Dental implants are placed by three recognized specialties: prosthodontists, periodontists, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Each brings different training and a different perspective. General dentists also place implants — typically after weekend or week-long continuing-education courses — but that is not a specialty credential.

Prosthodontist

A prosthodontist completes three years of residency focused on the restoration and replacement of teeth — crowns, bridges, implants, full mouth reconstruction, maxillofacial prosthetics. Their core training is in making everything fit together: planning the final prosthesis first, then placing implants to support it.

Best for: cases where the prosthetic outcome drives the surgical plan — aesthetic anterior cases, full-arch reconstruction, complex occlusion, full mouth rehabilitation.

Periodontist

A periodontist completes three years of residency focused on the periodontium — the gums, bone, and supporting tissues of teeth. They place many implants, particularly in the context of bone grafting and soft-tissue management around the implant site.

Best for: cases with significant periodontal disease history, complex bone grafting, or soft-tissue augmentation.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Oral surgeons complete a 4–6 year surgical residency that includes a broad range of surgical procedures far beyond implants — including IV sedation, trauma, pathology, and jaw surgery.

Best for: medically complex patients, cases requiring IV sedation or general anesthesia, zygomatic implants, significant anatomical challenges.

The Two-Specialist Model

Historically, many implant cases used two specialists — a surgeon to place the implant and a prosthodontist or restorative dentist to fabricate the final teeth. This works, but has communication and handoff risks.

The Single-Specialist Prosthodontic Model

Our practice operates as a specialist prosthodontic office where both the surgical placement and the prosthetic restoration are done under the same clinician’s planning. For complex full-arch cases, aesthetic anterior cases, and full mouth reconstruction, this single-specialist model eliminates handoff problems and ensures the surgical and prosthetic phases are fully integrated. See Dr. Att’s credentials.

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Serving Patients Across Greater Boston

The Face Dental Group welcomes patients from throughout Greater Boston:

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