Medically reviewed by: Maher Jandali DMD, MD

Male Model for Dental ImplantsDental implants are one of the most popular tooth replacement solutions today. This procedure offers various benefits that other options cannot, and its long-lasting, natural-looking results make it both appealing and effective.

However, with those benefits comes a more complicated procedure. While the procedure may only be minimally invasive, it does require surgery, and if you want to ensure that your procedure goes as smoothly as possible, you should consider seeking an oral surgeon to perform it.

There are general dentists who are capable of providing the dental implant procedure. However, an oral surgeon is still the ide choice for this procedure for several reasons.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are a method of tooth replacement that involves the fusion of the implant to the jawbone through a process known as osseointegration. The implant is then connected to a natural-looking prosthetic tooth with the help of an abutment. The result is the strongest and most stable solution for missing teeth available on the market today.


Why Choose Dental Implants?

While each tooth replacement solution has its own set of unique advantages that are worth considering, dental implants are often one of the best possible options, and for good reason.

Unmatched Support

Dentures gain their support from your gums and, sometimes, a dental adhesive. For dental bridges, support is gained from the remaining teeth that are adjacent to the missing ones.

In contrast, dental implants are supported through integration with the jawbone. Dentures and dental bridges cannot compare to the strength and stability that dental implants can provide.

Natural Look

When you replace missing teeth, you want the replacement to look as natural as possible. While some dentures and bridges can do a decent job of this, they are not quite as natural-looking as a dental implant.

Maintaining Bone Density

One of the most important advantages that dental implants have over other tooth replacement options is their ability to stimulate bone growth.

Your tooth roots are responsible for the continuous growth of your jawbone, so when teeth go missing, you can lose bone density fairly quickly. This can result in a variety of issues, including a shifting of your facial structure and a changing of your appearance.


Why an Oral Surgeon Is the Ideal Option for Dental Implants

Should you decide that dental implants are the right option for your tooth replacement, then it is best to have the procedure done by an oral surgeon for several reasons:

It Is Their Specialty

While there are dentists who are capable of performing the implant procedure, such procedures are an oral surgeon’s specialty.

A dentist who qualifies as an oral surgeon has years’ worth of additional training compared to a general dentist. To specialize in oral surgery, a dentist must hold a Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree, which can require six additional years of education, training, and experience.

An oral surgeon has a vast amount of experience with all of the various steps in a dental implant procedure, as well as any procedures that may coincide with it. This means that they are highly likely to execute your procedure successfully.

They May Be Able to Offer More Sedation Dentistry Options

The dental implant procedure may not be overly invasive, but you will still require some sort of sedation while you receive yours. Oral surgeons are often able to administer a broader range of sedatives, which can be crucial if you are someone who feels uncomfortable or anxious during dental procedures.

An Oral Surgeon Provides Comprehensive Care

Dental implants are not the only procedure that an oral surgeon is capable of performing. An oral surgeon can take care of many of the more complex dental procedures you may require.

For example, perhaps you will need a tooth extraction, a soft tissue graft, a bone graft, or another procedure before you can receive the implant. If that is the case, an oral surgeon will be able to provide you with those procedures.

The ability of oral surgeons to provide comprehensive care is not only more convenient, but it can also help to make you feel more comfortable throughout the whole process.

Getting Started with Dental Implants

Check out Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville’s overview of the dental implant process.

Dental Implants Overview