I was told that I need to get a CT scan before getting a dental implant on one of my front, upper teeth. I was wondering if I really need it, because I feel like I have had a lot of x-rays lately. I’ve had to get some done for dental work, but also for some other health issues. I hesitate to get the CT scan done if it isn’t required.
Of course, I want to do everything possible to avoid the possibility of dental implant failure. So, I also have another question from a different dentist who is recommending that I get implants from Southern Venturi. I haven’t been able to find much information about that dental implant company, so this makes me question why the dentist is recommending to ude this type of implants. If there were any complications or issues in the future, would it be difficult to get implant parts? Or if for some reason I needed to go to a different dentist that doesn’t use this type of implants, would that be a problem?
Any information or recommendations you have would be greatly appreciated. I’m trying to do as much research ahead of time before making a decision on which implant dentist to move forward with.
-Paul in Arizona
Paul,
It is good to hear that you are doing your research ahead of time. Far too many patients find out the hard way that not every general dentist can be successful with dental implants.
You’ve touched on two topics that are imperative to the success of your procedure. Here are some things to consider.
Your first question is regarding if the dentist should do a CT scan or not. The fact of the matter is that many dentists will skip this step and place the dental implant without a CT scan. Honestly, the dentist that made this recommendation is one you may want to continue considering. The reason is that a CT scan will show in great detail the bone density and thickness near the site. It will also help regarding the surgical placement of the implant post. Far too many dentists will end up having to replace a front tooth dental implants because it will end up puncturing a sinus. Others will try to avoid that possibility by using a short implant, which may not provide the best long-term solution. You want your implant dentist to have the full picture to help minimize risks or complications with the placement. So, a CT scan really is a good idea. It’s not required, but it is an important step in the process.
The next question is regarding the company for dental implant fixtures that the other dentist recommended. The issue here shouldn’t be focused on whether you will be able to find a replacement part in the future. It’s far more important to learn about the quality control procedures that the manufacturer has in place. Southern Venturi dental implants are not common, so you are right to be concerned. It is important that a dentist doesn’t cut corners because it may compromise the integrity of the implant itself and the parts. Some dentists will try to save a lot of money on using cheap dental implant parts from overseas, and that is a recipe for disaster. The dental implant fixtures need to be made to exact standards and specifications and need to be the highest quality. There are several well-respected companies that must adhere to strict manufacturing regulations. So, you will want to continue your research and ask more questions if you decide to choose this other dentist.
You definitely don’t want to price shop when it comes to dental implants. The focus needs to be on finding the best implant dentist in your area that has a track record of successful cases, as well as extensive training and experience.
Expert implant dentists are quite selective in the dental implant brands that they will use on their patients. The top, most respected manufacturers:
- Straumann
- Nobel Biocare
Other reputable companies are:
- 3i
- BioHorizons
- Zimmer, and
- Astrotech.
There are some dentists that would consider Bicon. However, the company has dealt with some controversy over the years. The long-term success isn’t as tried and true as some of the others listed above.
The bottom line is that it would not be ideal to choose a dentist who uses a less expensive fixture.
It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to select the right implant dentist, one you can trust. Unfortunately, dental malpractice suits are top of the list for dental implant treatment in the United States. The biggest issue is that implant dentistry is not an recognized specialty area in the field. This means that any dentist can make the claim to be an implant dentist, and they may not have any special training on the subject.
Some good things to look for regarding the dentist’s credentials would be a fellowship, diplomat or accreditation from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists or the American Board of Oral Implantology. If your dentist is affiliated with one of these prestigious organizations, that is a really good indicator of their skill level.
The good news is that you are asking all the right questions now. If you continue on your path and interviewing implant dentist candidates, you should minimize the risk of dental implant failure. Too many implant patients end up dealing with loose dental implants down the road, or other issues with the placement because there was not adequate bone at the implant site.
Hopefully, this will help you as you continue to find the best implant dentist for your case.
Best of luck!
This post is sponsored by Petaluma dentist Dr. Rick Lane.
Here are my thoughts regarding what you shared about the original treatment of the tooth and how the root canal treatment wasn’t done many years ago. If that is indeed what happened, and the tooth really did require further treatment, than that dentist didn’t do the right thing. In dentistry, if there is decay present, it needs to be treated. It won’t get better. The rational of not drilling through a crown isn’t a sufficient reason for not getting it treated during that original treatment time. Root canals after a crown are not uncommon. And if the problem would have been addressed right away, it likely would have avoided these issues you are experiencing now.