finding an implant dentist Archives

Is there a designation required to place dental implants?

August 27, 2021 by Brian Sartin

My teeth are in bad shape and it sounds like I am going to need dental implants to restore my smile. I know it is best to replace missing teeth with dental implants and I have done a lot of research. The timing if finally here for me to consider moving forward. Do I need to be looking for an implant specialist or a certain designation in order to find the best dental implant dentist?

– Rod in Arizona

Rod,

You are correct that dental implants are the best solution to replace missing teeth. They are natural-looking, they function just like your normal teeth, and they also prevent facial collapse. It is also great to hear that you are doing your homework and asking the right questions as you consider making this investment.

It can be confusing when you start investigating dentists. What you may not realize is that implant dentistry is not a recognized specialty area within dentistry. That means that any dentist can make the claim to place dental implants with little advanced training on the subject. So how do you know you have found the best implant dentist in your area? Well, you need to find an implant dentist that has pursued extensive coursework and continuing education in implant dentistry. They will be able to have a thorough portfolio and patient testimonials available. A well-known and reputable organization is the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). This group is an excellent resource to help you located a reputable dentist in your geographic area. Yet, just because a dentist is on the AAID site, doesn’t guarantee their work. So don’t skip the step of personally interviewing and investigating a dentist’s experience and credentials. Yet AAID dentist’s are members because they are typically passionate and have undergone additional training in the area. Another prestigious implant affiliation is the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI).

Hopefully this information is beneficial as you continue your research.

Affordable dental implants made my smile ugly.

August 25, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I took advantage of a commercial offer I saw on television for affordable dental implants. I did my research and all the reviews I came across seemed to be okay. I had two teeth that needed to be replaced on the bottom and the estimate I got from the implant dentist included the surgery and placement of the posts, abutments and the porcelain crowns. He had me get the teeth extracted at the initial appointment and then said I really needed “bone beads,” which were to aide in my healing. Well, fast forward six months and the bone beads weren’t covered by insurance and now he’s trying to tell me that I need to have my gums treated before the final restorations can be done. Did I mention, I still don’t have teeth! This affordable dental implants deal is turning out to be way more expensive than I anticipated. Was it a mistake to have the teeth removed? My smile is ruined and I feel like I’m just getting jerked around. Do you have any advice on what I should do next?

-Jeff in Nevada

Jeff,

Thank you for reaching out with your question. First off, sorry you are having a negative experience with your affordable dental implants. The biggest concern of your story is that fact that the cause for your teeth needed to be removed, doesn’t sound like it was ever addressed. This is highly concerning. If your teeth failed because of periodontal disease, then you wouldn’t have been a dental implants candidate in the first place. The periodontal disease should have been taken care of first. So, the fact that the implant dentist is suggesting “gum treatments” at this time, is a red flag. You will never know now if those teeth that were extracted, really could have been salvaged.

At this point, it would be in your best interest to consult with another implant dentist. Explain the situation up to this point and get an independent opinion about how to proceed. Another huge concern is the fact that you weren’t given temporary teeth. You should not have to walk around hiding your smile for months on end! Under normal circumstances, a dental flipper or a removable partial denture is recommended to fill the empty space. This also prevents any drifting of the surrounding teeth and would help you feel better from an aesthetics perspective. But, it’s time to cut your losses and find a reputable implant dentist in your area. Look for one that has extensive training and credentials in implant dentistry. Ask about their experience, success rate and to see examples of before and after photographs of work they have personally done.

Again, sorry this has turned into a dental implant horror story. Best of luck as you get this figured out.

Can I get my dental implants whitened?

August 23, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I have been really happy with my dental implants. They are in place of my two front teeth. They are holding up well and look really natural. Although, I still cringe when I look in the mirror because I don’t love my smile. I’d like to get some cosmetic dentistry done to improve my look. My dental implants show when I smile. So, I’m wondering the best approach.

Is it true that dental implants cannot be whitened? If so, then what are my options? Will placing porcelain veneers over top of the implants work? Then, I could get the rest of the surrounding teeth whitened? Do you have any advice?

-Jena in Connecticut

Jena,

Dental implants cannot be whitened. Teeth bleaching techniques only work on natural teeth. Dental implants are usually made from porcelain or another material. So, they cannot be whitened. The implants are highly stain resistant, so the idea is that they won’t become discolored. Ideally,you should have had your teeth whitened prior to getting the porcelain crowns placed onto the implants.

There are laboratories that may be able to change the color of a crown. But, they are usually made to be darker. It would be very difficult to make the crown appear lighter since the color is baked in. Also, placing a porcelain veneer over the dental implant won’t work. It wouldn’t look right and likely wouldn’t function well either.

Since the crowns are on the two front teeth, your options are limited. Unfortunately, you would have to get the crowns replaced after your natural teeth were whitened to the color you desire. Then, the new crowns could be made to match perfectly. Keep in mind, this wouldn’t mean going through the entire dental implant process over again. You would only need to have the crown replaced. The posts and screws that were surgically implanted into your jaw will be fine.

Thank you for your question. Hopefully, this post will help others that are considering dental implants. It’s always best to do the teeth whitening before getting the permanent crowns placed on the implants.

Doing porcelain veneers with dental implants? Things that make you go hmm…

August 21, 2021 by Brian Sartin

Have you ever heard of getting porcelain veneers with dental implants.

Here’s the back story. I have played hockey all my life. When I was 18, I lost two front teeth. So, I’ve had a dental flipper for over 10 years. Now that I’m an adult and have a real job, I’ve been looking into getting affordable dental implants. I ended up at a cosmetic dentist that supposedly has stellar reviews for cosmetic dentistry. But, he also offers really affordable dental implants.

When I had my initial consultation, he suggested that I also get porcelain veneers done on the two teeth surrounding the two missing front teeth. Is he trying to up-sell me? His story is that everything will match better if I get the porcelain veneers done too. I’m starting to wonder if this is legit. Although my dental flipper wasn’t perfect, it blended in pretty darn well. My previous dentist never mentioned anything about needing porcelain veneers now or in the future. I want to improve my smile. But I don’t have that big of a budget. Do I really need the veneers?

-Ben in Florida

Ben,

Unless you have some other type of cosmetic issue on the teeth that will surround the dental implants, porcelain veneers are not needed. And honestly, if this cosmetic dentist is as good as he sounds, he should be able to make dental implants blend in with your surrounding teeth with no problem. The dental implants should actually look just like your natural teeth. Now, doing beautiful implant dentistry requires a high level of skill and knowledge of restoration materials. But it can be done, if you have the right dentist. Your instincts are correct to be skeptical. It could be an indication that he’s not as good of a cosmetic dentist as he claims to be, or he really is trying to up-sell you.

It may be in your best interest to get a second opinion. Even if you are on the hunt for affordable dental implants, you shouldn’t sacrifice quality. If you end up with substandard dental implants, they will end up costing you significantly more in the long run. Also, if you find the right implant dentist and it’s a bit of a stretch financially, you can ask about payment or financial options. Most implant dentists will have you pay for dental implants in stages. That may be beneficial to you to spread out the payments over time. Don’t let cost be your deciding factor, especially if you are questioning this dentist that wants to do more work. Definitely get another opinion before moving forward.