Are you considering getting dental implants to replace your missing teeth? There are plenty of things you’ll need to consider before making any commitments, not the least of which is who you’ll turn to for the procedure. Some dentists are able to place dental implants themselves, but if you want to maximize your chances of success, seeing a periodontist could be your best option; here’s why.
What Exactly is a Periodontist?
A periodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on the gums and the jawbone. To become a periodontist, one must first attend dental school and earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). After that, a periodontics residency must be completed; said residency involves exposure to a wide variety of periodontal treatments, which includes dental implant placement.
Why Choose a Periodontist for Dental Implants?
Placing dental implants involves working with the gums and jaw – in other words, a periodontist’s area of expertise. Add that to the fact that periodontists are specifically trained in dental implant placement, and you can see why they are highly qualified for this particular procedure. This helps keep the odds of failure occurring to a minimum.
Furthermore, periodontists are up to date with the latest techniques for performing dental implant surgery in the most efficient way. They know how to make the smallest possible incision in the gums to access the bone, and they can ensure that the implant posts are inserted in precisely the right spot.
Finally, periodontists are very familiar with the complications that can occur during dental implant placement. This means they can take the necessary steps to address these problems so that the implant posts will be able to successfully fuse with the jawbone.
Are Dental Implants Right For You?
Of course, before your periodontist can place your implant posts, a simple question needs to be answered: are dental implants truly the best fit for your smile? Qualifying for the surgery means having a mouth that’s free of gum disease. Also, you will need to have enough bone in your jaw to support the implant posts; if there’s a lack of bone, you may need to undergo a bone grafting procedure before you can receive dental implants.
You can find out whether you’re a candidate for dental implants during an initial consultation. And if they do turn out to be a viable choice for your grin, you can count on your periodontist to put you on the path toward enjoying a full set of teeth again.
About the Author
Dr. Zachary Carnow is a board-certified periodontist who completed his specialty training in Periodontics at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Thanks to his training, he is able to handle a wide variety of complex dental implant cases. If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Carnow at Frisco Periodontics and Dental Implants, visit his website or call (214) 619-4990.