If a pt needs an implant, is it best performed by a periodontist or prosthodontist?

[UConnDoIt]

Or oral surgeon? Which specialty has a better education or background to perform implants? Is a GP more likely to refer to one specialty versus the other?

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[parkinglottoilet]

Good bait

 

[deleted1082923]

Every specialty is going to claim they’re the best at placing implants. That being said, oral surgeons were the first to begin placing implants. Periodontists do also place a lot of implants in their training programs these days, so I would say they are a good choice too.

 

[dentistrydmd]

So there is likely a place for each of the specialties in placing implants. For the more involved, medically complex patients requiring implants (including zygomatic implants) OMFS is probably the way to go. If you're looking for ideal soft tissue management, probably a periodontist would be the way to go. If you're looking for a holistic treatment planning centered approach and ideal location of implant/prosthetics, then a prosthodontist would be the best way to go. It seems that nowadays the majority of implants are being placed by GP's however.

One thing to keep in mind is that with all the periimplantitis issues we are seeing with implants nowadays, the root cause typically comes down to treatment planning of the implants, not so much the surgery itself. Not sure how much patients will really know about this. With that being said, dentists will refer to with whom they have a better relationship or better treatment outcomes.

 

[FutureDent020]

Good bait

Yea, here for the comment section

 

[Rambunctious]

Or oral surgeon? Which specialty has a better education or background to perform implants? Is a GP more likely to refer to one specialty versus the other?

Oral pathologist

 

[deleted923283]

Maxillofacial radiologist

 

[desertrat12]

Dental therapist

 

[DrTMD]

Hold on a sec while I grab my popcorn

 

[SilkyJ]

For straightforward single implant cases, it probably does not matter. For really complex cases, these are often managed in a multidisciplinary fashion anyway.

In a more practical sense, in your given area, “who does it best” probably has more to do with the individual’s skills/experience more than what specialty they come from.

 

[Contach]

There are good prosthodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons and GPs who can all do great jobs. I've also seen ****ty providers in each of these specialties placing ****ty implants.
For a layperson, it's less important to find someone who belongs to a certain specialty, and more important to hear about their reputation in the community. And the patient should also like the provider and their office.

 

[ThirdMolarz]

dental student. cheapest option