Advantages Of Dental Implants In The Hands Of A Periodontal Specialist

Posted on Jun 14, 2018 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

The American Academy of Periodontology defines a Periodontist as: “A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas, including three additional years of education beyond dental school. They are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, and are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.”

(https://www.perio.org/consumer/what-is-a-periodontist)

For people who are considering dental implants to replace missing teeth, a Periodontist brings a number of advantages to the table, many of which you may not be aware. For those who pursue the requirements for the periodontology specialty, most devote over 11 years to educational, clinical and specialty training once they’ve graduated from high school.

A Periodontist must first complete the requirements to become a dentist by attaining a bachelor’s degree before entering dental school, which typically requires 4 years of college. He or she then continues with further education and training to advance their skills in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of problems related to the structures that support and surround the teeth. This is typically an additional 4 years.

With a dental degree in hand, the periodontist candidate begins a graduate program after successfully completing a rigorous National Board Exam.

Periodontal training is typically an additional 3 year period. The advanced training of a periodontist focuses on the development of gum and bone diseases as well as how they relate to other systemic diseases. They must participate in clinical trials of new therapies while learning intricate aspects of dental implants and other oral surgical techniques.

Once the educational phase is completed, licensing is required. The U.S. requires all those in the dental profession to pass written and hands-on examinations before they can begin in professional practice.

Once in practice, many Periodontists tackle the added requirements to become Board Certified by the American Board of Periodontology. A Board Certified Periodontist is “one who has made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the specialty and who is certified by the American Board of Periodontology.”  (https://abperio.org/)

Board Certification requires: (1) Passing oral and written exams on all phases of periodontal disease and its treatment, including dental implants. (2) Presentation of detailed reports on a broad range of actual treatment. Once certified, Periodontists are required to take significant hours of continuing education on an annual basis and must be re-certified every 3 years to maintain Board Certification.

While some general dentists perform dental implant diagnosis and placement procedures in their practice, putting your care in the hands of a specially-trained periodontist can help you enjoy an optimal outcome with a lower risk of implant failure. And, implants can fail!

For a successful result, a periodontist uses specialized training and understanding to carefully assess the best type of implant system for you. He or she will treatment plan the most ideal positioning of the implant selected with a particular respect for the surrounding gum tissues.

It may be tempting to consider a “cheap” dental implant offer or a “one-stop clinic” for the treatment. However, your overall comfort and long-term success should be the guiding force in making your decisions in tooth replacement.

Begin with a consultation appointment. Call 828-274-9440. I’ll be happy to discuss the dental implant type that may work best for you and the process involved. We can also discuss anticipated fees and payment options, if desired.

Dental implants, when properly chosen, placed, and cared for, are designed to last your lifetime. In the proper hands, your new smile will be an everyday joy, every day of your life!