Periodontist or oral surgeon for extraction, grafting & implant? (pulled, implants, molar)

[elspousee]

I've been told that my first molar that had previously had RCT may have fractured in which case it needs to be pulled. I'm hoping to replace it with an implant, which I was told will likely require a sinus lift.


I was wondering if it's better to have all the work (extraction/gum graft/implant placement) done by a periodontist or oral surgeon?



My bias had been towards oral surgeon because I got the impression that they were a little more physician-like (in fact a lot in my area also have an MD) and I get nervous about the various anatomic structures they'll need to work around. But when I did some casual googling I saw that a lot of general dentists expressed a slight preference for referring to periodontists because they think they're better at soft tissue management, more collaborative with the restorative dentist about direction of implant placement, and a little less "cocky" about things like not removing unnecessary bone during extraction and/or the direction in which they place the implant.


Is one clearly better than the other and/or are there specific situations where one would be better?

[Hemlock140]

I have had 4 implants over the last 10 years, and in every case, the extractions, bone grafts, impressions and implants have been done by my regular dentist. Currently I have one post/abutment waiting to heal for the crown next month. I've never had to go to a specialist, but I never needed a sinus lift. That definitely does require one, and I would ask your dentist for a referral, since they would probably work together with the dentist doing the implant later.