Several types of dental professionals place implants, including general dentists, oral surgeons, periodontists, and prosthodontists. Which one you should see depends on how complex your case is. A straightforward single-tooth implant can often be handled by a general dentist with implant training, while more involved procedures like full-mouth reconstructions or cases requiring bone grafting are better suited to a specialist.
Types of Dentists Who Place Implants
Implant placement is a procedure, not a recognized dental specialty on its own. That means multiple types of providers are legally and professionally qualified to do it. Here’s how they break down.
General dentists can place implants as part of their practice, but only about 33% of U.S. general dentists do so regularly. The rest refer patients to specialists for anything beyond simple cases. A general dentist who does offer implants may place only a few dozen per year, which is fine for a single-tooth replacement in a patient with healthy bone and gums.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete four to six years of residency training beyond dental school, focused on surgical procedures of the mouth, jaw, and face. They’re the go-to for complicated surgical situations: patients who need significant bone grafting, have serious medical conditions, or require multiple implants placed in a single procedure. If your case involves the sinus area or a jawbone that has lost significant density, an oral surgeon is typically the provider who handles it.
Periodontists specialize in the gums and the bone that supports your teeth. They complete three additional years of training after dental school. Because implants depend entirely on healthy bone and gum tissue, periodontists are a natural fit for implant placement, especially when you also have gum disease that needs to be treated alongside the implant work.
Prosthodontists focus on designing and fitting replacement teeth, including the crown that sits on top of the implant post. They complete three years of additional training. Some prosthodontists place implants themselves, while others design the treatment plan and surgical guide, then refer you to an oral surgeon or periodontist for the surgical portion. They’re particularly valuable for complex reconstructions where getting the final teeth to look and function correctly requires careful planning from the start.
When a Specialist Matters Most
For a single implant in a healthy patient with plenty of jawbone, the difference between a skilled general dentist and a specialist may be minimal. The distinction becomes important as complexity increases. Specialists have placed hundreds or thousands of implants over their careers, compared to the few dozen per year a general dentist might handle. That volume of experience translates to better judgment calls during surgery, especially when something unexpected comes up.
Cases that generally call for a specialist include:
- Full-arch or full-mouth implants requiring precise placement of multiple posts
- Bone grafting to rebuild a jaw that has thinned after tooth loss
- Sinus lifts needed when upper jaw bone is too close to the sinus cavity
- Active gum disease that must be controlled before or during implant placement
- Medical conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or osteoporosis that affect healing
In many cases, two providers work together. A periodontist or oral surgeon handles the surgical placement of the titanium post, and then your general dentist or a prosthodontist designs and attaches the final crown once the implant has fused with your bone.
What the Implant Process Looks Like
Regardless of which dentist places your implant, the process follows the same basic steps. It starts with imaging. Most providers now use a 3D cone beam CT scan, which creates a detailed map of your jawbone, nerves, and sinuses. This scan lets the dentist check whether your bone is dense enough to hold an implant, identify the safest placement angle, and avoid critical structures. In most cases, this type of scan is recommended because standard X-rays don’t provide enough detail for accurate planning.
The surgical appointment itself involves placing a small titanium post into your jawbone. This is done under local anesthesia, sometimes with sedation. Over the next three to six months, the bone grows around the post in a process called osseointegration. During this healing window, you may wear a temporary tooth or go without, depending on the location. Once the post is solidly anchored, a connector piece (the abutment) is attached, and a custom crown is placed on top.
The total cost for a single implant in the U.S., including the post, abutment, and crown, typically ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 per tooth as of 2025. Costs vary based on your location, the provider’s experience, whether you need bone grafting, and how complex the restoration is.
Complications to Know About
Dental implants have high success rates overall, but they aren’t maintenance-free. The most common long-term issue is inflammation around the implant site. A systematic review found that roughly two in three people with implants develop peri-implant mucositis, which is inflammation of the gum tissue around the implant. It’s the implant equivalent of gingivitis and is reversible with proper cleaning.
More concerning is peri-implantitis, where inflammation progresses to actual bone loss around the implant. About one in four implant patients develops this condition. It can eventually lead to implant failure if untreated. Good oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, and prompt treatment of any gum inflammation are the best ways to protect your investment.
How to Choose the Right Provider
Start by asking how many implants the provider places per year and what percentage of their practice involves implant work. A dentist who places implants weekly will have sharper skills and better instincts than one who does it a few times a year. Ask whether they use 3D imaging for planning. If a provider relies solely on traditional X-rays, that’s a red flag for a surgical procedure where millimeters matter.
Look for credentials beyond a basic dental degree. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry offers a Fellowship credential that requires passing written and oral exams administered by experienced practitioners, plus submitting completed implant cases for peer review. Board certification in oral surgery, periodontics, or prosthodontics also signals advanced training. Ask to see before-and-after photos of cases similar to yours, and ask how the provider handles complications if they arise.
If your case is straightforward, your general dentist may be perfectly capable. But if they recommend referring you to a specialist, that’s a sign of good judgment, not a limitation. The best outcome comes from the provider whose training and experience match the complexity of your specific situation.