How Does An Implan­tol­o­gist Dif­fer From A Gen­er­al Dentist?

In order to be called an implantologist, a dentist must undertake additional training. In this guide, we’re exploring how the role of an implantologist differs from a general dentist, and when you would need to see each type of dental professional.

What is a general dentist?

A general dentist is one who has taken the 5 years of dental school training followed by 1-2 years of supervised practice. A general dentist helps with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of common dental issues like gum disease and tooth decay. They can provide treatments like routine checkups, X-rays, fillings, extractions, root canal therapy and teeth whitening.

What is an implantologist?

An implantologist is also a general dentist, but they also have additional training. This allows them to carry out dental implant surgery on patients. They might also offer other surgical treatment options, like bone grafting and sinus lifting. And finally, they will also offer aftercare support and will help in cases where dental implant treatment has failed.

When should you see a general dentist?

You should see a general dentist at least every 6 months for a routine checkup. During this checkup, they will check for signs of problems with your teeth and gums. They might offer recommendations on caring for your teeth at home.

If there is an issue with your teeth that needs attention, they will schedule this treatment. And if you have questions about further treatment plans, like veneers, orthodontics or dental implants, they will either take this consultation and manage the treatment (if they are able to) or they will refer you to a specialist.

If you already have dental implants and you are concerned about the way they are healing or any other issue you might be having, your general dentist can help to provide support in the first instance. If the issue is more complex, they may then refer you to an implant dentist.

When should you see an implantologist?

You should visit an implantologist if you have been referred by your regular dentist for a consultation. You can also seek them out directly if you would like to explore this treatment option; you don’t have to wait for a referral.

You can also arrange to see an implant dental surgeon if you are concerned about your dental implants. If they are hurting, or if you have inflammation around the gums, a trip to the implantologist might help to put your mind at ease.

Can any dentist place dental implants?

Yes, provided the dentist has undertaken some form of dental implant training, they should be able carry out the treatment plan. However, when it comes to treatment like dental implants, you really want to make sure you are visiting someone with the highest level of experience available.

Dental implant surgeons are judged by the number of cases they have completed. And while dental implants have a success rate of around 90-95%, individual implant surgeons will have their own success rate. Some will be as high as 99%.

This could be because they don’t take on risky cases, which means they are only seeing patients where there is a very high chance of success. A dentist with a lower success rate might be more likely to accept high-risk patients, but they should only go forward with the treatment if the patient is aware of the risk.

Am I suitable for dental implants?

If you’re thinking about dental implant treatment, get in touch with our team today. We can arrange a dental implant consultation so you can learn more about the treatment plan and how it might work for you.

Our highly experienced dental implant team has helped many patients to transform their smiles and their lives with the help of natural-looking dental implants. To find out if you could become one of these happy and healthy patients, get in touch with our team today. A consultation with our dental implantologist is the first step towards a more confident smile.