Comments on: General Dentistry & The Dental Implant Dentist

By: concerned prosthodontist

concerned prosthodontist — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:52:00 +0000

I like the statement “they were invented by GP’s like us” Unfortunately, that is the state of most general dentists education; limited. Root form implants were first developed by Branemark, an orthopedic surgeon. Many of the defunct implants like blades, subperiosteals and ramus frames were developed by GP’s but are no longer being (or shouldn’t be) used. I have no problems with GP’s doing any of the treatment but they need to be able to deal with the complications that come along with implants. If you want to be a specialist you have to act and get educated like a specialist. Doesn’t matter if it’s implants or endo or ortho.

By: illinois periodontist

illinois periodontist — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:26:46 +0000

I have no problems with GPs placing implants- but I do have problems when they don’t clean up cement after restorating them, or assuming that the implant takes no special care after it is restored. From that standpoint, I am staying busy from repairing the “ailing” implants out there. However, there is definately a theme emerging from these issues.

By: Nick Laoutaris,DDS

Nick Laoutaris,DDS — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:57:39 +0000

For the Dentists that make a blanket statement, such as “GP’s should not be placing implants”, is nonsense. There are so many great courses out there, and many GP’s have many hours devoted to implant placement. I have been Director of a Residency program for several years,(I am a GP), I trained all the Oral Surgery residents in this program on how to place implants and the prosthetics involved. Of course, If a GP does decide to place implants, he or she should be well trained, especially if there are complications.