Dental Implants
YOUR DENTAL IMPLANT TEAM
Huntersville (Charlotte Metro), NC
Meet the specialists who work together for a successful implant outcome
Meet the specialists who work together for a successful implant outcome
If you have decided to replace some or all of your missing teeth with dental implants, it helps to understand who will actually be involved in your care. Dental implant treatment is rarely a one-person job. It requires planning and coordination among several dental health professionals who work together to build a personalized plan of care specific to your mouth, your bone, and your goals. At Lake Norman Oral & Facial Surgery in Huntersville (Charlotte metro), Dr. Raymond J. Haigney II leads this coordinated approach for patients throughout the region.
Who exactly are the professionals who help make your implants a success? Here is a look at who may be on your team and what role each person plays.
Your first step is usually consulting with a general dentist experienced in assessing whether you are a good candidate for implants. This includes evaluating the general health of your gums, jawbone, and surrounding teeth, often with help from a dental hygienist during the initial assessment.
In uncomplicated cases — for example, when there are no problems with the gums or underlying bone — a general dentist may be able to perform the full implant procedure, serving as both the surgeon and the restorative specialist. In more complicated cases, your general dentist will refer you to a more specialized oral surgeon, like Dr. Haigney, or to a restorative specialist to place and restore your implants.
The restorative dentist, who may also be your general dentist depending on the complexity of your case, serves as the primary "team coordinator" managing the overall process. Your restorative dentist understands the surgical considerations for implant placement and can refer you to other appropriate team members when necessary, such as an orthodontist or endodontist.
The restorative dentist is also responsible for:
For implant placement itself, many patients are referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon such as Dr. Haigney, who is double board-certified and has extensive experience placing implants in complex bone and soft-tissue situations. The oral surgeon handles extractions, bone grafting, sinus lifts, and the precise surgical placement of the implants, working from 3D imaging to plan each case before the day of surgery.
A dental nurse experienced in implant surgery and peri-operative care assists your dentist or surgeon throughout the procedure, monitoring your comfort and supporting the surgical team from start to finish.
You probably will not meet your dental technician, but this person plays a critical role in a successful outcome. The dental technician creates the implants and prosthetic teeth your surgeon will place. Because the implant and prosthesis must be made from the proper materials and crafted specifically to fit your mouth, an experienced and capable dental technician is an important part of the process, even from behind the scenes.
The dental hygienist is an integral member of the dental implant team. Typically, the hygienist helps assess whether a patient is a good candidate for implants, evaluates what kind of maintenance the patient will need, and provides instruction on the dental hygiene routine required to keep implants healthy long-term.
It can be beneficial for the dental hygienist to observe the surgery, since once the case is complete, the hygienist often becomes the care coordinator who keeps the lines of communication open with the dentist or surgeon who placed the implants. After the implants are placed and healed, the hygienist discusses with you and the rest of the team how often you should return for maintenance visits. At each visit, a thorough assessment typically includes:
Your dental hygienist shares all clinical findings with your dentist or surgeon at each appointment, keeping everyone on the team informed.
In larger practices, or in complex cases involving multiple specialists, a dedicated care coordinator or treatment planner may also join your team. This person tracks appointment scheduling across every provider involved in your care, confirms insurance and financing details before each phase of treatment, and serves as your point of contact when you have questions between visits. For patients undergoing multi-step treatment such as bone grafting followed by implant placement followed by a final restoration, a care coordinator helps make sure nothing falls through the cracks between offices.
You are also a very important part of your dental implant team. You and your care team are working together toward one shared goal: a successful, long-lasting implant outcome. Your role is to ask questions, follow pre- and post-operative instructions closely, maintain good oral hygiene, and bring any issues you notice to the team's attention promptly rather than waiting for your next scheduled visit.
Throughout the process, good communication between every member of the team — including you — is essential. By working together, you and your dental implant team give yourself the greatest chance of a successful, comfortable, long-term outcome.
If you are ready to build your own dental implant team, call Lake Norman Oral & Facial Surgery in Huntersville at (704) 987-3132 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Haigney.
Related Article: Temporary Tooth Dental Implant
Words cannot express enough, how wonderful, caring and professional Dr. Haigney and his staff are! After being rushed to the Huntersville hospital with an orbital fracture, broken nose and other facial damage, Dr. Haigney rushed me into surgery (on his day off I must add) and corrected all my problems. I only wish all doctors cared as much about their patients and their recovery as Dr. Haigney and his staff did. Thank you so much for everything! Your attention and compassion has helped me make my recovery as comfortable as possible. 5 star service!
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