Dental Implant Team

In order for you to receive the benefits of a successful long term dental implant, you will need the expertise and training of multiple professionals. The combination of the surgery and the dental restoration results in a false tooth that is as secure as a natural tooth. Before the dental implant team will move forward with your dental implant procedure, they will need to ensure you are a suitable candidate and that your x-rays indicate you are healthy enough to have a dental implant. The variety materials for the implant posts and the abutments have improved the dental implants to address different teeth and the many angles that different teeth require to best fit your bite. Due to some of the most recent updates, the team may even be able to use a dental implant where you may not have had enough jaw bone to support the implant in the past. Even more people are able to have dental implant procedures and there are even higher rates of success long term. The results are functionally and aesthetically ideal without infections and rejections.
The dental implant process can’t be completed by just one person so there is a team that will help you achieve the results you have hoped for since you started your tooth replacement journey. Depending on the complexity of your case, your team may include a dentist and a hygienist if you have enough bone to support the implant and the implant is not in a highly visible area. If your gums do not need the care of a periodontist, then you can keep the team smaller. In other instances, if you have a more complicated medical history or you are looking to replace your front teeth, then maximizing the talents and training of multiple professionals will give you the best results.

Most of the dental implants team at their cores include the following members:

  • A general dentist who has basic dental implant training that includes diagnosis and therapy, gum disease diagnosis and therapy, and dental implant surgery and prostheses training
  • A dental nurse who is able to assist in the surgery and the care you require during the surgery
  • A dental hygienist who can help you properly maintain your dental implant
  • A dental technician who can create the best prosthesis for your mouth and its new implant

Success depends on the team approach

The materials, approach, and techniques for dental implants are improving and changing so there are enough factors for different team members to specialize. The complete team, whether you meet or work with each of them or not, includes the surgeon who can be an oral surgeon or general dentist, the restorative dentist who can be a specialist or a general dentist, a dental hygienist, a dental assistant, a lab technician, the dental business staff, a periodontist, and possibly an orthodontist. If you have questions on any part of the procedure, you can look into connecting with the team member who is in charge of that portion of your procedure.

It is important that all team members are in contact with each other and that each team member understands your medical history and dental implant needs while having a clear idea of your expectations for the procedure. The ability for dental implant specialists to offer these team members allows you to have the best possible experience and outcome. It is important that you follow through on the instructions given to you throughout the procedure so you are protecting your investment in your oral health. The dental implant teams who achieve the best results are the teams that attend local conferences. These are opportunities to explore the latest technology, review the newest products, bring back samples, and select the most appropriate items. The different members of the dental implant team should be able to answer your questions or be able to refer you to the specific member who can best address your concern. You should ask your team about their experience individually and working together to better understand how you can give yourself the best possible outcome by trusting the best team.

Implant surgery statistics

According to an American Dental Association survey, the following dental professionals work on dental implants: oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, prosthodontists, and general practitioners. Additionally, it is important to note that same survey indicated that 89.6% of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, 67.9% of periodontists, 10% of prosthodontists, and 8.1% of general practitioners perform dental implants.

Temporary Tooth Dental Implant