Choosing an implantologist

Here, we've gathered a few tips to help with choosing an implantologist.

Obviously we're biased, and think that Maria's work is second to none.

But, having implants is a big decision and one that you should take your time over.  Dental implants cost you a lot of money and effort.  Done well, they're worth every penny; they'll change your life.  Done badly, and you could end up with a result that's worse than you have now.

You get what you pay for, so be realistic – there might be a reason why a treatment is comparatively cheap.

We do get patients here who have had poor results elsewhere.  We're always happy to explore options and remedies with you in a totally non-judgemental way and we have the capabilities to manage most situations.

But our best advice is to know where possible problems could occur and deal with them before they arise.  And choose your implantologist wisely.

To help you do that, we've provided a few questions to ask of ANY clinician who is offering you implant services, including those abroad

  • What experience do they have?  Be very clear about the clinician’s expertise and qualifications.
  • How many implants have they actually placed?
  • Can you see clear case studies?
  • What brand of implants are going to be used?
  • What guarantees do they offer?
  • Any treatment can go wrong, as no surgery is without risk.  What will happen if it goes wrong?  Are you completely comfortable that the clinician you are seeing has the breadth of experience to handle anything that arises? 
  • What aftercare are they offering you?

It's possible for dentists to go on a weekend course, find out how to place an implant and then think they know how to do it.  But it's not just about placement.  It's tissue management, aftercare, correcting plans during surgery if the bone isn't optimal, and knowing what to do if the result isn't perfect.

It's one of the reasons Maria's years of experience are invaluable.  There are only a tiny handful of clinicians in the country who have her level of expertise, and the ability to fully manage the whole process, dealing with any unexpected consequences should they arise.

She fills her patients and those who work with her with confidence.  And the work she produces is extraordinary.

Lewis says  "There's no such thing as a dental implant specialist.  This is because you have to be proficient in all other forms of dentistry in order to be an implantologist.  So it isn't a specialism in its own right – it's a result of being experienced in all the other skills.
Prosthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery, and peridontology are the four specialisms make up implantology.

There are loads of dentists who have an understanding of implantology and have skills in the individual areas, but there aren't many who can remove all the teeth, and then restore the whole mouth in the same day.  It takes so much planning and a serious understanding of the process, combined with a superb lab technician, so what Maria does is unusual.  There aren't many people who have the skill and vision to do what she does – I certainly don't.  What she does is on another level."