There are implant centers springing up all over the country and it can be confusing trying to determine whether the doctors in these implant centers have the expertise they claim to have. Some implant centers are not really centers per se, but rather general dentists that use the term “center” as part of a marketing strategy to attract dental implant patients. There are also large chains of dental clinics that have recently opened dedicated implant centers to take advantage of a new source of revenue, but they are not necessarily staffed with experienced clinicians.
Many implant centers are advertising the convenience of having everything provided under one roof; the surgical and restorative procedures. While it is certainly convenient for patients to have treatment provided in one location, convenience should not be the primary consideration with dental implant treatment. The most important factor should be the experience of the treating clinicians, especially since surgical procedures are involved.
One particular national chain of implant centers claims to be the leaders in implant dentistry, with more experience than any other practices in the country currently providing dental implant treatment. This claim is actually based on the volume of dental implants placed and restored in all of their centers combined. The centers have an Oral Surgeon and a Prosthodontist providing treatment and a laboratory technician onsite. The truth is that the some of the doctors in these centers are very experienced and some are less experienced than their colleagues in private practice. This chain promotes complete tooth replacement in one day with the All-on-4 treatment concept, as part of its business model. It is important to keep in mind that the advertising claims are intended to sell the services provided by the implant centers.
Patients considering having complete tooth replacement in an implant center that promotes All-on-4 should consult with a Prosthodontist in private practice, who can evaluate the situation and develop a personalized treatment plan. This second opinion can provide information about treatment options that could be better alternatives for certain patients than All-on-4 implants, as not everyone is an ideal candidate for this procedure.
