My general dentist has told me that I should consider getting some dental implants. I lost three teeth in a boating accident when I was a teenager. I am 40 now, and have had a dental bridge for all these years. The x-rays that my dentist takes show that there is a lot of bone loss where the teeth were, and my dentist does not want to let that situation continue.

He wants to do dental implants, and says he could do the work unless it requires bone grafting, in which case he would refer me to an oral surgeon for that. I think I would rather just go to a specialist for the whole procedure. How can you tell if you need bone grafting? My dentist did not say. Seems like you would be able to tell from the x-rays, but maybe there is more to it?

Also, how do I know if I even CAN get bone grafting done? I am not in good health. My regular doctor does not sound very excited about me undergoing surgery, though he did not say “don’t do it”. I guess all of this uncertainty is making me very nervous, and wondering if the procedure is worth the risk.

Thanks for any information you can give me,

Shelia in New Orleans, LA

Dear Shelia,

We would suggest a consultation with your dentist, the specialist you and your dentist choose to do the procedure, and your regular physician. You should be in good general health for the best chances of a successful bone grafting procedure, and you say that your health is not good. Is your general dentist fully aware of your health problems? He may change his recommendation if he has the full picture of your overall health.

The dentist who does the implants will consider your x-rays and CT scans, and then consider your case in light of all other health information. Like the field of cosmetic dentistry, dental implant dentistry is not recognized as an official speciality are by the American Dental Association, so you’ll have to be cautious about choosing the specialist. You’ll want someone who has demonstrated success with dental implants, and who has extensive training beyond dental school.

There is no one way to determine who is the best dental implant dentist in your area, but some techniques are to consult the websites of dentists in your area, and find one that advertises that he or she does dental implants. If they have pursued the extra training, chances are very good that they will mention this either on their home page or on the “About the Dentist” page. Look for training at facilities such as the International Congress of Oral Implantology, the Academy of Osseointegration, or the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.

This blog post is supported by the dental office of Lafayette Louisiana cosmetic dentist Dr. Malone.