Hi there,

I am a candidate for dental implants and want to make sure I find the best cosmetic dentist. I am nervous about getting dental surgery. The more experienced the dental implant dentist, the less risk of dental implant failure, right? That’s what I read online. However, nothing I have read mentions how many years an implant dentist needs before they can call themselves “the best”? Is there a certain, specific number I should look for?

Twila, from Salem, MA

 

Hi Twila,

The more experience a dental implant dentist has, the higher their success rate when placing implants and performing surgery. Researching a dentist before starting any surgical procedures is very important, as it will help you save time and save money in the long run. For example, an inexperienced dentist may recommend a bone graft when you do not need one, or may say they cannot place implants due to lack of bone. They also may struggle to color match the porcelain crown that covers the dental implant. Choosing the wrong dentist could cause you to start over again with a different dentist, costing you even more money.

Many patients entrust their dental implant surgery to their general or family dentist, basing their choice on trust rather than the dentist’s experience. No matter how long your dentist has been in practice, if they do not have dental implant experience, they may not be the best option for your procedure.

There are no research studies done on how many years an implant dentist needs in order to be the best. However, studies show that restorations last longer when done by a dental implant specialist versus those done by a dentist. However, some dental implants just fail. Be sure to maintain your oral hygiene routines and continue with follow-up appointments post-surgery.

There is no magic number of years of practice to look for. Instead, focus on finding someone who has many years of continuing education in dental implants, and who has done a large number of cases.

To find the best implant dentist for your case, check the websites and reviews of cosmetic dentists in your area. Most will let you do a free consultation before booking an appointment. If you are really worried, you can ask your potential dentist how many of their implant cases have failed, as they will most likely remember. Bear in mind that one or two failed procedures at a practice that sees many patients is no cause for concern. Choose your potential dentist based on their experience as well as their bedside manner, someone who listens and answers your questions sincerely.

This blog post is brought to you by San Antonio dental implant provider, Dr. Gilberto Tostado, of 5 Star Dental Group. Please note that dental implant specialist is not a certified field of dentistry; however, dentists that have attended continuing education courses on dental implant procedures and have experience with palcing implants will call themselves dental implant specialists.