We also know that devoted pet owners will spare no expense when it comes to the comfort of their pet. And so some pet owners inquire about getting dental implants for their pets.

My cat broke his upper canine tooth two years ago and had to have it extracted. Do you think a dental implant is necessary? Is this painful and expensive?

Dental implants are not available for cats anywhere in the world, to my knowledge. The bone volume in a cat's jaw is so small that it would be technically challenging and, anyway, there's very rarely a need for a tooth to be replaced. It's common for cats to have missing teeth and they nearly always manage to live normally with no adverse consequences, continuing to hunt and even eat dried food. I have seen cats with all their teeth extracted with no major impact on their lives.

In a small proportion of cases, loss of the upper canine tooth in a cat can lead to the lower canine tooth catching the upper lip, causing an abrasion. If this is happening, there are other ways of dealing with this that your vet can explain. Dental implants
have been done in dogs and cost more than £5,000 for each procedure. They are rarely necessary.

- Pete Wedderburn, “Pet Health” in the UK’s Telegraph

Given that the cost of dental implants keeps many people from dental implant therapy, it's somehow reassuring that tooth implant dentistry for cats and dogs isn't exactly a booming business.

“I don't think it is necessary to make this a specialty since oral surgeons, periodontists, prosthodontists and general dentists like me all place dental implants, and many restore," offered one doctor. "I do think fellowship training is good, and credentialing is valuable."

Though 85% of general dentists oppose having implant dentistry as an official specialty, only 67% of specialists feel the same. While some feel that dental implant surgery should only be done by a specialist, most agree that general dentists are fully capable of restoring implants.

Here are some further comments from dentists on dental implantology:

• “The oral surgeons or periodontists should be placing the implants in the bone – a good restorative dentist can place the dental implant crowns or over- dentures.” (Florida dentist)
• “I do not believe dentists should be placing tooth implants unless they are certified specialists in implantology.” (Alabama dentist)
• “It IS a specialty when done at the highest levels.” (Dental implantologist)
• “Implant dentistry should become a subspecialty recognizing those doctors (specialists and non specialists alike) that have received additional training to perform tooth implant dentistry proficiently.” (Periodontist)
• “Implants are a part of my General Practice, and have been since 1986. I would hate to see certain fractions in dentistry fight over this….i.e., Oral Surgeons, Periodontist, dentists, etc. It WILL be ugly.” (Massachusetts dentist)
• “Implants should be dental school course just as endodontics, periodontics, etc.” (General dentist)
• “The last thing dentistry needs.” (New Jersey dentist)
• “There are enough turf wars about dental implants as it is. No need to have a separate specialty.” (General dentist)
• “The politics of delineating who the 'specialists' are is an impossible task.” (New York prosthodontist)
• "Things are good as they are. We should not elevate individuals to royalty status.” (Texas dentist)

Read more: Dental Implants Should Not Be a Specialty, Say Dentists

"They were invented by GPs like us," said one general dentist. "More dentists should be placing them. Specialists should not be arrogantly taking control."

We also found that 30% place implants, even in difficult cases, and 33% offer immediate load dental implants. When it comes to mini dental implants/denture implants, 61% restore them, and 45% place them.

Here are some comments from dental implant dentists:

• “Implants need to be the dentist's deal….. Do not rely on the oral surgeon or periodontist for anything but placement.” (Connecticut dentist)
• “I feel placement of dental implants is best left to board certified oral surgeons because I have seen a very high failure rate with the implants placed by dentists.” (Alabama dentist)
• "Mini dental implants do not have long-term clinical evidence to support widespread use under dentures as a definitive restoration.” (California prosthodontist)
• “Significant slowdown of dental implants in this economy.” (Minnesota dentist)

Read more: Dental Implant Dentists: Who's Doing Implant Dentistry

In our most recent survey, we asked dentists about their favorite treatment options. Cosmetic dentistry was the clear winner, pulling in over one-third of the total vote (and one-half of he general dentist vote). Dental implants were the runner-up.

There were distinct differences between general dentists and specialists. While nearly half of general dentists favored cosmetic dentistry, only 16% of specialists did. Among specialists, dental implants were the favorite treatment option.

There were also notable differences between urban and rural dentists. Rural dentists were significantly more likely to vote for cosmetic dentistry as their favorite option. While Invisalign was preferred by one-quarter of urban dentists, no rural dentists reported feeling the same way.

Here are some other treatment options dentists like:

• “Lasers.” (Maryland dentist)
• “Periodontal plastic surgery.” (Arizona periodontist)
• “Amalgam.” (North Carolina dentist)
• “Conventional orthodontics.” (Michigan dentist)
• “Third molars.” (New York dentist)
• “Crowns and bridges.” (Canada dentist)
• “Reconstructive dentistry.” (Kentucky dentist)
• “Endodontics.” (Canada dentist)
• “TMD.” (Michigan dentist)
• “Smile makeovers.” (Cosmetic dentist)

Post your comments or read the complete dental treatment options survey results…

Consumer portal website 1st-DentalImplants.com provides local listings of dentists who offer implant dentistry, as well as a variety of other dental implant resources.

The Internet Dental Alliance announces the re-launch of its consumer information website 1st-DentalImplants.com. The website offers patients a variety of implant dentistry resources. Patients can find a properly trained implant dentist, learn more about dental implants, ask questions of an expert dentist, and more.

The find-a-dentist website also offers up fascinating facts. For example, teeth implants that are over 1,000 years old have been found from the Mayan civilization. Tooth-shaped pieces of shell were found placed into the sockets of missing incisors and had actually been incorporated into the bone structure.

Learn more about the dental implant portal website