Georgia does not regulate their dentists, so any dentist can perform procedures that would, in most other regulated states, would be performed by a specialist. This is such an example.
I went to Dr. Cohen, who was my regular dentist at that time, when my front upper tooth started hurting. He told me that the tooth was infected. I was given antibiotics but the tooth could not be saved. Dr. Cohen recommended an extraction and replacing the tooth with an implant. He said that he knew how to do implants so I agreed to let him do the implant. He said that front tooth implants were very delicate as it is very important to keep the thin bone in the jaw from breaking. He performed the extraction and proceeded to put in the implant, which had to be hammered in. After that procedure was completed around 10 am, he told me to go to work. Bad idea. After the anesthesia wore off I was in excruciating pain and had to go home and dope myself out (I have had 2 more implants put in since then, and have never had any pain after the anesthesia wore off).
Soon after that procedure I mentioned to Dr. Cohen that I was planning to make a visit abroad - to Asia. Dr. Cohen asked me if I could buy him some implants because "they were cheaper there." I declined. A few months later he capped the implant with a crown. This crown was larger than its twin. So apparently, Dr. Cohen had not exercised the care that he should have and did break the bone.
Right after that I broke another tooth which ended up being an extraction. I changed dentists rather than let Dr. Cohen handle this implant too. My new dentist recommended that I go to a specialist for the implant (Incidentally, before placing this implant the specialist voluntarily showed me the implant packaging and gave me the literature without my asking for it).
5 years later in July 2012 the whole crown along with the screw that keeps the tooth in the implant fell out of my mouth. I had moved west and I went to a prosto-dontist, who only does implants. My prostodontist told me that the entire crown, abutment and screw had to be replaced because the abutment made by Dr. Cohen was not custom. Apparently custom abutments for front teeth are the norm. I called Dr. Cohen to find out what kind of implant it was, and whether he could send me the documentation for it? I did not hear back from him so I called him again. His secretary gave me this information over the phone.
Since there is no way to tell whether the implant is the actual brand that Dr. Cohen said it was, or something that was purchased from a non-US source, and because my prosto-dontist seriously doubted that the implant was a brand name, he advised me that there was a good chance that the new crown might also fall out, screw and all. He also informed me that putting in implants to replace front teeth is an art which is attempted by only the most experienced implant surgeons. This he did while pointing out that Dr. Cohen had damaged the bone when he put in the implant which meant that the implant crown had to made bigger to cover the opening - in other words, poor aesthetics.
Why am I posting this now?
I brought this matter to the attention of the Georgia Board of Dentistry. Apparently, in Georgia any licensed dentist can do implants regardless of whether they have had any specialized training. In California where I now live now 3 general dentist referred me to specialists. So buyer beware.
Because what I did not know hurt me, ruined the aesthetics of my smile, and cost me an additional $4000.00 for the new abutment and crown. Had I known better I would have obtained a referral to an expert and the result would have been different and I would not be posting this review. read more