Can A DMD Do Dental Implants? -

You are sitting in the dental chair, and you look at the wall. You see a diploma that says “DMD” on it. You need a dental implant, and you are wondering: “Is this person qualified to do the surgery? Or do I need a specialist?”

The world of dental credentials can be confusing. You see letters like DDS, DMD, FICOI, and you wonder what they all mean. The question of whether a DMD can perform dental implants is a common one, and the answer is more about training than the letters themselves.

The short answer is yes, a DMD can absolutely perform dental implants. But the real question is: should they? This guide will clarify what a DMD is, how it differs from a DDS, and how to determine if the DMD you are seeing has the right experience to handle your specific case.

Table of Contents

The Great Debate: DMD vs. DDS (Spoiler: They Are the Same)

Let’s get the most confusing part out of the way first. What is the difference between a DMD and a DDS?

DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery.
DMD stands for Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine.

Here is the secret: they are exactly the same degree. There is no difference in the curriculum, the training, or the legal scope of practice.

The reason for the two different names is purely historical. In 1840, the first dental school in the world (the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery) awarded the DDS degree. Later, Harvard University decided to start a dental school. Because Harvard only awards degrees in Latin, they translated “Doctor of Dental Surgery” into Latin. The Latin translation was “Dentariae Medicinae Doctor” (DMD). Other universities followed suit, and now the world has two acronyms for the same degree.

So, when you ask “Can a DMD do dental implants?”, the answer is the same as asking “Can a dentist do dental implants?”

The Legal Truth: General Dentists Can Place Implants

In the United States, the legal scope of practice for a general dentist (whether they hold a DDS or a DMD) is very broad. State dental boards allow general dentists to perform any procedure they are competent to perform, including oral surgery like implant placement.

This means that a DMD who just graduated from dental school last week is legally allowed to place an implant, even if they have never done one before. This is where the issue of competence comes in.

The Three Levels of Implant Training for a DMD

If you are sitting in the chair of a DMD, you need to know what level of training they have when it comes to implants. There are three general tiers:

1. The “Weekend Course” Dentist
This is a general dentist who decided they wanted to offer implants to their patients. They took a short course—often a weekend seminar at a hotel—where they learned the basics of placing an implant in a plastic model.

Strengths: They can handle very simple, straightforward cases (like a single tooth in dense bone with no complications).
Weaknesses: They lack the surgical experience to handle complications, bleeding, or difficult anatomy. They might not know when to refer a case to a specialist.

2. The “Advanced Credentialed” Dentist
This is a DMD who has invested heavily in their education. They have taken hundreds of hours of continuing education, completed mini-residencies, and passed rigorous exams.

Credentials to look for:
- FICOI (Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists).
- DICOI (Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists).
- MAGD (Master of the Academy of General Dentistry).
Strengths: They are highly skilled and can handle most routine implant cases, including simple bone grafts. They understand the biology and the aesthetics of implants.
Weaknesses: They still might refer out extreme cases (like major sinus lifts or full mouth reconstructions) to a specialist.

3. The Surgical Specialist (Oral Surgeon or Periodontist)
This is a DMD (or DDS) who went on to complete a 3-6 year hospital-based surgical residency after dental school.

Credentials: Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, or Board Certified Periodontist.
Strengths: They are the undisputed experts. They handle complex anatomy, severe bone loss, facial trauma, and medically compromised patients daily.
Weaknesses: They are more expensive, and they usually only do the surgery (you go back to your general dentist for the tooth/crown).

How to Evaluate Your DMD for Implants

If a general dentist (DMD) has recommended an implant and wants to do it themselves, you have the right to ask questions. Here is a checklist of what to look for:

1. Ask About Their Training:
“How many dental implant courses have you taken? Do you have any advanced credentials like a Fellowship from the ICOI?”

2. Ask About Their Experience:
“How many implants do you place per year? How many total have you placed in your career?”
A dentist who places 100+ implants a year is in a different league than one who places 10.

3. Ask About 3D Imaging:
“Do you use a 3D CBCT scanner to plan the surgery?”
If they say they can do it with only a standard 2D X-ray, you should be concerned. 3D imaging is the standard of care for preventing nerve damage.

4. Ask About Their “Comfort Zone”:
“What happens if I need a major bone graft or a sinus lift? Will you do that, or will you refer me to a specialist?”
A good dentist knows their limits.

5. Ask to See Their Work:
“Can you show me before-and-after photos of your implant cases?”

The “One-Stop Shop” Advantage

There is a huge advantage to having a DMD do your implant and your crown. It is convenient. You do not have to drive to an oral surgeon’s office for the surgery and then back to your general dentist for the tooth.

Furthermore, because the general dentist is the one who will be restoring the tooth, they know exactly where the implant needs to be positioned for the best aesthetic result. This coordination between the surgical phase and the restorative phase can lead to beautiful outcomes.

When You Should Insist on a Specialist

There are certain situations where a wise DMD will want to refer you to a specialist (and if they don’t, you should leave).

Red Flag Cases:

Severe Bone Loss: If you have been missing a tooth for 20 years and the bone is flat, you need a complex bone graft. See a specialist.
Sinus Issues: If the implant needs to go into the upper back jaw and the sinus is low, you need a sinus lift. See a periodontist or oral surgeon.
Medical Complications: If you have uncontrolled diabetes, a history of radiation to the jaw, or IV bisphosphonate use, you need a surgeon who is trained in managing medically complex patients.
Nerve Proximity: If the 3D scan shows the implant will be close to the nerve in the lower jaw, do not risk it with a novice.

Conclusion

Yes, a DMD can do dental implants. The degree (DMD) is equivalent to a DDS, and general dentists are legally permitted to place them. However, the skill level varies greatly. Before letting a DMD place your implant, verify their advanced training (like an ICOI Fellowship), ask about their experience, ensure they use 3D imaging, and confirm they know when to refer complex cases. If the case is complex, opting for a specialist is the safest choice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is a DMD a “real” dentist?
Yes. A DMD is a Doctor of Dental Medicine. It is identical to a DDS. Both require four years of dental school after a bachelor’s degree. The difference is only in the name chosen by the university.

2. Who is better at implants: a DMD or an oral surgeon?
An oral surgeon is a specialist. They have 4-6 years of surgical residency after dental school. While a highly experienced DMD can be excellent at routine implants, an oral surgeon is better trained for complex cases, complications, and advanced sedation.

3. Is it cheaper to get an implant from a general dentist (DMD) than a specialist?
Usually, yes. General dentists often charge slightly less for the surgical phase than oral surgeons or periodontists. However, for a complex case, paying the specialist fee is worth the expertise.

4. What is a “Prosthodontist”? Can they do implants?
A prosthodontist is a DMD/DDS who specializes in restoring and replacing teeth (crowns, bridges, dentures). They are the “architects” of the smile. Some prosthodontists also place implants, but their main expertise is in designing the tooth that goes on top. They often work with a surgical specialist.

5. How do I verify a DMD’s implant credentials?
Ask for their specific credentials. If they claim to be a “Fellow” or “Diplomate,” verify it on the website of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) or the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). Do not just trust the letters on the wall.