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According to the American Dental Association, there are approximately 203,000 dentists in the United States. Not all dentists can offer every type of service, however — especially when dealing with dental implants. If you have missing teeth and want to get dental implants, you need an implant dentist.
Services to Expect
An implant dentist can offer many services, including implants, dentures, and more.
Dental Implants
As the name suggests, implant dentists have experience performing dental implants. Dental implants are titanium posts that attach to your jaw or gum and function like the roots of your teeth. They can help you eat and speak more easily than wearing traditional dentures, and they can also prevent jawbone loss.
There are standard dental implants that have two parts, including the post and the abutment on which the false tooth sits, as well as mini dental implants that are smaller and do not require abutments. Mini implants only require one or two appointments, while standard implants can require more visits.
Implant Dentures
An implant dentist can also offer dentures that work together with implants, including:
- Implant-retained dentures
- Permanent dentures
Implant-retained dentures attach to dental implants, fixing them in place and offering more stability than traditional dentures. They are removable so you can clean them each night.
Permanent dentures are similar to implant-retained dentures but only your dentist can remove them.
Dental Bridges
An implant dentist can also offer dental bridges, including those that use implants. A dental bridge can be made up of two crowns on either side of the gap that act as supports for the false tooth (pontic). Some bridges require only one crown while others use metal “wings” cemented behind the adjacent teeth to hold the pontic in place.
There are also implant-supported bridges that, instead of using crowns or metal wings cemented in place, use dental implants to hold the false tooth.
Choosing an Implant Dentist
To find the best implant dentist, you want to look for someone who has experience providing the services you need. Find out the kind of training the dentist has, as well, and see if they completed specialized training for implant services.
Spend time reading the experiences previous clients have had; it is easy to find this information online. Make sure to consider the ratio of positive to negative reviews when making your choice.
Ask about costs and payment options to know if your insurance plan covers the services you need. If it does not, you want to have different payment options you can turn to, including third-party financing.
The location of the dentist’s office also needs to be convenient. If you need to get a complex procedure that requires multiple appointments, having to travel a long distance can be frustrating.
Contact an Expert Implant Dentist
If you have missing teeth and want to replace them with implants, turning to an implant dentist can be the right option. At Vegas Dental Experts, Dr. Harvey Chin provides mini dental implants, dental bridges (including implant-supported options), and dentures that rely on implants to remain in place. Call us now to learn more about our services and to schedule a free consultation.
