What Type of Dentist Should I Choose for My Dental Implants?

November 24, 2023

Choosing to get dental implants is a life-changing decision. After all, your implants will support the health of your teeth and jawbone and give you a winning smile you can be proud of for years to come. But when deciding to get dental implants, you have another important decision to make—which provider to choose for your procedure.

Many dentists can complete a dental implant procedure, but not every dentist specializes in dental implants. While all dentists have a medical degree, not all are specialists [1]. So, what type of dentist should you choose for your dental implants? Here is why prosthodontists, specialists at replacing missing or damaged teeth, are your best choice.

What Is a Prosthodontist?

A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who has received several years of training and education beyond dental school after receiving their Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree.

Prosthodontists are not just experienced in replacing missing or damaged teeth—they also have specialized training in fabricating dental prosthetics. This allows them to create high- quality dental restorations with natural-looking results [2].

Compared to dentists without additional training and experience, prosthodontists have greater knowledge and skill to replace missing teeth and ensure restorations that fit properly, look natural, and last for many years.

How Is a Prosthodontist Different?

In addition to their years of additional training and experience, prosthodontists look at your entire smile rather than just replacing one or a few missing teeth.

A prosthodontist carefully considers the function of your bite as well as aesthetics. Their goal is to ensure your smile looks beautiful and natural and functions properly as well. To accomplish this, they take a detailed approach to treatment planning to ensure the final result will provide the most natural fit, appearance, and function.

Another factor that sets prosthodontists apart is their ability to handle complex restoration cases. For example, prosthodontists specialize in cases requiring multiple treatments, such as failing dental implants or patients experiencing chronic jaw pain or discomfort with their existing restorations.

Why Choose a Prosthodontist for Your Dental Implants?

Prosthodontists are the best choice for dental implants because they:

Take an exhaustive approach to treatment planning.
Ensure accurate placement and a proper fit to minimize the risk of complications post-procedure.
Provide dental implants and crowns that can last for decades.
Can handle complex cases that other dentists may not be able to [3].
Provide general dentistry as well as dental implants to ensure continuity of care.
Have more training and experience in creating dental crowns for a more aesthetically pleasing and functional result.
Will ensure the procedure is done correctly the first time.

Schedule a Consultation With a Prosthodontist Today

Whether you want a specialist to ensure your dental implants are done properly the first time or you have a complex restoration case and need specialized care, a prosthodontist is the right choice. Schedule a consultation for dental implants with a prosthodontist today to discuss your smile restoration options!