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I have two questions regarding an upcoming dental implant procedure. One of the things my dentist wants to do before getting my dental implants is a CT scan. Is this completely necessary? I feel we’ve already done a ton of x-rays and this feels like an unnecessary expense. Another question is about the brand of implants. Does that matter? He’s using a brand that doesn’t seem to be widely used and I wondered if that was a quality issue or if not, would it become an issue if I needed a hard-to-get replacement part?
Thanks,
Kevin
Dear Kevin,
I love the questions you asked. Both of them have a sizeable impact on the potential for dental implant failure. I think I will also add a third criterion that will make a huge difference as well.
Let’s start with your first question. Should you get a CT scan? Yes. I know you have had a lot of other x-rays, but I’m sure they were all two-dimensional. Dental implants are a three-dimensional procedure though. Your dentist will want an accurate representation of the landscape. This step can prevent avoidable complications, such as an implant perforating your sinus cavity or landing on a nerve, which makes your face numb.
As for the type of implant your dentist uses, being able to replace parts does not matter nearly as much as the quality output of the manufacturer. There are some manufacturers known for their high-quality implants that last for a long time. Here are the ones that top the list:
- Straumann
- Nobel Biocare
- 3i
- BioHorizons
- Zimmer
- Astrotech
Finally, and I would say this is the most important, would be the training and skill of the dentist. If you choose the right dentist to do your dental implants, they will make certain all the other issues are rightly addressed. The best implant dentists are diplomates with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). If you work with a dentist of this quality, you will be in the best hands possible.
This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentist Dr. John Theriot.