How to Choose an Implant Dentist

You may have noticed that there are many dentists who claim to be “experts” in dental implants.  Even if they do not claim to be “experts,” many dentists still say they “do implants.”  The average dentist may be involved in 1-10 implants per year.  I typically see 4-5 cases per day.  

Most dentists receive very little formal training in dental implantology.  Many dentists take a couple of weekend crash courses and start surgery from there.

Be sure to ask specifically about the dentists experience…even if it is just one implant.  A minor error can have long term consequences.

About 30% of what I perform is “re-do” implant dentistry… Saving, removing or replacing implants with problems.

Most dentists only do one part of the implant.  They either do the surgery or  they make the teeth.  I do both.  This makes me very unique.  It also helps to reduce cost and the teeth turn out nicer since the all factors are in control of one person.  You must go to two different offices when your dentist only does one part.

Do your due diligence and research. Good treatment will last for decades and poor treatment will give decades of problems.  

I am a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry (ABOI/ID)

IMG_0537The ABOI/ID is a certification agency that serves independently to protect members of the public who seek dental implant care. The designation signifies that these dentists have met the highest criterion in oral implantology – they have met educational and experiential standards; and, they have reached an in-depth level of knowledge and acquired the highest level of skill and ability.

Since 1969, only 359 dentists in the United States have passed this rigorous Board Certification process.  This honorable title makes me extremely well qualified in all dental implant and bone grafting procedures. This is implant dentistry’s “Hall of Fame.”

Aaid logo In addition,  I am a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.

Fellows have been certified by their peers and have met national standards of education and practice in oral implantology. Due to the more extensive experiential requirements for Fellow Membership, Fellows are required to demonstrate advanced knowledge and experience in implant dentistry.

There are 150,000 dentists in the U.S. to choose from…you are in good hands with me!

Ramsey A. Amin, D.D.S.
Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology /Implant Dentistry
Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry
Burbank, California
https://www.burbankdentalimplants.com

 

 

27 thoughts on “How to Choose an Implant Dentist”

  1. I went to a member of the ABOI/ID and he did a terrible job. You seem to be a fantastic dentist with a real care for his patients. He was the exact opposite, so I guess you never know what you’re going to get.

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  2. Dr. Amin

    I have two implants installed on March 2018 on the upper left side of my mouth. In a few days I have experienced severe pain on the left side of my jaw, face and gum. Pain shooting thru the ear. It is esoessiLly sensitive to the cold: air, food, water. Is that possible to determine whether bone grafting or/and implants pressing somewhere on the nerv that caused such pain?

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    • You should go back and see your dentist right away. This may or may not be normal considering the extent of your surgery. I don’t know if you had a super complex bone graft or just something simple

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    • if it was pressing on a nerve that problem would have been known to you way back in March 2018. This is an unrelated issue of either surgical or prosthetic complications/failure. It is possible to determine the problem with a good clinical exam, photographs and some x-rays. Hopefully everything will be easily corrected because you have not even have the implant that long at all. It could also be another tooth right next door!!

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  3. My 8 top front teeth were crowned 2 years. These 8 teeth #5-#12 had a long history of root canals, bondings, fillings etc and were very discolored. As a gift for my 70th birthday my son gave me the crowns.
    Since then two of those teeth fell out(# 6 and #9) and had to have posts placed to hold them in place( when they came out I noted there was Very Little tooth near gum on #9 and #6 had a little more tooth but dentist noted that to him there was little tooth thereto work with.. I have been told not to eat anything that requires pulling of teeth, so I cut everything into small pieces .
    The dentist who did the original crowns and then use post to replace #9 crown, when it fell out 10 months later, has left this practice and moved away. However, the dentist, who owns the practice and worked on last one that fell out #6 suggests the . following options.
    #1 option… to get 2 implants with a specialist( which is $5200). and he will pay for two replacement crowns and” flippers” but I pay him $1700. or a 2 implant abutment )
    #2 he will build a bridge for number #6 ..free of charge…. and get implant for #9 he will pay for crown but I pay for the abutment $850,
    I am unsure which to do as a bridge concerns me if my other teeth can support a bridge etc.. Also, I have lived with post in #9 for a year.and wonder if a post with little tooth support can last much longer. I would like to get 2 implants but, the financial concerns are overwhelming for me ( My son can’t afford or pay for another birthday gift!!)
    As I see it my options are :
    .Live with it as is …and pray they never fall out again.
    . get a bridge for #6 and hope #9 lasts another 10 years ( figure I will hopefully live longer then that but )
    . Get 2 implants …so pricey ..I also just wonder if the dentist insurance doesn’t cover situations where surely the original crowns didn’t have enough tooth support and more of the cost could be covered for the implants…it just seems wrong to pay over $1000. for each crown and then have them drop out
    I really appreciate your thoughts. Thank you

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    • Thank you for your kind words. It sounds like the teeth you had probably should not have been really restored again because they were weak. Posts do not make teeth stronger…. They simply hold in crowns and buildups but the root becomes Hollow…. Even worse that the original dentist isn’t there.

      I would never advised to bridged together to root canal teeth. Teeth that have posts by the very nature have root canals. They often will break and have limited tooth structure. Go with the implant route but of course I have never seen you were evaluated your root structure. Sometimes a crown lengthening can be done to elongate the root to grab onto but this can cause some cosmetic compromises making the teeth look too long.

      Ask your dentist how long this is expected to last and would they do this in their own mouth!!!

      Very respectfully

      Ramsey A. Amin, D.D.S.

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  4. I live in Tampa, Florida, Can you recommend a DDS here that can HONESTLY evaluate my pre-molar that has a root canal and post and the condition of my decayed 2nd molar, if it can be filled, root canal and post or implant. I have a pontic tooth between the 2 teeth that I want evaluated. I left my dentist because I did not agree with his plan or price. He put a temporary bridge in a week ago.

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    • This post is intended to help you choose a high-level implant dentist. I do not personally no anyone in the Tampa area.

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  5. Looking for a dentist in Detroit michigan who also makes the teeth does the implant.not happy with my dentist. Actually don’t think she has enough experience with a lower denture and stabilization.also her price is extremely higher than high end doing my homework. Any names for my area in state of michigan.

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    • this article is intended to help you find an implant dentist. There are many wonderful and skilled dentists out there. Do your due diligence.
      Good luck

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  6. If the surgeons in my area are NOT on this list which seems like its hard as he%% to get on as they only have 359 should I be worried? Sort of a silly question but I am serious, hes not on there 🙁

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    • those that are specifically board certified in implant dentistry are extremely committed and practice the most advanced levels of implant dentistry. Many many dentists do dental implants but very few have taken it to this level. It does not mean that your dentist is bad because he does not have this only that he or she has not achieved or does not want to achieve this level of skill.

      The ABOI/ID Diplomate designation symbolizes the highest level of competence in implant dentistry. Certification by the ABOI/ID attests to the fact that a dentist has demonstrated knowledge, ability, and proficiency in implant dentistry through a rigorous examination process.

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  7. Thank you for your dedication to dentistry! I petrified of the dentist which has not helped my teeth at all lol! Can you recommend someone in the Wellington/west palm beach area in Flordia that you feel confident knows everything you do?
    Thank you so much for your help

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    • Janine,

      Being hypothyroid is not a contraindication for a titanium dental implant. Being hypothyroid does not indicate a ceramic/zirconia dental implant. This is based on years of scientific literature and experience in the field. I have placed thousands of dental implants. Many of those were on patients with compromised thyroids, HIV, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, pulmonary issues, fibromyalgia, etc., etc., etc. there is no link between metallic, titanium dental implants and systemic disease.

      Literature dates back 30-40 years at this point. We would’ve known a long time ago if there was problems with dental implants and people who are hypothyroid. Nonmetal implants have not been around long enough to judge this properly….. Maybe that will change in a decade from now.

      Respectfully,

      Dr. Amin 😉

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  8. I just got my #3 tooth extracted on 2/11/15, dr said it would take until May to heal, but after reading your post I would like to get a CeraRoot implant asap, who would you recommend in the Baltimore, MD area? I would really appreciate it.
    Thank you,
    Janine Wise

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    • Hi Janine,

      As of February 2015, I would not suggest this type of implant. This implant is made of zirconia which is a wonderful material for crowns and abutments but does not have a long track record of success as the actual implant itself.

      This schematic will help you see the parts of a dental implant

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  9. Wonderful web site. Lots of useful info here. I’m sending it to a few friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks to your effort!

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  10. Hi Patty,
    Blood thinners can be used dental implant surgery and bone grafting. Your dentist will probably have your blood drawn to look for certain parameters. Platelet count, INR, PT, PTT, and bleeding time are just a few of many considerations that your implant dentist will probably discuss with you.
    Good Luck!
    Ramsey A. Amin, D.D.S.
    Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology /Implant Dentistry
    Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry
    Burbank, California
    https://www.burbankdentalimplants.com

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  11. Dear Dr Amin,
    I appreciate the information on your site.
    Will anticoagulant therapy from a drug eluting stent or oral blood thinner medication affect bone graft healing?
    Thank you in advance for you reply,
    Patty Campbell

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  12. Thank you Dr. Amin for placing implants in my mom and dad. I have noticed they both have a new sense of confidence in they’re smile. They are so happy and smile all the time. They were surprised to not having any pain after the procedure. Our family would recommend you to anyone who needs dental implants.

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  13. I just want to ask what are the other ways that I can use to make sure that the dentist that will implant my teeth was a knowledgeable one? I have no doubts on the dentist knowledge, I just want to be sure and safe.

    Reply

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