Best dentist to handle restorative part of All-on-4? ... Prosthodontist or GP?

[SC_Niner]

How straightforward/challenging is the restorative portion of the AO4 procedure?

The heavy lifting (surgery, placing implants, maybe bone grafting) has been done by the periodontist. Now the periodontist returns the patient back to the referring doc to do the restoration. (That's working with patient to pick teeth size/material/color, ordering the parts and installing the final prosthesis.)

Is this relatively "easy work" for most compentent GPs to handle? Or it is best handled by a specialist like a prosthodontist?

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[laundry]

WAAAAY too many variables - not all implant supported cases are the same. One arch or two, what’s opposing, what occlusion class, zirconia vs acrylic vs titanium, number of implants, AP spread, etc, etc....

 

[TanMan]

How straightforward/challenging is the restorative portion of the AO4 procedure?

The heavy lifting (surgery, placing implants, maybe bone grafting) has been done by the periodontist. Now the periodontist returns the patient back to the referring doc to do the restoration. (That's working with patient to pick teeth size/material/color, ordering the parts and installing the final prosthesis.)

Is this relatively "easy work" for most compentent GPs to handle? Or it is best handled by a specialist like a prosthodontist?

I think the best dentist is the one that works well with the surgeon to have a restorative driven plan to place the implants based on the proposed prosthetic replacement. The worst case is the one where surgeon places implants and makes the restorative dentist figure out how to restore.

 

[Combine33]

Too many people believe its this route, when its always prosthesis driven implant placement. I've seen first hand GPs who are eager to make the money, not knowing how to properly plan and in the end, the patient is given an unsatisfactory restoration. Who has to adjust a million times? The GP. Who gets into trouble? The GP. There are specialists for a reason, and a lot of training and studying goes into making a successful All-On-Whatever restoration. Nothing is "easy" in dentistry.

 

[P7898]

If the GP can do it in a predictable manner and be comfortable to not make mistakes they should do it. If they don't feel like this then it is what specialists are for. Do the best for the patient always. Plus if GPs profitability is doing quick and predictable procedures like crowns straight forward endo and single posterior implant. So if someone wanted to cowboy it and had all the resources and was confident I don't see why not...BUT.... they could be spending time doing easier less stressful procedures. Plus if your refer to perio or OS for implants, sometimes they will help you make a restorative plan.

 

[Combine33]

If the GP can do it in a predictable manner and be comfortable to not make mistakes they should do it. If they don't feel like this then it is what specialists are for. Do the best for the patient always. Plus if GPs profitability is doing quick and predictable procedures like crowns straight forward endo and single posterior implant. So if someone wanted to cowboy it and had all the resources and was confident I don't see why not...BUT.... they could be spending time doing easier less stressful procedures. Plus if your refer to perio or OS for implants, sometimes they will help you make a restorative plan.

A lot of perio programs work in conjunction with prosth programs to learn the restorative process. There are several perio surgeons that get the referral, plan the case and send to the GP for approval since most dont know how to read CTs and plan on their own

 

[maxFax2020]

Better off to work with your local Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon for the surgical side of the case. As far as restorative goes a prosthodontist 90% of the time is more well trained but there are plenty of qualified general dentist.

 

[Debt Free DDS]

Prosthodontist unless the GP has the education and training and can do it well and handle any potential complications