Myths & Misconceptions

Most patients are under the impression that any dentist is qualified to surgically place dental implants. However, there is no comparison between the amount of surgical training that Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Periodontists receive during their post-graduate residency programs and the surgical training that most general dentists have received.

Numerous dentists advertise that they have advanced credentials requiring a certain level of specialized expertise with dental implant treatment. These claims are questionable at best. These “credentials” are not recognized by the American Dental Association and implant dentistry is not a recognized specialty, as there are surgical and restorative aspects of dental implant treatment.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Bargain dental implant treatment rarely turns out to be a bargain. Far too many people have found that cutting corners can result in serious problems with treatment outcomes and their only option has been to have the treatment completely redone at a substantial cost. In some cases, the damage can never be totally repaired.

Mini implants are advertised as the ideal, affordable solution for stabilizing dentures. Unfortunately, many patients do not realize that mini implants are meant to be a short-term solution and they proceed with treatment they hope will solve their problems wearing dentures, only to find that the only long-term solution is to have traditional dental implants.

Advertising claims abound regarding the supposed advantages of implant “super” centers, from claims of being the leaders in implant dentistry to having more experience than other clinicians. While these claims and the promises of all new teeth in one day are attractive, it is important to recognize that advertising is designed to sell, not inform.

Teeth-in-a-Day is a concept that is very appealing to consumers. Who wouldn’t want everything completed all in one day? It’s true that the dental implants and provisional prosthesis are placed the same day; however, the entire process takes more than one day, with appointments for diagnostics and planning, as well as the delivery of the final prosthesis.

Dental implant centers, as well as dental and surgical practices throughout the country are promoting complete tooth replacement with the All-on-4 treatment concept. It seems as though this is the answer for anyone missing all of their upper or lower teeth and although it is a good option for many people, not everyone is a good candidate for this procedure.