Is there such a thing as a dental implant specialist? The ADA and the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards does not have a specialty in dental implants. New Jersey Board of Dentistry forbids any dentist from using the term “specializing in ” any but the 12 recognized categories. There is a large corporate dental organization that runs an ad on TV where the patient giving the testimony says I came to You because you specialize in dental implants. That commercial runs in New Jersey, and that group is violating state law. The doctor that the patient is talking to, did her treatment and is a prosthodontist. Prosthodontist need only place four implants in their program and put the fixed bridgework on to graduate. I hope the next time I get on a plane the captain has flown more than four times. Learning dental implants comes with study, knowledge and DOING. I scuba dive, as well as my cousin does as well. I actually have a higher skill level certification card them him because I took more classes them him, and passed the written course and did the required dives to get the c card. Believe me, he has done hundreds of more dives then me, he by far is the better diver and has way more prowess and ability particularly when things get tough. This doctor did a two year full time fellowship in dental implants in 1986 -1988. While i was there i placed over 60 cylinder or root form implants and more importantly restored them with fixed bridgework. I always say that putting the implants in is like conceiving a child doing the bridgework is like raising the kid. The latter is harder and takes way more work.
If you go to one of the corporate dental offices you don’t even get to see the doctor until you sign the treatment plan and PAY. You will be told he or she is busy treating other people but he or she has reviewed your records and devised your treatment plan. you will be there for about 3 hours being shown the facility and the lab and be given the cost. Yes there cost per arch is under 200 dollars a month at 29 percent APR for Years !
So what is a patient to do, meet with doctor ask frank questions but more important does the office look a little too busy? Do you feel that you are being sold a time share or treatment , do the google reviews complain about the doctor running late all the time or you can’t meet with him. I for one do not want the air line pilot running on the plane last and all flustered , right that’s a problem! Consults at my office are always at no charge and you will get to meet me.
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