What Dentist Does Dental Implants? Who Places Them and Why

Four types of dentists place or restore dental implants: general dentists with implant training, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, and prosthodontists. Many implant cases are handled by a team — one provider places the implant surgically, another (often your regular dentist) puts the final crown on top. Which provider is right depends on the complexity of your case, not just on the title behind their name.

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Learn about dental implants at our Kirkland dental office → /dental-implants

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General Dentists With Implant Training

A growing number of general dentists place implants themselves, particularly for straightforward cases — single missing tooth, healthy bone, no significant medical complications. Training varies widely. Some general dentists complete extensive implant programs and place hundreds of implants a year. Others place only a few. It's reasonable to ask how many implants the dentist places annually and to see photos of completed work.

General dentists are also usually the providers who make and place the final crown after the implant integrates with bone — regardless of who placed the implant itself.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Oral surgeons complete dental school plus four to six years of hospital-based surgical residency. They're the most surgically trained option and are typically the right choice when:

•      Significant bone loss is present and major grafting is needed.

•      A sinus lift is required for an upper-back implant.

•      Multiple teeth are being replaced at once, including full-arch cases.

•      There are medical complexities — bleeding disorders, anesthesia considerations, complex history.

•      Anxiety or case complexity calls for IV sedation or general anesthesia.

Periodontists

Periodontists are specialists in the gums and bone that support the teeth and complete a three-year residency after dental school. Because their specialty centers on the foundation implants rely on, they're a natural fit for implant placement — especially when gum disease, recession, or bone health are central to the picture. Many periodontists place implants as a major portion of their practice.

Prosthodontists

Prosthodontists complete a three-year residency after dental school focused on complex restorative dentistry — crowns, bridges, full-arch reconstructions, and the engineering of how teeth come together. They often lead full-mouth implant cases and design the final restoration, sometimes placing the implants themselves and sometimes working alongside a surgeon.

The Team Approach Is Common

In many cases, a surgical specialist places the implant and your general dentist restores it with a crown. This isn't a weakness in either provider — it's how implant care often works. The surgeon focuses on the surgical placement; the restorative dentist designs the visible tooth. Good coordination between the two providers matters more than which one places the implant.

Questions Worth Asking

•      How many implants do you place (or restore) each year?

•      What training did you complete in implant dentistry?

•      Do you use 3D cone-beam imaging for planning?

•      Who will place the implant, and who will restore it?

•      What sedation options are available?

•      What happens if there's a complication during or after placement?

•      Can I see before-and-after photos of cases like mine?

How Implants Work at Elite Dental Studio

At our Kirkland office, we handle implant care across Bellevue, Redmond, Bothell, Woodinville, and the broader Eastside. Straightforward cases are often handled in-house, with IV sedation available through our partnership with Elite Anesthesia when patients prefer to sleep through placement. For complex cases — significant bone loss, full-arch work, intricate medical history — we coordinate with trusted local oral surgeons and periodontists and handle the crown side once the implant has integrated. The goal is the right provider for the case, not the most convenient referral.

Wondering Which Provider Is Right for Your Case?

If you'd like to learn more, Elite Dental Studio welcomes patients from Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, Bothell, Woodinville, and across the Eastside. Call (425) 823-6820 or book online to schedule.

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About Elite Dental Studio

Elite Dental Studio has been serving Kirkland and the greater Eastside for over 20 years. We accept new patients, most PPO insurances, and offer convenient online scheduling. From routine cleanings to full-mouth restorative care under IV sedation through our partnership with Elite Anesthesia, we deliver comprehensive care in one familiar location.