The Dental Implant Team
It is estimated that 1/3 of older adults in the United States no longer have any natural teeth. This number may partially explain the growing popularity of dental implant treatment. What many people may not realize about dental implant treatment, is that the best treatments come from a successful dental implant team. Over time, advances in dental technology and techniques has led to unlimited possibilities for dental implant treatments. Implant treatment is now be possible for patients who in the past may have been ruled out as ineligible. Because of the advanced complexity of implant treatments, teamwork is now more essential than ever. While treatments have become more complicated, they all involve two primary steps: 1) a surgical procedure to place the implant in the jaw and 2) a restorative treatment to develop artificial teeth supported by the implants. Below is more information on dental implant treatment and implant treatment teams.
Why an Implant Team?
All dental implant treatments require advanced planning and coordination between the primary dentist and the oral surgeon. At the initial consultation visit, your primary dentist should discuss all of your options with you prior to developing your treatment plan. Together, you, your dentist, and your surgeon should develop and agree upon your personalized treatment plan. After the implant is placed, a several week healing period is required to allow time for the implant to fuse with the jaw bone. While you are waiting for your dental implant to heal, your dentist can make a temporary false tooth for you to wear. After your implant has fully healed, your surgeon will send you back to your dentist to have the final crown or restoration made and fitted. Your restoration may be made by your dentist or a local dental lab that they partner with. Regardless, the goal is a tooth replacement solution that is suited just for you.
Member of the Dental Implant Treatment
Today, a successful dental implant treatment is usually the product of an effective dental implant team. On a dental implant team, a well-trained general dentist may assume the full treatment of simple cases, while in more complex cases, a more extended team may be necessary. The basic dental implant team usually includes:
- General dentist: A general dentist who is skilled in dental implant diagnosis and therapy, general periodontal diagnosis and therapy, and dental implant surgery and is usually more than competent to lead the dental implant team.
- Dental nurse: All general dentists have a team of skilled nurses with experience in surgical assistance and perioperative care.
- Dental hygienist: Providers will also often have skilled hygienists with expertise in dental implant maintenance and knowledge in the implant procedure and recovery period.
- Oral Surgeon: Whether or not a surgeon is involved depends on the complexity of the dental implant treatment plan.
- Restorative dentist: A general dentist who performs dental implant surgery, often has expertise in restorative dentistry. The restorative dentist plays a critical role as the implant team coordinator. The restorative dentist will also:
- Understand the surgical considerations for implant placement
- Direct the patient to the appropriate implant team members
- Coordinate surgery and implant treatment planning
Maintenance assessment
After a dental implant has been successfully installed, the dental hygienist assumes the role of the team coordinator. At each dental visit, a thorough exam should occur, and the following protocols should be followed consistently:
- Regular hygiene maintenance visits – The frequency of the visits should be decided upon by the maintenance team (dentist, surgeon, and dental hygienist).
- Open conversation about implant status - The patient should be open to having a conversation and answering questioning about their implant(s) with the hygienist. If you are experiencing any pain and/or sensitivity you should notify your dentist as soon as possible.
- Routine clinical evaluations – the hygienist will want to make sure the implant is not mobile in the mouth, the tissue around the implant is supportive and not bleeding, and excessive plaque is not building up around the implant.
- Additionally, the hygienist may want to have X-rays taken periodically to confirm the proper placement of the implant in the bone.
Overall the implant treatment team should be dedicated to successfully completing the treatment plan and meeting your oral health needs. All members of the dental implant team should be knowledgeable and prepared to answer any patient questions. If you are considering dental implant treatment, you should have a conversation with your provider and discuss the implant team that will be available to you.