What lasts longer than most cars, phones, and home appliances? Did you guess dental implants? If so, you got it right. (High five!) With something that can have such a significant impact on your life for years and even decades into the future, it really pays to do your homework to determine the best person for the job. And the fact that you’re here proves you’re doing your due diligence.
The best place to start is by asking smart questions, such as: Should you see a periodontist or a general dentist for implants?
While many general dentists place implants, a periodontist has years of additional specialty training in the gums and jawbone, which hold those implants in place. Especially in complex cases—think bone loss, gum disease, multiple teeth—a specialist (i.e., a periodontist) may be the right choice.
For those looking for a periodontist for dental implants in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, it can also help to understand their training and how that training benefits patients.
What Is a Periodontist?
In short, a periodontist is a dentist who went back to school—and then some. After finishing a bachelor’s degree and dental school, periodontists go back for an advanced specialty residency focused on the gums, jawbone, and supporting structures for a strong, healthy smile.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes periodontics as a dental specialty in the placement and care of dental implants. You can picture it as such: a general dentist is like your trusted primary care doc. The person who keeps an eye on everything, handling most of your routine care. A periodontist, on the other hand, is more like a specialist, such as a surgeon. Only a periodontist works on the foundation of your jaw—and when it comes to implants, foundation is, well, everything.
Periodontist Training vs. General Dentistry
Every dentist—general or specialist—starts with a bachelor’s degree plus four years of dental school. That, however, is where the paths split.
General dentists can have additional implant training, but it varies widely. Some take additional instruction—from weekend continuing education programs to extensive courses. Plenty of general dentists do good implant work—especially when the cases are straightforward.
Periodontists, though, spend additional years (not weeks) in a full-time residency that’s devoted to surgery on the gums and bone. That in-depth training covers everything from diagnosing bone loss to managing soft tissue to bone grafting to placing implants—with literally hundreds of hours of hands-on surgical experience under the careful supervision of other specialists.
That is the biggest difference when deciding on a periodontist vs. a dentist for implants. It’s not whether a dentist is capable of placing an implant but how much training depth they have to make decisions before, during, and after the procedure—especially if complications arise.
This isn’t, however, an either/or situation. In many cases, your general dentist and your periodontist work as your dental team—each doing what they do best so you have the best care and results.
Starting with a Strong Foundation
In the case of a dental implant, the most important part of the implant is the foundation—the titanium post that fuses with your jawbone to keep the new tooth snugly in place for decades to come. That post relies on the strength of the bone and gum tissue around it. This is why it makes sense to work with a periodontist on implants.
Before the implant ever goes in, a periodontist uses advanced techniques to evaluate whether the bone is thick enough, tall enough, and healthy enough to support the new tooth or teeth. If it isn’t, they don’t need to send you to another professional. Periodontists routinely perform advanced procedures every day, including:
- Tooth socket grafts to preserve bone after an extraction and ensure it’s ready for the implant
- Ridge augmentation to rebuild lost jawbone
- Sinus lifts to make room for implants in the upper jaw
- And gum disease treatment to clear up any infection before implant surgery
Once the implant is placed, they can continue follow-up to ensure everything is healing well. For instance, they can watch for peri-implantitis—which is basically gum disease around an implant—and it is one of the most common reasons implants fail. Preventing and treating such complications are exactly what periodontists are trained to do.
The Hometown Advantage: Pine Belt Periodontics & Dental Implants
Patients who need expert, specialist care can find it with Dr. Brian A. Pitfield at Pine Belt Periodontics & Dental Implants.
Dr. Pitfield has spent the last three decades caring for this community and has deep roots in the area. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1986 (go Screaming Eagles!) and then completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the LSU School of Dentistry in New Orleans in 1990. From there, he pursued specialty training at Baylor, earning a Master of Science from Baylor University and a Certificate in Periodontics from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas in 1992.
Since he graduated, Dr. Pitfield has practiced in Hattiesburg for 33 years. Along the way, he’s earned certifications for both IV sedation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). This is helpful for those patients who want a more relaxed dental experience, knowing their doctor is trained to keep them safe. Dr. Pitfield is also a member of both the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Periodontology.
These credentials are reassuring to be sure, but even more important is how Dr. Pitfield and his staff treat patients. Dr. Pitfield’s patients often share how he takes the time to explain every step, brings them into the treatment-planning conversation, and even texts to check on them the day after a procedure—showing how much he truly cares.
Periodontist Dental Implants Hattiesburg, Mississippi, FAQ
Do I need a referral from my dentist to see a periodontist?
Many patients do come to Pine Belt through a recommendation from their general dentist, but this isn’t always required. Give our office a call at (601) 264-2424, and we’ll help you figure out the next best step.
Will I still see my regular dentist after getting implants?
Yes. In fact, your general dentist will remain an important part of your care for cleaning, checkups, and more. Think of the relationship between your general dentist and your periodontist as a partnership, not a competition.
What if I’ve been told I don’t have enough bone for implants?
This is the type of situation periodontists like Dr. Pitfield trained for—bone grafting, ridge augmentation, and sinus lifts can be used to build the strong foundations needed for successful implants.
Are there sedation options for implant surgery?
Dr. Pitfield is certified in IV sedation, which can help even anxious patients feel calmer and more comfortable during procedures. We can talk through the options during your consultation.
Periodontist Dental Implants Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Implants aren’t just cosmetic. They’re an investment in your health, confidence, and quality of life. The right specialist can help ensure you have a strong foundation for long-lasting results.
If you are ready to consider dental implants in the Hattiesburg, Mississippi, area, we’d love to meet you and discuss how we can help you with a happier, healthier smile. Call to schedule (601) 264-2424 or request your consultation with Dr. Pitfield today.