Dental Implants: Tips For Choosing The Right Dentist

Dental implants are a form of restorative dentistry used when an adult is missing one or more teeth.They have become increasingly popular due to the fact that they are a permanent solution, unlike dentures or removal bridges. Getting a dental implant can also help prevent losing bone mass in your jaw, which is a real concern. However, getting one or more dental implants is not a simple procedure, so it is extremely important to select the right dentist. Knowing what to ask will help you when speaking to different dental professionals about your options. If you're interested in having a dental implant placed, consider the following things when selecting a dentist:

Type of Training

Learning to place dental implants is not thoroughly taught in dental school. If a dentist wants to learn more about the procedure and how to properly perform it, he or she will need advanced training. When looking for a dentist to place dental implants, don't be afraid to ask what type of training they have received. Some dentists may only take a short course about dental implants, while others may have hundreds of hours worth of training. It is always in your best interest to select a dentist who has successfully completed ample training in dental implants.

Experience

Training is extremely important, but it is also important to consider the amount of experience a dentist has placing dental implants on his or her own patients. The skills taught during training can be lost if they are not used on a regular basis. A dentist who only performs a dental implant procedure a few times a year won't have the same skills as a dentist who sees patients for dental implants several times a week. When it comes to dental implants, the more experience a dentist has placing them, the better.

Length of Procedure

Properly placing a dental implant is not a fast process. There may be ads on the internet about placing a dental implant in one appointment, but these dentists should be avoided. For best results, the dental implant rod must be placed in the jaw, and the bone surrounding it must heal before the crown can be placed, which can take weeks. So ask a dentist how long you can expect it to take for the entire procedure to be completed-- if he or she tells you that it can be done quickly, move on and look for a different dentist.