Choosing The Right Implant Dentist

Ok, so you just ate a piece of popcorn and cracked a tooth. Ouch! Or maybe you have been missing a tooth for a long time and your grandchild just noticed and asked you why you have that dark space between your teeth? Or maybe, you know what, you have sacrificed for your kids your entire life, and now it is your turn to enhance your smile and make yourself look 10 years younger by closing some gaps or spaces and making your teeth whiter. You know you need a dentist, but what kind? Who should you call for dental implant treatments: a Cosmetic dentist? Orthodontist for dental implants? Family dentist? An Oral Surgeon?

A quick and useful guide of all of the "dontists" and "dentists".

Family Dentist: A family dentist performs dentistry on people of all ages, from young children to elderly adults. This type of dentist does not focus their practice on any particular types of procedures, and can take care of many dental needs, making family dentists a convenient choice for simple dentistry. Treatments can range from cleanings, sealants, fillings, dentures, crowns/caps, bridgework, cosmetic dental tooth whitening, extractions, to root canal treatments. Because of their breadth of services offered, family dentists do not focus on any one particular aspect of dentistry.

Cosmetic Dentist: Technically, a cosmetic dentist is a dentist whose focus is to perform aesthetic dentistry on front and back teeth. But, because there is no formal specialty called "cosmetic dentistry" you will see many dental practices labeling themselves for "family and cosmetic dentistry." So if you are looking for a dentist who can most effectively enhance your appearance or make that black space between your back teeth go away pick a cosmetic dentist. This type of dentist will usually limit their practice only to the treatment of adults, often in a more relaxed, less stressful atmosphere. Usually cosmetic dentists see only a few patients each day, allowing themselves and their patients longer appointments to accomplish exquisite/detailed cosmetic results. So how can you tell if the dentist is actually a cosmetic denitst? A dentist who has actually engaged themselves in the study of cosmetic dentistry and has taken upon themselves advanced training in this field will usually proudly display and prominently reveal this information when asked. Cosmetic dentists will usually limit their practice to the restoration and enhancement/ beautification of your teeth. When dental implants are required, for example, a cosmetic dentist in Westchester NY will place the aesthetic implant crown, but usually refer the patient to an oral surgeon or periodontist for the surgical part of the procedure. If tooth movement is needed, cosmetic dentists will usually offer the option for clear braces (like Invisalign or Clear Correct). When fine aesthetic results are desired on front or back teeth, or when you would like your dentistry performed in a more relaxed type of atmosphere, consider a cosmetic dentist.

Orthodontist: An Orthodontist is a dentist who limits their dental practice to the movement of teeth. An orthodontist in NY undergoes 2-3 years of advanced training to become an orthodontist. A board certified orthodontist then engages in even further study and must pass a rigorous set of tests. While an orthodontist performs simple tooth movements (sometimes using Invisalign or Clear Correct clear braces) an orthodontist is expert for more complicated issues of tooth movement, jaw size discrepancies, and congenital birth defects. Orthodontists in NY are also highly trained in issues of growth modification for children 7-12 years old; growth modification (such as speeding up the development of one's upper or lower jaw) can often reduce the time needed wearing conventional orthodontic wires and brackets.

Oral Surgeons: An oral surgeon in NY is a dentist who has undergone at least 4 years of advanced training after completion of dental school. Oral surgeons limit their practice to the removal of teeth, surgical repairs of birth defects (such as cleft palate), surgery to remove lesions/ growths/ tumors from in and around the jaw area, and surgery in the area of the jaw joint. Oral surgeons are also expert in the surgical placement of dental implants. While family dentists may choose to place dental implants (and are certainly qualified to do so), oral surgeons will often have more advanced diagnostic ability and more experience in dental implant treatments. This leaves the surgeon in a better position in case of complications and in cases of more complex anatomy.