Helaine Smith DMD

In a recent NY Times article, A Dental Shift: Implants Instead of Bridges, reporter Jane E. Brody discussed why dental implants are now the new standard of care.

The reasons dental implants are growing in popularity include better materials, advanced technology, and more experienced dental professionals.

And unlike crowns, dental implants don’t decay and can be maintained just like your regular teeth — through daily brushing and flossing.

What I like best about this article, however, is that Brody re-emphasizes the point I made in an earlier post about choosing dental professionals trained in dental implantology:

Just as any physician can legally perform surgery, any dentist can legally do implants. Be sure to choose someone thoroughly trained in the technique. Taking a weekend course in implantology is rarely adequate. There are risks involved in placing implants, including damage to a nerve or sinus cavity, which are magnified when the practitioner lacks adequate training.

Thank you, Ms. Brody, for an informative, fact-filled article that educates consumers!