Skip to main content

Do You Need an Oral Surgeon for Dental Implant Surgery

If you’re considering dental implant surgery, working with an experienced oral surgeon is the best course of action.

Today, many general dentistry practices offer dental implants. However, without the extra training and experience that oral surgeons have, you may not get the same results. If you want to restore your beautiful, natural-looking smile, you have plenty of reasons to trust an oral surgeon to perform the work.

Do-You-Need-an-Oral-Surgeon-for-Dental-Implant-Surgery

Oral Surgeons Have Advanced Training in Dental Implant Placement

Dentists earn their degrees after four years of full-time study and hands-on training in physiology, anatomy, pathology, dental medicine and preventive dentistry.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dentists who have completed an additional four to six years of specialized training in complex surgical procedures — including implant placement. General dentists receive basic instruction on tooth restoration, but their level of education is no match for the advanced training of an oral surgeon.

Oral Surgeons Regularly Perform Dental Implant Surgery

How many implant surgeries has your dentist completed? Most general dentists only perform this procedure a handful of times each year.

Oral surgeons, on the other hand, place implants — and complete related pre-prosthetic surgeries like tooth extractions and bone grafts — on a daily basis. Because they regularly perform tooth restorations, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are better-equipped for implant placement.

Oral Surgeons Have Better Implant Surgery Success Rates

The success rate for dental implants performed in a general dentistry setting is approximately 95 percent. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, that number is as much as 98 percent when the implants are placed by a tooth restoration specialist.

Several complicating factors, including diminished bone density and nerve position, must be considered when planning implant surgery. With their additional years of specialized training, oral surgeons are best-suited to address these concerns.

Oral Surgeons Can Provide Emergency Care for Surgical Complications

Implant surgery is highly successful, but occasionally, complications occur.

General dentists are typically unable to provide emergency treatment to save the replacement tooth. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, on the other hand, have the skills and training to provide prompt, effective care that can prevent the loss of a newly placed implant.

Are you considering dental implant surgery? Dr. Partridge and Dr. Maxfield at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Utah are tooth restoration specialists with over 10 years of experience. Before you decide to get tooth replacement from your general dentist, schedule a consultation with our professional team. We can restore your smile as well as your oral health, and our surgeons are known for compassionate, expert care.

With three northern Utah locations — in Cottonwood Heights, South Jordan and Tooele — visiting us is both easy and convenient. For more information on tooth restoration, or to make an appointment to discuss dental implant surgery with our expert oral surgeon team, contact us today.

Comments are closed.

Click to open and close visual accessibility options. The options include increasing font-size and color contrast.