The economy has made EVERYONE cost conscious. That's why Beverly Hills Periodontics and Dental Implants offers the following guide to help you make an informed decision:

Do NOT stop your routine checkups. Canceling your regular checkups and cleanings as a means of cost savings can backfire. These checkups and cleanings actually help SAVE you costlier treatment in the long run. Regular dental visits help prevent problems or treat them before they become complicated and costly to fix.

To make an appointment with Dr. Madison, please call 310-553-2940.

You get what you pay for. When you compare dental implants from one doctor to another, do not consider cost alone. Your dental implants will be with you for the rest of your life, so it's important that they are of the highest quality.

Like any other device, there are many dental implant manufacturers. Although all dental implants must have FDA clearance before they can be used clinically, there are some companies that have superior implants because of the research and development that goes into it. The implants I use have all been clinically tested for many years, and have a proven track record.

No second chances. When it comes to placing a successful dental implant you usually have only one good shot at it. You want to do it one time and do it right. To repair or correct an improperly done dental implant is usually very complicated and VERY costly. But it's not just the cost. Redoing improperly performed dental implants means another round of pain and aggravation.

Not all doctors are the same. Your surgeon's talent and training is of utmost importance. Unfortunately, not all doctors are equally qualified. It reminds me of an old joke:

Q: What do you call the guy who graduated last in his dental school?
A: "Doctor."

Although we all carry the title doctor, our training, experience, natural talent and ethics is what sets high-quality doctors apart. The sad truth is that many doctors do not keep up with their education after they graduate from their training, and they either forget part of their education or do not practice the latest methods.

Because I teach other dentists, I need to be on the leading edge of all research, and innovations in our field. Because of this I read an average of two clinical journals per week, and attend more than 100 hours of continuing education classes per year.

Please see my bio page for a list of my degrees, honors, awards, and supplemental clinical experience.

Experience matters.When it comes to dental implants experience matters - a lot! You want to have your implants placed by someone who does dental implants all the time, who has years of experience.

I have personally performed more than 6000 dental implant procedures, and am still perfecting my method every day. Doctors who do 1-2 implant procedures per month do not have the experience necessary to handle a lot of moderately difficult cases.

Proper follow-up. Lastly, you want to have the procedure done by a surgeon who stands behind his service. Some implants are done by "traveling" surgeons who go into a dental office, do a few implant cases, and then disappear. Usually there is very poor follow up and no real protocol for managing complications should one arise. Think of it this way: what could be worse than your dentist skipping town after performing a poorly executed dental implant?

My practice is completely different, however. I have practiced dentistry for 20 years, and my staff and I work hard to keep up on the latest trends and technology, so that your dental implants are done right the first time. And, we have been located at the same Beverly Hills location for 9 years, so we can provide excellent follow-up if a complication arises.

So, as you can see, dental implants cannot be compared strictly based on cost. A quality surgeon, with a quality practice, will actually save you a lot of money and pain by getting the job done right the first time. Dental implants need to last a lifetime, so it's crucial to work with a dentist who can assure you a lifetime of success.

For more information on finding the right doctor for you, please see our guide to Choosing an Excellent Dental Surgeon.

If you have any other questions or comments regarding this article, please contact us at (310) 553-2940 or by email at periodontics@earthlink.net.

Please visit www.beverlyhillsperio.com for more information.

Dr. Miles Madison, D.D.S., is an award-winning periodontist in Beverly Hills, California.