Oral surgeon, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, implantologist and denturist: the names sometimes sound similar, but each healthcare provider has a different task. Here you can read who examines, who implants, who makes your prosthesis and who you can contact with what questions.
Three professions, three individual roles
It is not the name, but your oral situation and the required treatment that determine who you need. With implant-retained removable dentures, these healthcare providers often work together.
Oral surgeon or oral and maxillofacial surgeon
In the Netherlands we mean the same medical-dental specialist: the specialist in Oral Diseases, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon has completed both dental and medical training and then completed specialist training.
- Typically works in or from a hospital.
- Treats complex jaw surgery, abnormalities, jaw problems and difficult extractions, among other things.
- Can place implants and prepare bone or soft tissue as necessary.
Dental implantologist
An implantologist focuses in particular on examining, planning, placing and checking implants. An implantologist recognized by the NVOI can be a dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon and can be found in the public NVOI register.
- Assess whether implants are medically and technically justified.
- Discusses the surgery, risks, healing and checks.
- Places implants within his own expertise and refers if necessary in case of complexity.
Denturist (Dutch tandprotheticus)
A denturist (Dutch tandprotheticus) specialises in removable dentures and can provide complete denture treatment independently. For partial or implant-retained dentures, we work with the dentist, implant dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
- Assesses fit, bite, function, appearance and your needs.
- Makes and fits dentures and implant-retained removable dentures, among other things.
- Provides adjustments, repairs and prosthetic aftercare.
A simple signpost
You do not need to know exactly which professional name corresponds to your question. During the intake we map out your situation and explain which healthcare provider may be needed.
For complex or hospital-related oral surgery
For example, complex bone grafting, conditions affecting the mouth or jaw, difficult extractions, medical considerations, trauma or other situations requiring specialist hospital care.
In examination, placement and assessment of implants
The implantologist examines whether there is sufficient bone and healthy tissue, discusses alternatives and risks and determines whether and how implants can be placed responsibly.
With your dentures, frame or implant-retained removable dentures
For questions about fit, chewing, speaking, appearance, looseness, repair, relining, replacement and manufacturing of dentures.
For professional cleaning and healthy tissue
Good oral hygiene and periodic check-ups remain important around implants. The dental hygienist can play a role in this as part of the agreed aftercare plan.
This is a general guide. The practitioners involved will work with you to determine which route is responsible in your personal situation.
This is how the process at Van Hoften Tandprothetiek can proceed
The treatment plan is built up step by step. The number of appointments and the order may differ depending on your oral situation, healing and the requirements of your insurer or health insurance fund.
Implantological care in our practice takes place in Gulpen
When an implantological process is carried out within our practice, the surgical part takes place in Gulpen. As an independent healthcare provider, Implant Company can place implants, extract teeth and check implants, among other things.
Van Hoften Tandprothetiek provides the prosthetic assessment, the design and manufacture of the dentures or implant-retained removable dentures and the prosthetic aftercare. Each healthcare provider remains responsible for their own treatment.
Annual check-ups are part of the care plan
The professional standard of care describes annual inspection of implants, suprastructure and prosthesis as part of the treatment. Exactly how often you are seen and by whom depends on your personal risk and the agreements within the treatment team.
Minimum annual assessment
For healthy implants, at least one check-up per year is usual. If there is a risk of inflammation, medical conditions, smoking, complaints or insufficient cleaning, more frequent checks may be necessary.
No general automatic sanction
The public policy conditions of major health insurers do not contain a general rule that any future reimbursement automatically expires after one missed annual check-up. Your own authorization, policy conditions and treatment agreements may contain additional conditions.
Every healthcare provider checks something different
The implantologist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon or dental hygienist assesses implants and surrounding tissue. The denturist checks, among other things, fit, bite, wear, bar or locators and the operation of the prosthesis.
The names and reimbursement rules differ
Check the registration and your insurance
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is an officially registered dental specialist. A dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon may also be recognized by the NVOI as an implantologist. You can check this recognition in the NVOI register. Simply being a member of an association is not the same as being a recognized implantologist.
Implant-supported prosthetics may require a referral, application or prior approval. Your health insurer decides on your personal reimbursement, patient contribution and deductible.
Ask about profession, experience and reimbursement
The official professional titles and referral routes are organized differently in Belgium. The term implantologist is used to indicate experience or an area of interest, but is not one of the three federally recognized special professional titles for dentists.
Check a healthcare provider via the official Health Pro search engine and ask your health insurance fund or health insurance fund in advance which regulations, nomenclature rules and conditions apply in your situation.
Short Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dental surgeon the same as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon?
Yes. In the Netherlands, MKA-chirurg is the full Dutch title for the specialist in oral diseases and oral and maxillofacial surgery. In everyday Dutch, people often say kaakchirurg.
Is every implantologist also a dental surgeon?
No. An implantologist can be a dentist who has demonstrably specialized in implantology, but also an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Therefore, always ask for the precise professional registration and any NVOI recognition.
Can a dental implantologist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon both place implants?
Yes, both can place implants within their expertise. Which healthcare provider is suitable for you depends on, among other things, the complexity, amount of bone, medical situation and the chosen treatment plan.
Who decides if I can get implants?
The implantologist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon assesses whether placement is medically and surgically justified. The denturist will assess the prosthetic question together with you. The final plan is created by combining that information.
Who makes my implant-retained removable dentures?
Van Hoften Tandprothetiek takes care of the prosthetic part: including scan or impression, bite assessment, fitting, placement and prosthetic aftercare. The surgical part and the implant checks are the responsibility of the authorized practitioner.
Who checks my implants and who checks my prosthesis?
This is teamwork. The implant dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon monitors the surgical and implant aspects. The denturist checks the fit, bite, wear and function of the denture. A dental hygienist may also help with cleaning and tissue health.
Am I obliged to have an annual check-up according to my health insurer?
No general public policy rule has been found whereby any reimbursement automatically expires after one missed check. According to the professional care standard, annual check-ups are part of aftercare after implants and may be included as an agreement or condition in your treatment agreement, authorization or policy conditions. Therefore, always check your own documents or ask your insurer for a written answer.
What happens if I skip the annual implant check-up?
Inflammation, wear or problems with implants, locators, bar or prosthesis can then be discovered later. In the event of a later repair, relining or replacement, a current assessment by the implantologist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon may first be required. This is not the same as automatic loss of reimbursement, but it can delay or influence the follow-up process.
Can the implantological part also take place in Maastricht?
No, when implantological care takes place within our own practice locations, this takes place in Gulpen. During the intake, discuss which appointments can take place for your program in Gulpen or Maastricht.
Who should I contact with an Implant Company or Infomedics bill?
Implant Company healthcare accounts are subject to their own administration and claims system. If you have any questions, please contact Implant Company directly or Infomedics if that name is on the bill. Van Hoften Tandprothetiek cannot view these billing records.
Based on official occupational information
This page provides general explanations and does not replace personal examination or treatment advice. Your practitioner will work with you to determine which healthcare provider and route are needed in your situation.
- NVMKA – What does a dental surgeon do?
- NVOI – information for patients and recognition of implantologists
- NVOI – public register of recognized implantologists
- ONT – Care Standard for Dental Prosthetic Care
- NVvP/NVOI – guideline for prevention and treatment of peri-implant infections
- VGZ – insurance conditions 2026
- Zilveren Kruis – reimbursement for dentures on implants
- FPS Public Health Belgium – Health Pro
- INAMI – nomenclature and reimbursement
- Read also: implantology from examination to aftercare
- Also read: implants and implant-retained removable dentures
Content checked by Maurice van Hoften, denturist. Occupational and source information last checked on August 21, 2026.
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