There is a saying, "A Jack of all trades, a Master of none." While dental implants require an expert knowlege of the structures of the mouth, many oral physicians and dentists providing dental implant procedures may not have adequate training to properly complete a dental implant procedure.
Two main organizations offer specific training in dental implants. The first is the International Congress of Oral Implantology (ICOI) and the second is the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). Both organizations are considered the respected authorities in dental implants in both the United States and the world. Both offer training with accreditation as the dentist progresses from the basic to the more advanced levels. Dr. Paris has been an active member and participant in the ICOI and has achieved the highest level in both the surgical placement in dental implants (Diplomate of the ICOI) and the restorative phase (Mastership in the Prosthodontic Section of the ICOI). These levels are accomplished with the completion of extensive course work, written exams, oral exams by accredited peers and acceptance of submitted cases completed by the dental implant specialist.
As a patient, it is up to you to ask your dentist or dental specialist what level of training he or she has achieved in either of these organizations, ICOI or AAID. If you have to ask, chances are they have not achieved these advanced levels of training. So do you want to be treated by someone who is learning on the job, or someone who is already trained to do the job? In many cases, the patient is not benefiting from such training but contributing to it.
"Buyer beware." Be cautious of the "cheapest price" when it comes to dental implants. Generic implants exist, which are not manufactured under the same sterilization and quality control as the "brand-name" implants. These generic implants do not provide the long-term durability that people need and expect out of dental implants. One company goes so far as to tell their implant buyers to expect a 20% to 30% failure rate. Aside from the general failure of the implant, another problem is that the failing implant can often cause infection and damage to adjacent teeth. First, who will fix this for you? Second, will they know how to fix it? Third, who is going to pay for it?
Unless they have special training in dental implants, neither the surgeon nor the restoring dentist will recognize they are using these sub-standard implants. Dr. Paris has been placing implants for over 20 years, only uses brand-name implants, and is now offering the restorative phase of dental implants in his office.
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