What’s The Difference Between A Prosthodontist And An Implantologist?

If you’re considering dental implants in Mount Pleasant, you may be wondering whether you should see a prosthodontist or an implantologist. What do these specialists do? What makes them different? The team at Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant wants to make sure you have all the facts when it comes to your implant treatment and your dental healthcare provider. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the differences between implantologists and prosthodontists:

What Qualifies A Dentist As An Implantologist?

Any dentist can become a qualified implantologist, including general dentists, periodontists, oral surgeons, and even prosthodontists! This is because the term “implantologist” is usually used by dentists who have been certified and accredited by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). 

To become an Associate Fellow (the first level of AAID implantologist accreditation), a licensed dentist must meet the following requirements:

• They must undergo 300 hours of continuing education related to implant dentistry, or have graduated from a periodontal, oral and maxillofacial, or prosthodontics program
• They must have surgical experience placing implants, and show competency in at least three different types of implant cases
• They must complete a written and oral exam about implant dentistry.
  

To become a full Fellow, an implantologist must have at least 400 hours of continuing education, and have 5+ years of implant dentistry experience. 

The highest honor in implantology is becoming an AAID Diplomate. This requires the dentist to practice implant dentistry for at least 7 years, treat at least 75 patients with implants, and pass a rigorous two-part exam. 

What Qualifies A Dentist As A Prosthodontist? 

Prosthodontics is a specialized field of dentistry. To become certified as a prosthodontist, a dentist must undergo at least 3 years of ADA-accredited post-graduate training after graduating from dental school. 

Prosthodontists train in every method of tooth restoration, from dentures to dental implants, crowns & bridges, and more, and may also focus on things like TMJ/TMD treatment, full-mouth habilitation for oral cancer patients, and other specialties.

In addition, the dentist must take an oral exam, written exam, and clinical exam from the American Board of Prosthodontics before they become certified. These exams are extremely rigorous, ensuring only the most qualified dentists become board-certified prosthodontists.

Because of this, prosthodontists tend to have more overall experience in restorative dentistry compared to implantologists.  

Should I Choose A Prosthodontist Or Implantologist? What’s Right For Me?

Chances are that either an implantologist or a prosthodontist will provide excellent results if you’re just having a few dental implants placed. However, if you have more complex oral health issues, and you may need multiple restorative treatments, a prosthodontist will be a better choice. 

Rather than just focusing on dental implants, prosthodontists focus on every method of restorative dentistry, providing them with more broad expertise when it comes to restoring your smile.

Looking For A Prosthodontist In Mount Pleasant? Come To Our Office Today! 

Need a qualified prosthodontist for dental implants in Mount Pleasant? Dr. Vinson is here to help. To learn more and get started, just schedule a consultation at our office now. You can give us a call at (843) 936-1690, or stop by our office at 1149 Oakland Market Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466.