Questions to ask about dental implants before you commit

You've got a quote for dental implants. Maybe you've got two, and they don't look alike. One runs to a page of line items, the other gives a single total and not much else. Either way, it's hard to know what you're comparing.

Below are the questions to ask about dental implants before you say yes. Use them if you're holding a quote, or if you're seeing a second opinion dentist to check what you've been told. They apply to any clinic, including us.

Ask for the answers in writing where you can. A clinic that explains things clearly is much easier to compare with another. If the answers are vague, that tells you something as well.

Questions to ask a dental implant clinic about your quote

What exactly is included in the price?

Implant treatment has several parts, and clinics group them in different ways. Ask whether the price covers the consultation, the scan, the implant, the abutment (the connector that sits between the implant and the crown), the crown and your follow-up appointments.

If one quote includes the scan and another charges for it separately, the two totals aren't measuring the same thing.

What could be added later, and when would I know?

A quote reflects what the clinic knows at the time. A scan or examination can show something that changes the plan. Ask which extras could come up, at what stage you'd find out, and whether you'd be asked to agree before anything is added.

This is the question that most often explains why two quotes end up far apart.

Who will place the implant, and how can I check them?

Ask who will carry out the placement, how long they've been doing it and roughly how many implants they've placed. Then check for yourself.

Dentists working in the UK must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC), and the GDC's online register is free to search. Look up the clinician by name or registration number and see whether their registration is current.

It takes a couple of minutes, and you don't need the clinic's permission to do it.

Which implant system will be used, and will it be written in my records?

Implants are made by different manufacturers, and each system has its own parts. Ask for the brand and system name, and ask for it to be recorded in your treatment notes.

With that on paper, the details are on file if another clinician ever needs them.

Where does treatment happen, and how are visits planned?

Find out which location you'll attend for each stage, and whether that's the same site throughout. Ask how many visits to expect and how they're spaced out. Then think about what that means for your diary, your travel and any time off work.

What aftercare is included, and what happens if something goes wrong?

Ask what follow-up is covered, for how long, and what an extra appointment would cost you. Then ask the harder question. If there's a problem after treatment, who deals with it, where, and at whose cost?

A clear written answer here is a good sign. A shrug isn't.

What are the payment terms?

Ask when payments fall due, whether a deposit is taken, and how each stage is charged. Ask what happens to money you've already paid if you pause, change the plan or decide to stop.

The NHS says implants are usually only available privately, with NHS treatment limited to a small number of cases. That's why the terms in your paperwork matter so much, so read them before you sign anything.

If you're wondering whether you might qualify for NHS treatment, our guide on getting dental implants on the NHS explains how it works.

What finance is available, and who provides it?

If you're thinking of paying monthly, ask who the lender is and whether the clinic offers finance directly or through a broker. Ask for the full amount you'd repay over the whole term, and whether you can pay it off early.

Compare that with any other options you find yourself. Our guide to dental implant finance covers how the main options work.

What to bring back if you've been quoted elsewhere

A written, itemised quote. A single total on its own is hard to check, but two itemised quotes side by side show up differences in what's included very quickly. If a clinic won't put the breakdown in writing, ask why.

Take the quote with you to any second opinion appointment, and ask the first clinic whether you can have copies of your records. If you want to understand why quotes vary so much, our post on why dental implants cost what they do explains the reasons. For typical costs, see our dental implant cost guide.

Use the same checklist on us

Safe Smile Implants connects patients with partner clinics, and treatment takes place at the clinic you're matched with. So ask these questions of us, and ask them again of the clinic where your treatment would happen. The clinicians in our network have 8,000+ cases and 40+ years of experience behind them, and you should still check the details yourself.

This article is general information and isn't a substitute for advice from a registered dental professional. Suitability for treatment and costs vary between patients, and only a clinician who has examined you can advise on what is right for you.