Trusting an Oral Surgeon for Your Dental Implants

Dental implants were once a service that was only offered by oral surgeons. Over the years that has changed. Local dentists have started to offer this dental service. While both an oral surgeon and family dentist offer the same type of service, they are not the same.

Before you schedule an appointment with your local family dentist to get dental implants, it is important that you learn the differences between an oral surgeon and a family dentist. Learning the differences will help you make the best decision regarding who to trust to place your dental implants.

Difference in Education and Training

When it comes to dental implants an oral surgeon and a family dentist do not have the same type of training and education. A family or general dentist spent a vast majority of his or her time studying basic dental procedures. Most of their education and training focused on how to perform fillings, extractions, and cleanings. It did not focus on more complex procedures like dental implants.

That doesn’t mean a general dentist is inexperienced. A general dentist must attend several courses on how to properly perform dental implants in order to provide the service. However, the courses are often quick and only provide a general overview of how to perform this type of dental procedure.

On the other hand, an oral surgeon has had numerous years of specific training in complex dental procedures like dental implants. The specialized training focused not only on how to perform the procedure, but how to handle any possible problems that may arise during the procedure.

Type of Equipment Used for the Dental Implant Procedure

The dental industry, just like any industry, is constantly changing and evolving. Oral surgeons will often stay on top of the latest trends and equipment within the dental industry and make constant changes to their equipment so they are always using the most up-to-date equipment. A general dentist may not always use the latest and most updated equipment.

General dentists often do not perform a lot of dental implants. Since it is not a popular service they offer, they are more likely to update other equipment in the office and choose to use older, more outdated equipment for dental implants.

While the dental implant procedure can still be performed with outdated equipment, the procedure may go faster and more smoothly with the use of updated equipment.

Ability to Handle Complex Complications That Happen During the Dental Implant Procedure

In an ideal world, all dental implant procedures would be able to be performed with ease. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. Even if a patient takes all the necessary steps to prepare for the procedure, complications can still happen. It is important that the dental professional you use for your dental implant procedure knows how to handle complications.

A general dentist may be aware that certain complications could happen, but he or she may not know how to address them if they happen during your dental implant procedure. This means if a tooth fractures during the procedure, he or she may need to stop the procedure and refer you to an oral surgeon who has training in handling complications.

Use of Anesthesia

Anesthesia is often used during dental implant procedures especially if multiple implants are being placed. General dentists are not certified to perform IV sedation. This means if they offer it in their office, they bring in an outside professional to handle it. This can raise the cost of the procedure because you are paying for the dentist and his office staff and the anesthesiologist.

An oral surgeon is trained and able to perform IV sedation. This means he or she will be able to sedate you without the need for an outside professional. This often keeps the cost of the procedure low because you don’t need an outside professional to perform this important service.

Which Should You Choose to Use for Dental Implants?

While using a general dentist may seem like the easiest choice, it is better to trust an oral surgeon with dental implants. An oral surgeon has specific skills and training that will make sure your dental implant procedure is performed right the first time.

Interested in getting dental implants? Call Sedaros Oral Facial Surgery & Dental Implants today to schedule a consultation with our oral surgeon to discuss getting dental implants.