Find your passion for dental implants
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 12th March 2022
Ask any implant dentist why they are so passionate about their work and be prepared to be listening for a long time!
It is an exciting area of dentistry. It’s highly scientific yet creative, requiring an exceptional level of skill, knowledge and clinical training, supported by meticulous treatment planning. When someone receives a dental implant, it’s just the beginning because they’ll need to commit to regular reviews, as well as to practising an elevated level of oral hygiene, to keep the result stable. Dental implant therapy isn’t a ‘place and go’ solution, for either the patient, implant dentist or the practice team; it signals the start of a mutually beneficial relationship between them.
The tools, equipment and materials required for successful implant therapy are constantly evolving and developing, so there is always something new to learn. From a professional point of view, this is a huge advantage. But being able to help more people and engage them with the true value of lifelong whole-mouth health, this is what every implant dentist will say is one of the main joys of the job, and their motivation for offering this treatment at their practice.
Myths and misinformation
If the word ‘implant’ has been mentioned by their general dentist, you can an expect a patient to come to an initial consultation armed with research. There is a lot of misinformation about every dental treatment available to read online and sensational headlines about what happened when XY or Z went horribly wrong.
Dental implant treatment is expensive, so we can’t dismiss the impact of horror stories, including articles about peri-implantitis, on a patient’s decision-making process. This circles back to the importance of establishing good relationships and emphasising the idea of a journey, as well as busting some internet myths. The first one being that because dental implants are ‘artificial’ they do not need to be treated in the same way as natural teeth. The prognosis for an implant is generally excellent, representing value for money, as long as there is careful daily maintenance from the patient and regular professional cleaning from a hygienist.
All dental professionals have a legal duty to obtain valid consent before embarking on any treatment; this includes a full and frank discussion of the associated risks, so people can make an informed decision about whether to proceed. Aftercare is often a missing element from internet dental horror stories, also what needs to be done before treatment starts, such as taking action to improve gum health and ceasing behaviours like smoking. Another misconception is that everyone is suitable for an implant because this isn’t the case: a thorough assessment by a trained professional is the only way to ascertain suitability.
Any implant dentist will tell you how shocked some of their patients have been at how little pain they felt after treatment, that implant therapy is invasive and uncomfortable is a further common misconception. Often, over-the-counter painkillers are adequate post-surgery, unless there was a particular need to prescribe something stronger. There will be some mild side-effects, as with any surgical procedure, but they will soon subside. When implant therapy is delivered by an experienced clinical team, who are using the latest technologies, products and techniques, dental implant treatment is quick and comfortable.
Placed at the right time, dental implants can also help someone avoid more complex, and costly dentistry down the line. This is an interceptive, preventive solution, a sophisticated yet highly conservative way to keep good oral health and wellbeing and retain a tooth. Want to be a part of all this, so you too can wax lyrical about the often life-changing benefits of dental implant therapy? Seek quality, fully accredited training that covers all the central tenets of this treatment area, to take you from novice to implant dentist. Also look for programmes that have an ethos of lifelong learning, that will keep enriching and elevating your work after the course has completed. The One to One Implant Education runs an accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Implant Dentistry, where you’ll be taught by some of the industry’s leading lights, including renowned international speakers ready to share their expertise. A substantial portion of teaching time is dedicated to live surgery and the course – which was a sell out last year – will widen your professional network, as well as enable you to confidently place dental implants in your own practice.
There are many myths and misconceptions around implant therapy, but demand is rising. Modern patients have high expectations of quality treatment, and a successful result as part of a unique and tailored plan that will allow them to enjoy their new smile for years. Get trained, get ready and you’ll be one of those dentists who are passionate about this cutting-edge treatment that ultimately raises standards of oral health.
To reserve your place or to find out more, please visit
https://121implanteducation.co.uk or call 020 7486 0000
