Dental implants are a significant investment – $4,000–$6,500 for a single tooth, $24,000+ for a full arch. The difference between a good outcome and a bad one often comes down to who places the implant, not which implant is placed. Choosing the right provider is arguably the most important decision in the entire process.
This guide covers exactly what to look for, what to ask, and what red flags to watch for – written by Dr. Rushabh Doshi, who has placed 3,000+ implants and knows what separates excellent implant dentistry from adequate implant dentistry. Yes, this guide will naturally reflect well on our practice. But the criteria are universal – use them to evaluate us and everyone else you’re considering.
The 8 things that actually matter
1. Training beyond dental school
Any licensed dentist can legally place dental implants. That doesn’t mean every dentist should.
Dental school teaches the basics of implant dentistry – enough to understand the concept, not enough to handle the full range of cases. What separates an implant specialist from a general dentist who “also does implants” is post-doctoral training specifically focused on implant placement, bone grafting, and prosthetic design.
What to look for:
- Fellowship or residency in implant dentistry – post-doctoral programs through organizations like AAID (American Academy of Implant Dentistry), ICOI (International Congress of Oral Implantologists), or university-based programs
- Oral surgery or periodontics residency – 3–6 year post-doctoral programs that include extensive implant training
- Prosthodontics residency – specializes in the restoration (crown/bridge) side of implant dentistry
What to be cautious about:
- “Continuing education courses” in implant dentistry are not the same as fellowships. A weekend course doesn’t equal years of focused training.
- Certifications from unfamiliar organizations may not carry weight. The ADA, AAID, ICOI, and AGD are the credentialing bodies that matter in the U.S.
Dr. Doshi’s credentials: Boston University DMD with honors, fellowship-trained in implantology, member of ADA, AAID, ICOI, and AGD.
2. Case volume (how many implants they’ve placed)
Experience matters enormously in implant dentistry. Complications that stump a dentist who places 20 implants per year are routine for a surgeon who places 200+.
What to look for:
- Ask directly: “How many dental implants have you personally placed?” Not the practice – the specific dentist who will be placing yours.
- For All-on-X cases, ask: “How many full-arch cases have you completed?” All-on-X is significantly more complex than single implants, and a surgeon who’s excellent at singles may have limited full-arch experience.
- 500+ implants placed is generally the threshold where a surgeon has encountered and resolved most common complications. 1,000+ is where you’re in experienced-specialist territory.
Dr. Doshi’s volume: 3,000+ dental implants placed, 100+ full-mouth cases per year.
3. Technology in the office
Modern implant dentistry relies on specific technology that directly affects outcomes:
3D cone-beam CT scanning – non-negotiable. A 2D panoramic X-ray doesn’t show bone width, bone density at specific sites, or the precise position of the sinus and nerve. If a practice plans your implant from a 2D X-ray alone, that’s a red flag. The 3D scan is what makes precise, safe placement possible.
Digital impression scanning – replaces traditional putty impressions for crowns and bridges. More accurate, more comfortable, faster lab turnaround.
Guided surgery – 3D-printed surgical guides that template the exact position, angle, and depth of each implant before the surgery begins. This reduces operative time, minimizes tissue trauma, and improves accuracy.
In-house or preferred dental lab relationship – the quality of the crown or bridge depends on the lab that fabricates it. Ask who makes the restorations and whether the practice has a long-standing relationship with a specific lab.
Not every practice needs every piece of technology. But 3D scanning is baseline – if they don’t have it, keep looking.
4. Documented success rate
A reputable implant provider should be willing to share their documented success rate and explain how they measure it.
What to look for:
- A specific number: “Our success rate is 97%” is meaningful. “We have a very high success rate” is not.
- Clarity on what “success” means: successful osseointegration (the implant stays in the bone) is the standard definition. Some practices also track prosthetic success (the crown/bridge lasting without complications).
- Willingness to discuss failures: every implant practice has failures. A provider who claims 100% success is either very new (small sample size) or not being honest. The question isn’t whether failures happen – it’s how they handle them.
Dr. Doshi’s documented rate: 97% across 3,000+ implants. Failures are addressed under warranty – if an implant fails within the warranty period, the replacement fixture is provided at no additional cost.
5. What’s included in the quoted price
This is where the most confusion – and the most frustration – happens. Two practices can quote prices that look $2,000 apart but actually cost the same once you itemize everything.
Ask for a written, itemized treatment plan that specifies:
- Implant fixture (brand and model)
- Abutment
- Crown or bridge (material specified)
- 3D imaging / CT scan
- Surgical guide (if used)
- Anesthesia/sedation
- Extractions (if needed)
- Bone grafting (if needed)
- Temporary restoration during healing
- All follow-up visits
- Warranty terms
A quote that says “dental implant: $1,800” without specifying what’s included will almost certainly reach $4,000–$3,000 by the time everything is added. The lowest advertised price is rarely the lowest actual cost.
SmileOn’s approach: $4,000–$6,500 for a complete single implant (fixture + abutment + zirconia crown + imaging + all follow-ups). $24,000 per arch for All-on-X (including temporary bridge and final zirconia bridge). Itemized in writing at the consultation.
6. Before-and-after photos of their own work
Stock photos from implant manufacturers don’t count. You want to see cases that this specific dentist has completed.
What to look for:
- Multiple cases showing different types of treatment (single implants, bridges, All-on-X)
- Photos that show the starting condition, the treatment process, and the final result
- Cases that look similar to yours (age range, number of teeth involved, bone condition)
- Willingness to show you cases during the consultation
Red flag: A practice that can’t show you any before-and-after photos of their own implant work. Either they haven’t done many cases, or they aren’t tracking outcomes.
7. Patient reviews – and what to look for in them
Google reviews are the most accessible indicator of patient experience. But how you read them matters more than the star rating.
Look for reviews that mention:
- The specific procedure (implant, All-on-X, bone graft) – not just “great cleaning”
- The dentist by name
- Specific details about the experience (comfort during the procedure, recovery, how questions were handled)
- Long-term follow-up (“I got my implant 3 years ago and it’s still perfect”)
Be cautious about:
- Practices with hundreds of 5-star reviews but no mention of implants specifically – they may be a high-volume general practice where implants are a sideline
- Reviews that sound templated or identical in structure
- A practice with a high star rating but no response to negative reviews – how they handle criticism reveals their accountability
Irving Family Dental (one of SmileOn’s three locations) has ~760+ Google reviews at 4.8 stars. Look for the implant-specific reviews for the most relevant signal.
8. How the consultation feels
The consultation is your interview of the dentist, not the other way around. Pay attention to:
Good signs:
- The dentist spends time with you personally (not just a coordinator)
- Your questions are answered thoroughly, without rushing
- The 3D scan is shown to you and explained in terms you understand
- Multiple treatment options are presented with honest trade-offs (not just the most expensive one)
- You’re told when you’re not a candidate for something
- You leave with a written plan and feel no pressure to schedule that day
Red flags:
- High-pressure sales tactics (“this price is only good today”)
- The dentist doesn’t do the consultation (only a treatment coordinator)
- No 3D scan is taken
- Only one treatment option is presented with no alternatives discussed
- You’re asked for a deposit before you’ve had time to think
- Questions about credentials, case volume, or success rate are deflected
A consultation should feel like an educational conversation with a knowledgeable professional, not a sales pitch.
Questions to bring to every consultation
Print this list or save it on your phone. Ask these at every implant consultation you attend:
- How many dental implants have you personally placed?
- What is your documented success rate?
- What post-doctoral training do you have specifically in implant dentistry?
- What implant brand do you use, and why?
- Can I see before-and-after photos of your own cases?
- Can you give me a written, itemized treatment plan today?
- What’s included in your quoted price, and what’s separate?
- What happens if the implant fails – what’s your warranty?
- Do you use 3D cone-beam CT scanning for planning?
- Will you be the one placing my implant, or will someone else?
- How long have you been doing implants specifically?
- Do you do the restoration (crown/bridge) in-house, or do I go elsewhere for that?
A good provider will welcome these questions. A provider who gets defensive is telling you something.
The difference between provider types
In DFW, you’ll encounter several types of providers offering implants. Here’s how they compare:
General dentist who places implants
Training: dental school + continuing education courses (typically 1–5 day workshops). Volume: varies widely – some place 10 per year, some place 100+. Best for: straightforward single-implant cases in patients with good bone. Caution: may refer complex cases (All-on-X, significant grafting, zygomatic implants) to a specialist.
Oral surgeon
Training: 4–6-year residency after dental school focused on surgery. Volume: typically high. Best for: the surgical placement of the implant. Caution: often doesn’t do the restoration (crown/bridge) – you may need a separate provider for that, which splits accountability.
Periodontist
Training: 3-year residency focused on gum and bone health. Volume: typically moderate to high for implants. Best for: patients with gum disease history who need both periodontal treatment and implants. Caution: same as oral surgeon – may refer the restoration to another provider.
Prosthodontist
Training: 3-year residency focused on restorations (crowns, bridges, dentures). Volume: varies. Best for: complex prosthetic cases, aesthetic-critical implant restorations. Caution: may not do the surgical placement – you may need a surgeon for that step.
Fellowship-trained implantologist
Training: dental school + fellowship specifically in implant dentistry (typically 1–3 years of focused training). Volume: typically high because implants are their primary focus. Best for: patients who want one provider to handle the entire case from surgery through final restoration. This is the model SmileOn follows – Dr. Doshi places the implant, designs the restoration, and delivers the final crown or bridge. One provider, one accountability chain.
A note about corporate dental chains vs independent practices
DFW has both large corporate implant practices (ClearChoice, Affordable Dentures & Implants, Aspen Dental) and independent practices. Neither is categorically better – the decision should be based on the specific provider, not the brand name.
Corporate chains offer standardized processes, national marketing, and sometimes bundled pricing. The trade-off: you may see a different dentist at each visit, the surgeon may not be the one who designed your treatment plan, and the treatment protocol may be less flexible.
Independent practices offer continuity (the same dentist from consultation through final crown), flexibility in treatment planning, and often more personalized care. The trade-off: you need to evaluate credentials yourself (the brand name doesn’t do it for you), and availability may be more limited.
The question to ask in both cases: “Will the same dentist who plans my case be the one who places my implants and delivers my final restoration?” If the answer is no, understand who does what and how accountability is maintained.
Frequently asked questions
Should I get multiple consultations before choosing?
Yes – at least two. Hearing different perspectives on the same mouth helps you understand your options and builds confidence in whichever provider you choose. Most implant practices (including SmileOn) offer free consultations specifically for this reason.
Is a specialist always better than a general dentist for implants?
Not always. A general dentist with 10+ years of implant experience and 1,000+ placements may deliver better outcomes than a recently trained specialist with 50 cases. Volume and track record matter more than title alone. The credentials matter most for complex cases – All-on-X, significant bone loss, zygomatic implants – where fellowship-level training provides capabilities general dentists typically don’t have.
How do I verify a dentist’s credentials?
The ADA, AAID, and ICOI all have member directories you can search online. State dental board websites list active licenses and any disciplinary actions. Ask the practice to show you the specific certificates – reputable providers will have them displayed or readily available.
What if I’ve already started treatment elsewhere and I’m not happy?
Second opinions are always appropriate, even mid-treatment. An existing implant placed by another provider can often be restored (crown/bridge attached) at a different practice if you prefer to switch. If the implant itself was placed incorrectly, the second provider can evaluate whether it’s salvageable or needs to be replaced.
Does the implant brand really matter?
Yes, particularly for long-term outcomes. Premium brands (Nobel Biocare, Straumann, Zimmer Biomet) have decades of published clinical data, global parts availability (if you move or travel), and precisely engineered surfaces designed for optimal bone integration. Generic or off-brand implants may cost less but have limited long-term data and replacement parts may be harder to source in the future.
How important is it that one dentist does both the surgery and the crown?
Very important for accountability and outcome quality. When one provider places the implant and a different one designs the crown, miscommunication about implant position, angle, and prosthetic plan is common. A single provider managing the entire case – surgery through final restoration – eliminates that gap.
Why patients choose SmileOn
This guide is designed to help you evaluate any provider – including us. Here’s how SmileOn measures against the criteria above:
- Training: Dr. Doshi – Boston University DMD with honors, fellowship-trained in implantology
- Volume: 3,000+ implants, 100+ full-mouth cases per year
- Technology: 3D cone-beam CT at all three locations, digital scanning, guided surgery capability
- Success rate: 97% documented
- Pricing: itemized in writing, all-inclusive quotes ($4,000–$6,500 single; $24,000 All-on-X per arch)
- One-provider model: Dr. Doshi plans, places, and restores – one chain of accountability
- Three DFW locations: Mansfield, Arlington, Irving – same care, same pricing, same surgeon
- Warranty: surgical placement warranted; replacement at no additional fixture cost within warranty period
- Reviews: 760+ Google reviews at 4.8★ at Irving Family Dental; established review history across all three locations
- Financing: four providers, $0 down, from $299/month, 5-minute approval
The consultation is free, takes 45–60 minutes, and includes the 3D scan, exam, treatment plan, itemized cost quote, and financing pre-qualification. No obligation.
Call (682) 563-5663 or schedule online.
Consultation is complimentary for new patients. Treatment plan recommendations require diagnostic evaluation including imaging. Not applicable to patients with active untreated periodontal disease. Cannot be combined with insurance. Subject to clinical eligibility.