Dental Implants - Two systems on one patient. Views?

Uphillanddowndale

I have had an implant for a few years and I am quite happy with both the implant performance (camlog) and the practice. 

Some old dental work on the other side of the mouth needs doing. One option is to avoid reconstruction and go for single implant.

However the implantologist has moved on and the practice is now doing Astra.

My understanding is that one wants the same system in case you move house or dentist and need to get someone with the same tools. Two systems might mean trying to find a dentist with two sets of the same tools.

Also - the new implantologist seems very competent but is just learning. 

Opinions or views?

Toothsmith

I think you might be overthinking a bit. 

So long as the systems used were relatively 'mainstream' at some point, and not some bargain bucket knock-off copy - then getting hold of the tools to carry out possible future maintenance shouldn't be too much of a hassle for a reasonable dentist with a decent network of professional contacts.

Problems from a well placed implant, in a patient with good hygiene habits are relatively few, and can be monitored by most reasonably competent general dentists.

If problems are detected, then referred back to the placing dentist, or if you've moved a long way away a local implant specialist, and there would be someone who could easily get access to any required tools. 

This would be much better than trying to stick to an older implant system for the sake of consistency. Things do evolve, after all. 

Uphillanddowndale

Thank you very much for the reassurance.

You are right about overthinking the issue. Most likely through ignorance. I recalled reading on this forum several years ago about the expense to dentists of the tools for each system. So they might not have more than one. 

Your response is an excellent example of the value of these forums. 

Toothsmith

Yes - you're right, it can be expensive.

I don't place implants as in I don't do the surgery to put the implant into the bone, but I have, in the last few years, started doing the 'top bit' by sorting out the crown that goes on top of one once the specialist has finished his bit and is satisfied it's ready for it.

My specialist mainly uses Astra implants, so I have the tools I need for them. If he moved on to another system, I'd then get those tools, but the Astra ones wouldn't be thrown away!

If a new patient came to me as a general dentist, I could probably remove any Astra restoration to have a look underneath, if I felt I needed to, But If I picked up any problem with a new patient's existing implants, and the placing dentist was a long way away - My fist call would almost certainly be to send them over to the specialist I use to let them have a look and suggest what might be necessary. They would have access to a lot more resources than I have.

Ibrahim5

If an implant was done abroad there is no way a UK dentist could ever touch it because the system would be different to what they are familiar with.

Uphillanddowndale

Thank you. I wasn't planning a foreign trip for this purpose. Although I imagine a lot of the big systems are international, I would much prefer to have someone local that is could go back to.