Did you ever play the game Telephone as a kid? You know, the one where a group of friends stand in a line and pass a sentence from person to person by whispering in each-others ears? Often, the sentence relayed by the person at the end was quite different than when it started.
The same can be said about information regarding dental implants. Personal experiences of individuals get embellished or simply misinterpreted by others and, by the time you hear them, you have to wonder how much truth is actually still in them. Pasadena, Glendale, and La Canada dental implants patients may find themselves confused with all this misinformation flying about, so we’d like to address a number of common myths to help separate fact from fiction.
Myth #1: Any dentist is qualified to surgically place dental implants
Though it is technically true that any licensed dentist is able to place dental implants, it’s not necessarily advisable for to allow them to do so. Oral surgeons undergo extensive training and have experience with surgical procedures and the complications that can arise during them. In today’s marketplace, there are a number of non-surgical dentists performing implant procedures after completing courses often shorter than two weeks in length. While they are legally able to do so, do you really want to trust your dental implants to anyone other than an experienced oral surgeon?
Myth #2: Implant supercenters are the leaders in implant dentistry and have more experience than other practices.
While it is true that some dentists affiliated with implant supercenters do have a great deal of experience and may even be leaders in implant dentistry, this is not a blanket assumption that can be applied to all supercenter dentists. What’s more is that these implant supercenters do not guarantee that their surgeons will all be at a certain level of qualification, and the sheer volume of patients they see doesn’t necessarily lend itself to providing each with the same quality, care, expertise, or leadership that you’re likely to experience at hundreds of private oral surgery practices around the nation. We recommend that patients ask their general dentist for recommendations on implant treatment and get a formal referral to an experienced surgical specialist. You should also spend some time researching your options to find the best fit. More information can be obtained by visiting www.missingteeth.org.
Myth #3: All dental implant treatment is the same, so it makes sense to shop for the lowest cost.
In a perfect world, this statement would be true and every implant surgeon out there would provide the very best quality treatment to every patient. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. In an effort to play the price game and cut costs, some practices also cut corners during the examination and planning stages of implant treatments. They use lower quality materials for the implants and even the replacement teeth themselves, resulting in implants that don’t fit, function, or last the way they should. All too often, patients who go the route of the lowest bidder find themselves paying more in the long-run for replacements and corrective work.
Myth #4: It’s better to be treated at an implant supercenter where everything is done under one roof.
This is certainly a convenient option, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the best one. Dental implant treatment involves very complicated surgical and prosthetic procedures and shouldn’t be trusted to just anyone. Supercenters don’t guarantee the level of expertise of their surgeons, but expertise is the thing you should be most concerned about. If you’re thinking about implant treatment, visit http://www.missingteeth.org for more information regarding the selection of an experienced team of doctors.
Myth #5: “Teeth in a day” represents advanced technology that is now available for anyone and is less expensive than traditional implant treatment.
While it’s true that “Teeth in a Day” is a legitimate dental procedure that is very helpful for those who qualify for it, you should know that it isn’t for everyone. There are criteria a patient must meet in order for this to be a good option, and though regrettable, fewer situations qualify than we might like. When applied to the All-on-4® treatment concept, it is possible for this to provide significant cost savings due to the fewer number of implants required when replacing entire upper and/or lower teeth sets, but for individual teeth, this may not be the case. Consult with your oral surgeon to learn whether you’re a good candidate for this procedure.
Myth #6: Mini implants can be substituted for standard dental implants and they are not invasive. They are permanent and more affordable than other implants.
While this claim may be true in part, it’s important to understand that mini implants are not intended to replace traditional dental implants. They were actually developed as transitional implants, providing only temporary stabilization until permanent implants can be placed. They aren’t meant to support final bridges or crowns and are actually prone to fracture over time due to their size. Lastly, mini implants are only indicated for certain patient situations. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are bad or useless, but you should consult with your oral surgeon to see if they represent any true benefit to you.
Have more questions about dental implants? Pasadena, Glendale and La Canada’s experts, Lytle, Tate & Stamper, are here to help. Call to schedule your consultation today. La Canada – (818) 952 – 8183 Pasadena – (626) 792 – 3161 Glendale – (818) 240 – 1805
