Quick Answer
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons and periodontists have the most surgical training to place implants, especially for complex or full-arch cases, while experienced general dentists can handle straightforward single implants.
Several kinds of dental professionals place implants — but their training isn't the same, and for a procedure this important, the difference is worth understanding. Knowing who does what helps you choose with confidence, especially if your case is complex or full-arch. Here's a straight comparison of the providers and how to pick the right one for your situation.
- Oral & maxillofacial surgeon — Training focus: Surgery of the mouth, jaw & face; Best for: Complex, full-arch, bone grafting, sedation
- Periodontist — Training focus: Gums & supporting bone; Best for: Implants alongside gum/bone health
- Prosthodontist — Training focus: Restoring & replacing teeth; Best for: The crown/prosthetic side of treatment
- General dentist (with implant training) — Training focus: Broad dentistry; Best for: Straightforward single implants
What credentials should you look for?
Titles matter less than demonstrated surgical training and experience. Look for:
- Formal surgical training in implantology — an oral surgeon, a periodontist, or a general dentist with extensive, documented implant education.
- Case volume — ask directly how many implants they've placed; experience compounds into predictability.
- In-house diagnostic imaging and guided surgery, which improve accuracy and safety.
- A portfolio of before/after cases and genuine patient reviews.
- Transparent, written treatment planning — not pressure.
Why it matters most for full-arch cases
A single, simple implant is routine for many trained dentists. But All-on-4 and full-mouth cases are a different level — they involve extractions, precisely angled placement, sometimes bone grafting, and sedation. This is where a surgeon's or periodontist's deeper training pays off directly in safety, predictability, and a result that lasts. For these cases, who holds the drill genuinely matters.
Questions to ask at your consultation
A confident provider welcomes these: How many of these procedures have you placed? Who performs the surgery, and who makes the final teeth? Do you use guided surgery? What's your success rate? The answers tell you a lot — both about the clinician and about whether you'll feel comfortable in their chair. (Meet our team on the About page, and see how to choose a clinic.)