices.
- One who passed these examinations is a Diplomate.

The International Congress of Oral Implantology
- Also sponsors membership levels and board examinations

The American Academy of Osseointegration
The American Academy of Implant Prosthodontics
The American College of Prosthodontists