Implant Dentists Should Be Highly Qualified

Among the many possible treatment options for missing teeth, dental implants are considered by many dental professionals to be the best options for a great number of patients. This is because dental implants are more predictable than endodontic work, bridgework, and dentures—and dental implants are extremely durable, functional, and natural-looking. So, many general dentists refer patients who have experienced tooth loss (either due to gum disease or an injury or accident) to implant dentists.

Implant dentists are dentists who have specialized in performing implant procedures. These dentists are highly qualified to place implants and to restore replacement teeth atop the implants.

Dental implants are actually titanium rods that are drilled down into the patient’s jaw bone in order to support a replacement tooth. The implant acts as the replacement tooth’s support system since there is no root for a support. However, some patients may not have enough bone in which a titanium rod can be drilled (possibly due to gum disease and decay). In these cases, dentists must first utilize a technique in which to correct the bone deficiency before moving ahead with the dental implants.

Most implant dentists are, as said before, highly qualified. Many opt to become certified through the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), which is the world’s oldest organization devoted to implant dentistry. The AAID has been working to improve implant dentistry and implant technology and research since 1951.

Implant dentists who are credentialed through the AAID may have one of several different designations. Here are the abbreviations and their meanings:

Associate Fellows (AF): Implant dentists with this designation after their names have been peer-certified. They have also met certain national standards of education and practice in Implantology.

Academic Associate Fellows (AAF): These are implant dentists who work as faculty at accredited dental schools full-time. They also perform implant dentistry.

Fellows (F): This designation is the same as the AF designation; however these implant dentists must also demonstrate advanced knowledge and experience in implant dentistry.

Diplomates (D): Implant dentists with this designation are AAID members who have also passed the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry (ABOI/ID) examination. The ABOI/ID is an independent agency of implant dentistry. This designation indicates a highly-qualified and highly-motivated implant dentist.

So, when looking for an implant dentist, a person should look for these designations. The absence of any of these does not necessarily mean that the dentist is inexperienced and unskilled; however, if a particular dentist does have one of these initial sets after his name, it could indicate that he is more highly-trained than some other implant dentists.

Many people begin looking for an implant dentist through their general dentist. These people ask for referrals. While this may not be an altogether bad idea, it is not one that should be blindly followed. It is still essential to check on a person’s background and experience. This can be done by either calling the implant dentist’s office or asking about his educational training or by calling the State Licensing Board for information.