What type of dentist performs root form dental implants?

In Dentistry, there is no recognized specialty for dental implants. This means that there is no one place that can truly say that they specialize in implantology. Although some practitioners limit their practice to only placing and or restoring implants, there are different types of dentists who are expert at performing this service, while offering other types of dentistry as well. Most commonly, oral surgeons and periodontists perform surgical implant placements, with prosthodontists and general dentists performing the restoration on top of the implant. 

Furthermore, there are a few dentists who have the training and experience to perform all stages of implant therapy. These dentists are few, but do not belong to any one specialty. I happen to be one of these practitioners.

It is always a good idea to be an informed patient. Be courageous enough to ask your dental provider about his experience in performing any proposed procedure. If the doc doesn't want to tell you, he probably doesn't have a heap of expertise.

You first need to understand that the term "dental implant" often is tossed about to include the finished product, but technically the implant is the fixture that is placed in the jawbone. It is made of titanium or titanium alloy which is not rejected by the body. Instead bone grows in close proximity thus locking the implant physically in the jawbone.

There are usually three parts to the implant treatment: surgical placement of the fixture, torquing the final abutment into the fixture (similar to the preparation of the tooth for a crown), and the cementation of the crown or tooth onto the abutment.

So back to the question: What type of dentist performs root form dental implants? You need to further ask: who places the fixtures and who restores those implants with crowns, dentures, bridges, etc?

Periodontists and oral surgeons place most of the implant fixtures. They have 3-6 years extra training after dental school. Part of that training includes implant surgery. Prosthodontists have 3 years extra training to restore patients' dentitions (including with implant prostheses). Endodontists are a little late trying to get in on the action. General dentists have different levels of training (anywhere from weekend courses and mini-residencies to GPR and AEGD residencies) in placing or restoring implants.

General dentists and prosthodontists restore the vast majority of dental implants.

The most important question you can ask any dentist or dental specialist is how many implants has he/she placed or restored. You don't want to be one of some guys first 50 patients. Once they have done about 50 cases, they have achieved a minimal level of facility in placing or restoring implants. The more cases they have done, the more likely they can handle your case and any possible problems that arise.

Dental implants are placed by dental specialists and general dentists. The specialties of Oral and Maxillo-facial Surgery, Periodontists and Prosthodontists have historically incorporated implant training in their formal programs. Endodontics Specialty programs have more recently incorporated implants training in their programs as well. General dentists have been involved in the placement of implants since they were first introduced, although the percentage of general dentists placing them compared to the general dental community is still small but growing.

Restoring via dental implants involves 2 stages.  

1. the surgical placement of the implant; and,
2. the restoration of the implant with an abutment and a crown.  

The first stage can be performed by an oral surgeon, a periodontist, a specially trained endodontist, or even a general dentist. The restorative phase is usually performed by a general dentist or a prosthodontist.