Dental treatment/implants

[Bugsy73]

My husband requires extensive dental work, including implants and root canal work . He has had xrays and consultation at his regular dentist. She seems (and I'm sure she is!) perfectly competent to carry out the treatment, but I'm wondering if he should be seeking a second opinion? Is there such a thing as a implant specialist? The work he needs is pretty complicated (and expensive) and I just want to ensure he gets the right person to do it.
All advice welcome.

[vivacian]

It is expensive and don’t underestimate the surgery. It’s funny how we underestimate surgery just because it’s in our mouth. I’ve had one dentist who did it herself. My new dentist refers to a specialist.

[Ghoulette1740]

Watching with interest. At my surgery it's the dentist son of one of the senior dentists who is doing the implants and he's relatively newly qualified.

[7Worfs]

I’d seek a dentist who specialises in implants.
I’m about to have 4 done, it’s ridiculously expensive, but there is no margin for cock-ups.
Dentistry has become a lot more specialised in the past decade, the endo doing my root canals doesn’t even waste time putting the filling on.

[vivacian]

Mine has quoted £2500 for one tooth.

[Bugsy73]

It's hideously expensive. We've been quoted £10,000 for all the work, this includes potential bone graft. It's horrible! For those that saw a specialist, did you self refer? What needs doing is fairly complex, it is the senior dentist that has had a look.

[7Worfs]

I did some research online and also asked my normal dentist for a recommendation- most dentists have good networks.

If the most senior dentist in the practice is doing it, then he’s probably their specialist. Ask all the questions you need, most will share their credentials without you even asking.

[BennyTheBall]

My regular dentist has a specialism in implantology. I'd expect them to have at least MClinDent in Dental Implantology.

Implants are so expensive, but worth it. The procedure and bone graft is quite something, I have to say. Not for faint hearted.

[Themountainsarecalling]

DD had to have a bone graft and implant due to a congenital missing tooth

Her periodontist used allograft rather than using her own bone and this was a far less painful procedure, just slit the gum and stick it in, basically (have had other relatives use their own bone). When it had stabilised, he inserted the implant post and then sent her to have the crown done by a dentist specialising in crowns.

Her own dentist had tried unsuccessfully to do the gum work and it was really traumatic for her so I'm a big believer now in going to a provider who specialises, rather than a generalist. She changed dentist as she completely lost faith in his ability.