Periodontists are specialty dentists. They are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases. They are also trained in the surgical placement of dental implants and in cosmetic and oral plastic surgery procedures.

Periodontal disease has been linked to diabetes, osteoporosis, tobacco smoke, and general malnutriion. If you have any of those conditions, it's advisable that you schedule a constulation with a Periodontist for an exam.

They are required to complete a four year college degree. They will then need to complete an accredited dental school, acquiring a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Medical Dentistry). Periodontist's are then required to participate in a ADA accredited periodontology residency program.

The entire procedure for a dental implant is actually a series of procedures that are performed over a long period of time, anywhere from 15 months to 24 months.

Step 1 is for your dentist to remove any excess pieces of your missing tooth. He will need to thoroughly clean out and remove any excess debris.

Step 2 is for your dentist to fill the pocket with a substance that will permanently bond to your bone and harden. This material needs to be strong enough to hold your implant, yet must be drillable in order to install the implant post.

Step 3 is for your dentist to drill the pilot hole. He'll then widen the hole slightly so that it is wide enough for the implant post.

Step 4 is the insallation of the implant post. Your dentist will permanently install the post into the pilot hole.

Step 5 is a period of time where your bone will graft to the implant post, permanently anchoring it into position. This process is called "osseointegration".

Step 6 is the installation of your temporary crown. The temporary is exactly that: temporary. You'll wear it until your dentist's dental lab completes your permanent crown.

Step 7 is the installation of your custom crafted crown. Once the final implant is installed, your new tooth is ready for smiling and chewing!

Implants can last a very long time. In fact, most implants are expected to last a person's lifetime.

The expected lifespan of a dental implant is thirty years or longer, particularly if you take excellent car of your implant and follow your surgeon's recommendations.

Technology is constanly improving dental implant procedure and materials. To find out the latest information regarding dental implant procedure, recovery, and longevity, you will need to consult with a licensed, board certified dentist that specializes in implant surgery to learn more.