Why choose a surgical specialist? With so many fields in the area of dentistry it can often be confusing to determine which specialist can do what for any particular issue. Many procedures can be performed by several different specialists whose abilities and areas of study overlap. Dental surgery is one of those areas that a number of different fields often perform. If you look-up dental surgery on the internet you will find information about general dentists performing surgeries like extractions, cosmetic gum surgery, and even doing dental implants. The important thing to keep in mind when considering dental surgery is that there are inherent risks to any such procedure and you should take every step to mitigate those risks when undergoing surgery. Your health is at stake and you want a professional who does such operations as part of his everyday routine to handle your surgery. Often times dentists will offer implant placement and can occasionally provide differing levels of bone and soft tissue foundations. The cost of these procedures can be less than similar (superior) procedures provided by trained surgical specialists, and therefore tempting. The outcome of failed dental implant procedures can often mean needing a skin or bone graft and removal of the failed implant. Add this to the expense of getting the implant installed a second time and the cost can skyrocket. When looking for a specialist to perform a dental implant you ought to keep a few things in mind. You want a competent, properly trained, and certified doctor to provide you with advanced levels of care. You want someone who is prepared for any eventuality and can give you both peace of mind and top quality care. Common Misconceptions About Dental SurgeryIt is often assumed that because procedures like dental implants have such a high success rate and last for such a long time, it must be a standard and easy procedure for any dental expert to perform. The truth of the matter is dental implant procedures are highly successful because most have been placed by trained specialists who have a deep knowledge of the procedure because they attended surgical residency programs. Specialists, like Dr. Davis, are highly trained and have an in-depth knowledge of important surgical techniques and are ready to treat any surgical complications that may arise during a procedure. One thing many people do not understand about the dental field is that there is a significant difference between post-graduate residency programs that train surgical specialists (like periodontists and oral surgeons) and brief continuation of education courses that introduce procedures like dental implants to general dentists. There is a massive amount of training and experience that goes into becoming a surgical specialist and it is that experience that you want at your side when you are having any surgical procedure done. If dental implants are something you are considering you may want to consider some of the following questions to help you make an informed decision about your treatment. What is your specialty?Periodontists and oral/maxillofacial surgeons are the only ADA recognized surgical specialists.  Periodontists specialize in the areas around the teeth like the gums. They are trained in typical surgical procedures like bone grafts and dental implants. Oral inflammation and periodontal diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis are their area of extreme expertise.They are schooled for an additional three years of specialty education and surgical training beyond dental school. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to treat people with issues such as: facial pain, wisdom teeth, and misaligned jaws. If you have suffered from an accident in which your jaw or mouth was injured, you would want to see an oral surgeon. They also deal with issues like tumors, cysts, bone grafts, and dental implant placement. After dental school, these doctors are trained in a hospital-based residency program for at least four years. Implantologists are not considered accredited specialists. How much training/experience does your specialist have?Any dental professional will be more than happy to share their training and experience accreditations with you. It's is to your advantage to seek treatment from a professional who takes pride in their continuing education through training courses and constantly seeks to further their scientific knowledge. Dr. Davis is always furthering his education in the realm of dental implants and periodontics. He cares about your health and wants to make sure that you are receiving top quality care from himself and his team. Keeping his team up-to-date on industry best practices is his highest concern. Ask to Speak to Other PatientsFind out if people have been happy with the implant procedure provided to them by their dental professional. Online reviews are a great resource to take advantage of as well. Ask to Speak to the Team About Dental ImplantsIf you ask the team about dental implants and they are not able to easily answer your question, there is a good chance that they don't frequently perform the procedure. Before and After PhotosAny surgical specialist who has had a practice running for a decent amount of time will have plenty of before and after photos to share with you. It's good to educate yourself as to how the procedure will be done and it will allow you to get a good idea of what to expect from the surgery. Come See us!Here at the Arizona Institute for Periodontics and Dental Implants we take great pride in our work ethic and ability to deliver stellar results on every single operation. Our primary goal is your safety and we take that very seriously. Dr. Davis is prepared for every eventuality and complication that may arise in surgery. We want to make sure you are happy with your smile and the health of your mouth. Please give our office a call at (623) 584-0664 for a no obligation consultation today. We look forward to helping you achieve your oral health goals! |
Leslie I. Davis, BDS, DDS, PC 13802 W Camino del Sol Suite 103 Sun City West, AZ 85375-4486 Phone: (623) 584-0664 Fax: (623) 584-1728 Hours:
Monday: 7am-3pm Tuesday: 7am-3pm Wednesday: 7am-3pm Thursday: 7am-3pm Friday: Closed Call us at to request an appointment Initial Consultations |
