What Type of Dentist Places Dental Implants?

If you think you’re in need of tooth replacement, and you’ve been researching options online, you’ve likely read a lot about dental implants. Considered the standard of care for tooth replacement, dental implants have become increasingly popular among San Diego men and women who either need only one or two teeth replaced, or several teeth. Dental implants are intended to be permanent, restore full oral function, look and feel like natural teeth.

If you’ve decided you’d like to learn more about your dental implant options, you may be wondering, “Who places dental implants?” Keep reading to learn what type of dentist you should choose for your dental implant surgery. 

Periodontists Can Place Dental Implants

A periodontist is a highly specialized dentist who has spent several additional years after the basic dental training required to become a dentist. Traditionally, periodontal surgeons like Dr. Beck study and train for years how to diagnose, treat, and prevent periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a serious oral condition that, if left undiagnosed or untreated, can lead to gum recession, jawbone tissue loss, and can even cause your teeth to become loose, move around, and ultimately require removal.

As highly trained surgeons, board-certified periodontists are also extensively trained to perform many different types of oral surgical procedures including tooth extractions, multiple bone grafting procedures, and dental implant placement. It is common for San Diego patients desiring dental implants to also need some additional, minor surgical procedures to ensure long term health and success with their new implants. Dr. Beck is a specialist in performing tooth extractions, bone grafting, and other regenerative procedures in order to prepare your mouth for implants.

As a board-certified periodontist, Dr. Beck has had the same dental training as the general dentists in San Diego, but she has also had an additional 3 years of focused study on periodontal and oral surgery. Additionally, she has spent years placing dental implants and even mentors and educates other dentists and dental students about her specialty.

Oral Surgeons Can Place Dental Implants

Oral surgeons in San Diego can also place dental implants. While they have the surgical training and qualifications to place implants, they do not provide the additional oral health care as periodontists, like long term follow-up and maintenance.  They also do not typically specialize in the identification and treatment of periodontal disease or bone loss around other teeth that may compromise the long term success of a dental implant placed next to it.

Oral surgeons are traditionally trained to perform larger procedures like removing part of the jaw due to cancer or repairing broken facial bones following a major traumatic accident.

Why Choose a Periodontist for Your Dental Implant Procedure?

Not only do periodontists like Dr. Beck have additional years beyond the basic dental training of a general dentist, but they also have the added benefit of helping to keep your teeth, gums, and implants healthy. Periodontists are trained in treating periodontal disease, and all things concerning the overall health of your gums and jawbone. As already mentioned, periodontal disease is serious oral health condition that often causes loose and missing teeth for many San Diego residents. Unfortunately, general dentists and oral surgeons do not always have the training and education to properly identify and treat periodontal disease. And if you’ve had it in the past and choose to have dental implants placed, you’re at a higher risk of developing the condition again, risking the long term health and success of your new implants.

Choose Periodontist Dr. Beck for Your Dental Implants Placement

Periodontists like Dr. Beck provide their patients with “whole mouth care,” which means your chances of implant failure are significantly reduced. This combined with the benefits you receive from the added training and experience of Dr. Beck, means you will undoubtedly receive quality care and overall experience when you choose to trust Dr. Beck and her team at Southern California Periodontics & Implantology with your care.

Call her office today at (858) 635-6700 to schedule your first consultation.