Is It Okay to Save Money Using Two Different Dentists: One for the Extraction and the Other for the Dental Implant?

Question

I have insurance that would cover a tooth extraction. However, I am considering getting a dental implant shortly thereafter from a specialist which is not covered by my insurance. Is it okay to save a few hundred dollars to get the tooth extracted from my current dentist, possibly wait a few months and then the specialist would only need to do the implant?

George Koutsoukos, DDS · Answer

In a perfect world you would have insurance that would cover both extraction and implant placement, but it is NOT a perfect world!  I am a Prosthodontist  and do both and we accept all insurances. Many Periodontists do implant placement but do not do extractions. You would have your general dentist do the extraction.  You have to decide if your general dentist is a good enough dentist to do the extraction and be mindful of conserving bone and doing no damage. I would suggest you discuss how much out of pocket you will be if  the oral surgeon does the extraction as well.  Implants are expensive and I would not worry about the dollars you would save for the extraction and worry about the implant and bone conservation.  You need to do the right thing here.

H. Ryan Kazemi, DMD · Answer

HiNot recommended at all. Allow one surgeon to take care of the extraction and implant. This way he / she can properly assess and develop the implant site and make sure the bone and tissue are adequately designed to receive the implant. Additionally, one person can take responsibility and quality assurance of your treatment. The critical point is to have one person do the surgical procedures (extraction, grafting needs, implant) and then see a different restorative dentist for the crown part. This is the best team approach.

Peter Mann, DDS · Answer

I understand your dilemma, but it's extremely important that the extraction is done atraumatically conserving as much bone as possible.  Ideally the same surgeon placing the implant should be the one who will carefully extract the tooth without damaging the surrounding bone.  If the dentist is not familiar with implants, he may damage the bone when attempting to get the tooth out.  If there's not enough bone when it comes time to place the implant you may require additional bone grafting procedures which will cost time and money.  Sometimes the dentist will immediately notice after the extraction that there's a large bone defect that requires a bone graft and perform it that same visit..

Jay Neuhaus, DDS · Answer

"Penny wise...Pound foolish". For the best results, the surgeon who will be placing the implant should be the surgeon doing the extraction. At the time of extraction, the surgeon can make the final decision on bone grafting, and any other special requirements that the implant may need.

Eric Linden, DMD, MSD · Answer

We generally extract the teeth that we replace with dental implants. This gives us the option of an immediate implant placement or at the very least, the time to laser the socket and bone graft the extraction site for a future implant. On the rare occasion another specialist extracts a tooth before I place an implant, I instruct them to bone graft the socket and send the case over to our office ASAP so we can laser the area for bio-stimulation to create the environment for faster healing.

Is It Okay to Save Money Using Two Different Dentists: One for the Extraction and the Other for the Dental Implant?

Answers (6)

Answer: Saving Money Using 2 Dentists

Answer: Saving Money Using 2 Dentists

Answer: Implants/Extractions/ Bone Graft/ Laser

Answer: Implants/Extractions/ Bone Graft/ Laser

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Everything you need to know about Dental Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Is It Okay to Save Money Using Two Different Dentists: One for the Extraction and the Other for the Dental Implant?

Answers (6)

Answer: Saving Money Using 2 Dentists

Answer: Saving Money Using 2 Dentists

Answer: Implants/Extractions/ Bone Graft/ Laser

Answer: Implants/Extractions/ Bone Graft/ Laser

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dental Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.