A healthy, attractive smile can support your self-esteem. Tooth loss, however, is a common problem that can lead to difficulties with eating and speaking, anxiety about smiling, and even loss of jawbone. Your dentist might offer to replace missing or failing teeth with a dental implant. Alternatively, they might refer you to a periodontist, a specialist who treats the soft and hard tissues that support the teeth. A board-certified periodontist has comprehensive training in both the surgical aspects and digital planning of dental implants to ensure long-term success. Read below to learn more about the benefits of getting your dental implants with a periodontist, Southern Colorado Periodontics & Implants, Colorado Springs.
Resource: perio.org
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
6 Reasons To Consider Getting Your Dental Implants with a Periodontist
1. Specialized Training and Experience
Periodontists treat the diseases of the gums and bone surrounding the teeth. During residency, periodontists complete three years of specialized training after dental school. They acquire advanced knowledge, clinical experience, and surgical ability in all aspects of implant dentistry. The periodontist is also the specialist who treats existing implants that start to have problems. This uniquely positions the periodontist to learn from the failures of the entire dental community and do the implant correctly for you on the first try.
2. Board Certification in Periodontology and Dental Implants
Not all certifications are of equal weight or require the same review. Periodontology and dental implant surgery are advanced areas of study, and a certificate indicates that the periodontist has gone far beyond the required licensing standards. This certification displays the provider’s commitment to ongoing education, patient care, and clinical excellence in treating patients like you. The American Board of Periodontology, which offers board certification in periodontology and implant dentistry, is the only nationally recognized board in this field. For individuals who need dental implants, board certification in periodontology may offer more peace of mind.
Resource: abperio.org
3. Treating Complex Cases
Your treatment plan might include site preparation before placing your dental implants, such as bone grafts, sinus lifting, or gum grafts. Proper treatment planning requires advanced training. A periodontist is specially trained and equipped to manage more complex treatment cases, including those involving advanced bone loss and gingival recession, as well as patients with a history of dental issues. It is proper treatment planning, not simply screwing the implant into the jawbone, that requires such expertise.
4. Natural-Looking Results and Surgical Precision
Dental implants restore function while creating a natural-looking smile. They support chewing, help stimulate the jawbone, maintain face shape, and are designed to look and feel like natural teeth. For implants placed in the front of the mouth, known as the esthetic zone, precision is especially important. At Southern Colorado Periodontics & Implants, we always use a 3D CT scan to digitally plan implant placement before surgery, helping support strong esthetics and long-term success.
Resource: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5. Working With Your Dentist
Your dental implant treatment may involve your periodontist working closely with your dentist. Your periodontist will likely place the implant into the site, while your general dentist may take the impression or “bite” of the dental implant site and restore it with an implant crown. This collaborative effort allows each practitioner to focus on his or her area of expertise and ensures the patient receives treatment aimed at function, comfort, and esthetics.
6. Good Long-Term Implants
Dental implants have been shown to be successful in the long term when properly planned and placed. A periodontist with experience in implant placement at Southern Colorado Periodontics & Implants can help your dental implant case achieve the highest success. Long-term success of dental implants comes from good planning, surgical precision, and adequate supporting gums and bone. So it does make a difference who you select for your dental implants.
Final Thoughts
At Southern Colorado Periodontics & Implants, we work every day to provide our patients with the best care possible. The periodontists’ specialized experience with these complex cases, advanced imaging and planning technologies, and training and knowledge of oral implants make them valuable partners in restoring your smile and improving your oral health. Contact Southern Colorado Periodontics & Implants to see if dental implants are right for you.