Choosing the right expert for dental implants can feel confusing. You’ll hear about periodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, prosthodontists, and even general dentists who place implants. This guide explains who does what, how to decide for your situation, what treatments periodontists provide (including for receding gums), typical cost factors, and when to see an oral surgeon for extractions.
Quick answer (TL;DR)
Both periodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS/oral surgeons) are highly trained specialists who routinely place dental implants. For straightforward cases, either specialty can be appropriate. For complex gum/bone issues or peri‑implantitis risk, a periodontist is often ideal. For impacted teeth, jaw surgery, extensive bone reconstruction, or when deep sedation/general anesthesia is needed, an oral surgeon is often preferred. The best choice is the clinician (or specialist team) with substantial implant experience in cases like yours, who plans with 3D imaging, collaborates closely with your restoring dentist/prosthodontist, and offers a clear, staged treatment plan and maintenance program.
What kind of doctor specializes in dental implants?
Dental implants involve two broad phases:
- Surgical phase — placing the titanium (or zirconia) implant into the jawbone, and any necessary grafting or sinus augmentation.
- Restorative phase — designing and attaching the crown, bridge, or full‑arch prosthesis that sits on the implant(s).
Specialists commonly involved are:
- Periodontists – gum, bone, and implant surgery specialists. They focus on the tissues that support teeth and implants, and on preventing/treating gum and peri‑implant diseases.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS) – surgical specialists for teeth, jaws, and face. They handle complex extractions, bone grafts, sinus lifts, orthognathic and facial surgery, and deliver IV/deep sedation or general anesthesia when appropriate.
- Prosthodontists – restorative specialists who plan bite/occlusion and design implant‑supported crowns/bridges/full‑arch prostheses. Some also place implants; many lead the restorative plan and coordinate the team.
- General dentists – many restore implants; some place implants after additional training. They often collaborate with a specialist for the surgical phase in complex cases.
In most implant journeys, you’ll have two core providers: a surgical specialist (periodontist or oral surgeon) to place the implant(s) and a restorative dentist/prosthodontist to build the teeth.
Who is Dental Implants Periodontist?
A “dental implants periodontist” is simply a periodontist whose practice includes implant surgery and maintenance. Periodontists complete dental school plus advanced residency in periodontics focused on:
- Surgical placement of dental implants
- Bone and soft‑tissue grafting (ridge preservation/augmentation, sinus lifts)
- Management of gum disease (periodontitis) and peri‑implant diseases
- Cosmetic and functional soft‑tissue procedures (e.g., gum grafts, crown lengthening)
Because implant success depends heavily on healthy bone and soft tissue, periodontists are uniquely positioned to:
- Build sufficient bone and keratinized tissue before or during implant placement
- Optimize gum architecture for natural‑looking, maintainable results
- Diagnose and treat peri‑implant mucositis/peri‑implantitis (inflammation/infection around implants)
If you’ve been told you have thin gums, recession, bone loss, or a history of periodontal disease, a periodontist’s surgical and disease‑management skill set can be especially valuable.
Who is best qualified to do dental implants?
There isn’t a single right answer for every patient. Instead, consider case complexity and provider capabilities:
Choose a periodontist when…
- You have active or past gum disease, thin/fragile soft tissue, or recession near the implant site
- You need soft‑tissue grafting (to thicken/reshape gums) or detailed esthetic zone work (front teeth)
- You’ve had peri‑implantitis or implant failure and need regenerative therapy
Choose an oral & maxillofacial surgeon when…
- You need complex extractions (e.g., impacted teeth) or large bone grafts/sinus lifts
- You have significant anatomic challenges (nerve proximity, severe atrophy) or require orthognathic/jaw procedures
- You prefer/require IV sedation or general anesthesia in a hospital‑level setting
Choose either specialty (or a general dentist with substantial implant training) when…
- You’re replacing a single molar or premolar with adequate bone and healthy gums
- You’ve had a prior extraction with proper ridge preservation and no major risk factors
Consider a prosthodontist to lead planning when…
- You’re replacing multiple teeth or doing a full‑arch (All‑on‑X) rehabilitation
- You have a complex bite (deep overbite, bruxism, limited restorative space)
- You want a high‑end esthetic outcome in the smile zone
Bottom line: The best‑qualified clinician is the one with documented experience in cases like yours, uses CBCT 3D imaging and digital planning, collaborates with your restoring dentist, and offers comprehensive aftercare. Ask providers how many implants they place per year, their complication rates, grafting experience, and how they handle maintenance.
Periodontist vs dentist
General dentists provide comprehensive oral care, diagnose and treat common problems, and often perform the restorative phase of implant care (abutments/crowns). Many also place implants after continuing education.
Periodontists are specialists who complete additional multi‑year surgical training focused on gum and bone health, implant surgery, and regenerative procedures. While a well‑trained general dentist can successfully place implants in straightforward cases, periodontists bring advanced skills for:
- Esthetic zone implant placement (front teeth)
- Soft‑tissue grafting for thicker, more stable gums around implants
- Regeneration when bone is thin or deficient
- Prevention and treatment of peri‑implant disease
If your general dentist offers to place the implant, ask whether your case is simple or complex, what additional training they’ve completed, and whether a specialist would improve predictability or esthetics.
What does a periodontist do for receding gums?
Gum recession exposes tooth roots, causing sensitivity, esthetic concerns, and higher risk of root decay and abrasion. Periodontists tailor care to cause and severity:
- Diagnosis and risk control
- Assess brushing technique/trauma, periodontal disease, occlusal trauma (clenching/grinding), frenum pull, orthodontic history, and tobacco use.
- Non‑surgical care when inflammation is present: meticulous professional cleaning, scaling and root planing, antimicrobial therapy, and home‑care coaching.
- Surgical soft‑tissue grafting (as needed)
- Connective‑tissue grafts (CTGs) from the palate to cover roots and thicken gum tissue
- Free gingival grafts (FGGs) to add keratinized tissue for long‑term implant/tooth stability
- Allograft/xenograft or collagen matrices to reduce donor‑site morbidity in select cases
- Minimally invasive techniques (e.g., tunneling) where appropriate
- Bite/occlusion and appliance therapy
- Nightguards for bruxism; occlusal adjustments if traumatic contacts contribute
- Esthetic refinement and maintenance
- Careful suture techniques and follow‑up to optimize contour and color match
- Long‑term maintenance to protect grafts and prevent recurrence
For implant sites, periodontists often augment soft tissue before or during implant placement to improve esthetics, reduce plaque accumulation, and enhance long‑term stability.
Periodontist implant cost
Costs vary significantly by region, provider, and complexity. Think of implant therapy as a bundle of steps rather than a single price tag. A typical single‑tooth implant may include:
- Consultation & 3D imaging (CBCT)
- Extraction (if needed) and socket preservation graft
- Implant placement (surgical fee)
- Abutment (the connector)
- Crown (the tooth on top) — often billed by the restoring dentist/prosthodontist
- Additional grafting (bone or soft tissue) or sinus lift (if needed)
- Sedation/anesthesia (if beyond local anesthesia)
Typical U.S. ranges discussed publicly by large health publishers place a single‑tooth implant (surgery only) roughly in the low‑to‑mid thousands of dollars, while the complete tooth replacement (implant + abutment + crown) often totals several thousand dollars more. Full‑arch, “All‑on‑X” solutions can range far higher depending on the number/type of implants, provisionalization, final materials (acrylic vs. zirconia), and whether treatment is done in one day or staged.
What affects your fee more than the specialty label:
- Amount of grafting (bone/soft tissue) required
- Use of guided surgery and custom components
- Anesthesia type and facility needs
- Prosthetic materials (titanium vs. zirconia abutments, layered ceramics vs. monolithic)
- Geography and practice setting (private office vs. hospital)
Savings tips
- Ask for a written, itemized treatment plan showing each step and fee
- Compare like‑for‑like plans (same components, grafting, and timelines)
- Consider dental schools or teaching hospitals for reduced fees
- Clarify warranty/repair policies and what is covered if parts fail
Remember: the least expensive bid may cut corners on imaging, grafting, lab quality, or follow‑up. With implants, planning and precision drive long‑term value.
Periodontist vs oral surgeon for extraction
Simple extractions (fully erupted teeth with straightforward roots) are often performed by general dentists. You’ll typically see an oral surgeon when:
- The tooth is impacted (common with wisdom teeth)
- Roots are curved, brittle, or near critical anatomy (nerves/sinus)
- The tooth has fractured below the gumline or prior surgeries complicate access
- You need IV/deep sedation or have significant medical complexity
Where periodontists fit in: Periodontists also perform extractions, particularly when extractions are part of periodontal treatment plans or when.
