How to Pick Your Dental Implantologist

Tooth loss is a common problem in America. In fact, research shows that more than 120 million adults are missing at least one tooth. Many of them turn to dental implants to replace their missing teeth. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry states that more than 3 million people already have at least one implant and 500,000 more are done every year.

When you’re making a life-changing decision like this one, you want to know that you’re working with the best dental Implantologist you can find. After all, the better the dentist, the more comfortable you can be with the entire treatment process.

6 Tips to Choose the Best dental Implantologist

Below, we’ll offer you six ingenious tips to pick the best dentist for your dental implants.

Ask for referrals

First of all, ask your friends, family members, online community forums, and anyone else you trust if there’s a particular dentist they would recommend. One of the best ways to find a dentist is through word-of-mouth referrals, no matter what type of dental treatment you are looking for.

If you specify that you’re looking for a dentist that specializes in dental implants, this may narrow the search a bit because not every dentist offers Implantologist specialization. Therefore, make sure that you specifically ask about dental implants when looking for referrals.

Chances are, when you are asking for recommendations, you’ll come up with a list of half-a-dozen or more names. Look for a pattern and determine if there’s one particular dentist that comes up more than once. If so, put them at the top. Ideally, you’ll want to have a list of 2 to 3 dentists on your list. On the other hand, don’t dismiss recommendations that have glowing reviews, even if only 1 or 2 people mention them.

Do your own research

Once you’ve come up with your short list, take the time to start doing your own research on each of the recommendations. Enter the name into your favourite search engine and check out their websites or look at reviews on social media sites and other places. Check out their credentials and the training they’ve completed. Find out if they are an “industry leader” in implants or if they attend continuing education seminars. Do they mentor other professionals in the industry? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you know they will be among the best implant dentists in the area.

All general dentists receive basic implant training when they are in dental school, but only a few go beyond that to advanced training and credentialing. These programs typically last for several weeks- and some even last for months or years. If you can’t find this information on the website, call them.

Some websites include an online gallery of cases that they’ve done, making it possible to see some real-life before/after examples that show you what they are capable of. Be sure to take your time to look for cases that are similar to yours.

Learn what types of implants they offer

Next, if you have your sights set on a specific type of dental implant, it’s important to remember that every case is unique and not everyone will qualify. Therefore, you must take the time to find out if they offer the options that you are interested in. This will allow you to find out if you’re a candidate for the treatment or if there are more appropriate alternatives.

For example, perhaps you are missing several teeth and are considering several single implants- but the dentist knows a pair of implants with a dental bridge makes more sense. Then again, perhaps you’re considering an implant-supported denture- but the dentist can see that you’d make a great candidate for All-on-4 instead.

Check out their tech

Depending on the situation, dental implant placement can be easy or it can be complex and anything in-between. Many times, it has to do with where the missing tooth is in your mouth. If it’s an upper back tooth, your sinuses may have sunk into the space, which can cause complications. You may have had gum disease and ended up with narrow bone.

If the dentist has CBCT scanning or other advanced imaging tech, they can see 3D images of your mouth before they place the implant. They can see everything before they even get started with the surgical procedure. This means they can pre-plan or even create a digital guide to show where the implants should be inserted.

When it comes to imaging, 3D is much better than traditional 2D x-rays, no matter how much experience the dentist has. Advanced tech improves their accuracy and limits the time it takes to do the procedure.

Check online reviews

In addition to recommendations, take the time to check for online reviews. However, make sure that you understand there’s always someone that is going to leave a bad review because when they feel like they’ve been treated badly- even when it’s their fault- they want everyone to know about it.

Online reviews can be helpful, especially if they have a lot of positive reviews. When the dentist is highly ranked, you’ve likely chosen a good dentist. On the other hand, if they have mostly bad reviews, you may want to continue your search.

Find out about financing options

Financing options are just as important as choosing the best dentist. After all, dental treatment tends to be expensive. However, it’s important to understand that dental implants will have an effect on your smile for the rest of your life. You want to make sure you’re prudently spending your money and if they can take your insurance.

In some cases, if you have a PPO, even if the dentist is not “in-network”, they can file claims for you. If this is the case, your cost will be slightly different than with one that is “in-network”, but it might not be a significant difference.

You may also want to find out about financing options. Some dentists do in-house financing, while others work with outside providers such as CareCredit. Depending on what the options are and what you choose, you’ll typically have 12 to 18 months or more to pay your balance.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

If you’re looking for dental implants in Kissimmee, you’ll find that there are a lot of dentists that offer the service; but Parkway Dental is among the best.

At Parkway Dental, we offer a variety of dental treatment options for missing teeth. We know that your appearance and confidence are closely tied to your dental health. We are here to help you get your smile back with treatments including dental implants.