Do I Need an Oral Surgeon for Bone Grafting

I am getting dental implants. My dentist has a lot of experience with placing dental implants. But, I need bone grafting. He did tell me he’s been doing grafting for a few years, but I assumed I’d need an oral surgeon. Is it safe for a dentist to do it?

Lori

Dear Lori,

I’m glad you wrote. There are some general dentists who do a great job with oral surgery, including advanced procedures such as sinus lifts or impacted teeth. If he’s been doing it for a few years, he’s likely pretty good at it. One thing I would check is where he received his training for the implant and bone grafting procedure. I don’t mean dental school. That is not adequate training. It needs to be post doctoral.

Some of the better institutions for dental implants are:

• International Congress of Oral Implantologists
• Misch Implant Institute
• American Academy of Implant Dentistry
• Engel Institute
• Los Angeles Institute of Advanced Dental Studies

I wish I knew which dentist it was. One thing you could do is look at his reviews. If he’s been doing this a few years and is terrible at it, someone would have posted a negative review about that.

You didn’t mention how many implants you are getting. I’m guessing with needing bone grafting that you are getting implant supported dentures. Though, sometimes people need bone grafting for single teeth too.

I just want to mention in case you are not getting a full denture that whatever color you make the dental crowns for the implants in permanent. If you’re teeth are the level of whiteness you are happy with, then fantastic. But, if you are going to want them whiter at some point, you are better off having teeth whitening done first. This way the crown for your dental implant can be created to match the color you will want permanently.

If you don’t do that and decide to whiten your teeth later, then you will have to replace the crowns to match the updated color of your teeth.

This blog is brought to you by Angel’s Smile Dental Care, the only female-owned dental practice in Draper, UT.