September is “Dental Implant Awareness Month”
Choosing an Implant Dentist
Though for many decades dental implants have been a widely accepted treatment option, today more and more patients are seeking out qualified dental implant healthcare providers for care. Considered state-of-the-art dentistry – an alternative to bridges or dentures – dental implants replace one or more missing teeth. So prevalent is this treatment modality, September 2019, has been designated Dental Implant Awareness Month by the preeminent dental implant organization, the American Academy of Implant dentistry (AAID). It’s time set aside time to focus on raising the public’s understanding of the benefits of implants.
While most would expect that the number one question asked is, “What is a dental implant?”, that’s not the case. With TV advertising and the amount of information readily available on the Internet, the big question the general public now asks is, “How do I select the best dentist to provide me with dental implants?” Selecting a healthcare provider, for any procedure, can be a daunting task. We ask friends, relatives, read reviews and Google away so we can make the best-informed decision. We take into account the clinician’s training, expertise, and more often than not, their credentials. While a decades old, and widely accepted treatment modality, there is not a dental specialty in ‘Implantology’ as there is for Endodontics or Oral Surgery. It then becomes incumbent upon the patient interested in learning about replacement of a missing tooth or teeth with dental implants to do their homework. There is a significant difference in training between a dentist who takes a weekend course compared to one with years of training who has passed the rigorous testing criteria required to become credentialed from a well-recognized educational organization.
For over 67 years, the leader and the oldest academy that provides dentists with training in Implantology is The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). Dentists who have expertise in both the surgical placement of dental implants and the restoration of the implants are uniquely qualified to provide not only the technical proficiency to place an implant, he or she does so with the understanding of how the final restoration of the implant or implants will work functionally, so their patient is able to chew in comfort. And, equally important, they have the skill needed to incorporate the implant into an esthetically pleasing smile – one their patient is proud to share. Dr. David G. Hochberg is such a dentist. With a Diplomate in the ABOI and Fellow in the AAID, along with over 35 years of providing both the surgical and restorative phases of care for his patients along with patients of referring dentists, Dr. Hochberg is sought out for his diagnostic capabilities, comprehensive approach to care, both his surgical and restorative skills and, as important, his ability to understand the unique needs, concerns and expectations of patients. And, after serving on the board of the AAID, last year as its president, he understands the importance of helping educate the public on all aspects of dental implant care.
When you stop to ask yourself who you should see, consider scheduling an evaluation with Dr. Hochberg and raise your awareness of the benefits of Implant Dentistry.
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