Key Takeaways
- General dentists and oral surgeons often work together during dental implant treatment, but oral surgeons specialize in the surgical placement of implants and complex procedures involving the jaw and bone.
- The dental implant process typically includes a consultation and treatment plan, surgical implant placement, and a final restoration designed to look and function like natural teeth.
- Dental implants provide a long-term solution for missing teeth, helping restore comfort, confidence, chewing ability, and overall oral health.
Missing or failing teeth can affect far more than your smile. Many patients experience difficulty chewing, changes in speech, discomfort, and a loss of confidence in everyday life. When researching dental implants, one of the most common questions patients ask is:
Should I see a general dentist or an oral surgeon for dental implants?
The answer is that both providers often play important roles in the implant process, but they serve different purposes during treatment. Understanding the difference can help you make a more informed decision about your care and feel more confident moving forward with treatment.
What’s the Difference Between an Oral Surgeon and a Dentist?
A general dentist focuses on preventive and restorative dental care, including cleanings, fillings, crowns, and maintaining long-term oral health. Many restorative dentists also create and place the final crown, bridge, or denture that attaches to dental implants.
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon specializes in surgical procedures involving the mouth, jaw, bone, and facial structures. This includes:
- Dental implant placement
- Bone grafting
- Wisdom tooth removal
- Full-mouth implant reconstruction
- Corrective jaw surgery
- Sedation and anesthesia care
Dental implant placement is considered a specialty surgical procedure. After dental school, oral surgeons complete years of additional hospital-based surgical and anesthesia training focused on complex procedures involving the jaw and facial anatomy.
At Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, all surgeons are board certified and the practice is nationally accredited by AAAHC — currently the only office in the Sioux Falls region with both distinctions.
In many cases, dental implant treatment is a collaborative process between your oral surgeon and restorative dentist.
How the Dental Implant Process Works
Dental implants are designed to replace the entire tooth structure, including the root. Treatment typically happens in stages and involves both your oral surgeon and restorative dentist working together to create a long-term solution for your smile.
Step 1: Consultation and Treatment Planning
The process begins with a consultation and advanced imaging appointment. During this visit, your oral surgeon evaluates your oral health, jaw bone structure, and overall treatment goals using detailed scans and digital imaging.
These scans help determine whether dental implants are the right option for you and whether additional procedures, such as bone grafting, may be needed before implant placement.
This is also your opportunity to ask questions and better understand your treatment timeline, restoration options, and anesthesia choices.
Step 2: Dental Implant Placement
During the surgical phase of treatment, the dental implant is placed into the jaw bone where it acts as an artificial tooth root. Over time, the implant integrates with the bone through a process called osseointegration, creating a stable foundation for your replacement tooth.
In some cases, same-day extractions and implant placement may be possible, helping reduce overall treatment time.
Step 3: Final Restoration
Once healing is complete, your restorative dentist places the final custom crown, bridge, or denture attachment. These restorations are carefully designed to look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
Understanding this process also helps explain why surgical experience matters during implant treatment.
Why Surgical Experience Matters for Dental Implants
Dental implants require much more than simply replacing a missing tooth. Successful treatment depends on precise planning, proper bone support, and careful surgical placement.
Oral surgeons are trained to manage more advanced aspects of implant care, including:
- Bone loss and bone grafting
- Nerve preservation
- Sinus anatomy
- Same-day extraction and implant placement
- Full-mouth implant reconstruction
- Sedation and anesthesia safety
Using advanced 3D imaging technology, oral surgeons carefully map important structures in the jaw before surgery to improve precision and help protect nearby nerves.
Dr. Lewis George explains:
“The placement of dental implants is a specialty procedure.”
That additional training becomes especially important for patients with complex cases, severe tooth loss, or reduced bone support.
Watch Dr. George’s full explanation of the implants procedure here
Advanced Implant Options for Complex Cases
Not every patient seeking dental implants has the same needs. Some patients may only need to replace a single tooth, while others may require full-mouth restoration.
For patients missing most or all of their teeth, full-arch implant solutions such as All-on-4 can provide a more stable alternative to removable dentures. Instead of placing an implant for every missing tooth, four strategically placed implants support an entire arch of replacement teeth.
Patients often choose this option because it can:
- Improve chewing ability
- Create a more secure fit than dentures
- Reduce the need for additional implants
- Shorten overall treatment timelines
Some patients may also qualify for “Teeth-in-a-Day,” where temporary teeth are attached shortly after implant placement. Even patients with bone loss may still be candidates for implants through procedures such as bone grafting or specialized zygomatic implants.
Because every patient’s oral health and anatomy are different, treatment planning plays a major role in long-term success.
What Should You Ask During a Dental Implant Consultation?
Choosing the right provider for dental implants is an important decision. During your consultation, patients should feel comfortable asking questions about the surgeon’s training, technology, and treatment approach.
Helpful questions may include:
- Am I a candidate for dental implants?
- Will I need bone grafting?
- What sedation options are available?
- How long will healing take?
- How long do dental implants last?
- What experience do you have with full-mouth implant treatment?
- Will my restorative dentist be involved in treatment planning?
These conversations help patients better understand their options and feel more confident throughout treatment.
Choosing the Right Team for Dental Implants
Dental implants are one of the most reliable and long-lasting solutions for missing teeth because they restore both function and appearance while helping preserve jaw bone health.
While both restorative dentists and oral surgeons play important roles in the process, oral surgeons provide specialized surgical expertise that can be especially valuable for complex implant procedures, bone loss, and full-mouth reconstruction.
Patients often notice significant improvements in comfort, confidence, and everyday function after treatment. One patient shared:
“Now with implants, my teeth are just solid. I mean, I can eat anything—literally anything—now.”
View Robert’s Full Story Here
For many people, dental implants are about more than replacing missing teeth — they are about restoring the ability to eat comfortably, speak clearly, and smile with confidence again.
Patients throughout Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Yankton, and Brookings trust Siouxland Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery for advanced implant care and full-mouth restoration solutions.
The best way to determine if dental implants are right for you is by scheduling a consultation and discussing your goals with an experienced surgical team.