Be Your Best in 2018: Considering Dental Implants

The Top Questions You Should Ask Before Considering Dental Implant Surgery

The team at Coastal Oral Surgery knows that many people dislike going to the doctor’s office; however, they strongly believe that they can make it a pleasant experience for you. Because Dr. Capes and his staff see you as a person, and not as a procedure, they aim to do everything they can to take care of you and make a positive difference in both your overall dental health and your life. Jeff O. Capes, DMD, MD, has the rare distinction of having both a Doctorate in Dentistry and a Doctorate in Medicine. He is licensed in Georgia to practice both dentistry and medicine. You may ask why he has trained so hard and so long? Surgery is a complex process. You see, it is not about only performing a procedure, it is about taking care of you as a whole. So many different factors determine what procedure will be right for you. It is Dr. Capes training and experience that then allows him to treat you properly and successfully.

From simple crowns to complete teeth replacement, dental implants are changing the way people live. Dental implants allow people who are missing teeth to regain the ability to eat normally and have the confidence that their teeth appear natural and their normal facial contours will be preserved. If you are considering dental implants, Dr. Capes says there are some key questions you should ask before proceeding.

1. First and foremost, who will be performing your surgery, what is their training, and do they live where you are being treated.

At Coastal Oral Surgery, Dr. Capes will be performing all of your surgical care. While studying at Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Capes trained under Dr. Charles Babbush, one of the early pioneers in implant dentistry. This opportunity provided him with a wealth of knowledge, training, and experience that gave him a solid foundation in implant dentistry. He also completed one year of general surgery. However, the learning didn’t stop there! Dr. Capes continues to participate in national meetings, study clubs, and various learning opportunities to make sure his practice is up to date and current on procedures and technologies to provide you with the best care. Lastly, and most importantly, Dr. Capes lives locally and is always available to take care of you after your procedure. For further peace of mind, he will even provide you with his cell phone number after your appointment. Don’t let a traveling doctor complete your surgery and then be unavailable should an issue arise.

2. How many implants has the doctor placed? Do they do it every day? In what environment?

You’ll want to consider the doctor’s experience doing implant surgery, as well as the setting in which the surgery takes place. Dr. Capes placed his first implant in 1993 and since that time he has placed over 12,000 implants. He and his team at Coastal Oral Surgery place dental implants every single day of the week. The office has a dedicated area with hospital-style operating rooms for your procedure. Dr. Capes and his staff feel that experience, a state of the art facility, and personalized care are what you deserve.

3. Is the person performing your procedure capable of handling any issue that may arise during or after your procedure?

The goal at Coastal Oral Surgery is that everything goes perfectly during and after your surgical procedure. However, Dr. Capes and his staff understand through experience that there can be deviations in procedures. With Dr. Capes’ training you can rest assured that he can handle any issue that may arise. Your care at Coastal Oral Surgery never ends with the procedure, Dr. Capes is always available for you throughout your healing process.

4. What is the doctor’s success rate?

After keeping track of all implant procedures performed at Coastal Oral Surgery, they’re proud to be able to say that over the years they have achieved a 98% success rate. This high rate of success exceeds the national average and is something in which this practice takes great pride. Your success is their success!

5. Is your dental procedure being done under a team approach?

Dr. Capes believes in using a “team” approach to provide you with the best care possible. The team approach has 3 corners all working for you: your Dentist, a Dental Laboratory, and Dr. Capes - your surgical specialist. You, the patient, are in the center.

Knowing that it’s not possible to be truly exceptional at everything, Dr. Capes and his staff embrace the concept of teamwork and will collaborate with your dentist throughout your treatment. Coastal Oral Surgery focuses on the surgical aspect of your care and does that exceptionally well. Rest assured you will be working with your talented restorative dentist and some of the best dental laboratories in the country. Before you leave your first appointment, Dr. Capes has already been in communication with your dentist. Collaboration and communication through a team approach is what implant dentistry is all about. When you have a team working together toward a common goal, it is you as the patient that benefits.

There are several reasons to consider dental implants over more traditional types of restorations. Removing a denture or “partial” at night may be inconvenient. Upper or lower dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and often embarrassing. It makes no sense to compromise adjacent healthy teeth to bridge a missing tooth space. Implants are the answer by replacing missing teeth and protecting your natural healthy teeth. Dental implants maintained properly will last you a lifetime.

If you are considering implants, Dr. Capes would love to meet you. The staff and office culture at Coastal Oral Surgery create a different environment than anyone else in the industry. They are focused on taking care of people and they hope in some small way to make a difference in every life in which they come in contact.

Coastal Oral Surgery is located at 110 Office Park Lane, Suite 104, St. Simons Island. For more information, visit their website at capesoralsurgery.com or call them at 912.634.6600 to make an appointment.