Questions to ask before getting dental implants

Implants involve surgery and several months of healing, so it helps to ask questions first. The questions below draw on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). This page is not medical advice.

What the FDA says to discuss

The FDA says to discuss these points with your provider before the procedure.

What are the potential benefits and risks for me?
Am I a candidate for the procedure?
Which brand and model of implant system will be used? The FDA says to ask this and keep the record.

Ask about your health

The FDA says overall health is an important factor in whether you are a good candidate, how long healing takes and how long the implant may last. It links smoking to slower healing and reduced long-term success, and uncontrolled diabetes to a higher risk of infection.

MouthHealthy says chronic illnesses such as diabetes or leukemia may interfere with healing, and that a physician may evaluate you before surgery.

Ask about alternatives

In a statement about implant practices, the ADA told patients to expect a comprehensive exam before any treatment and a discussion of the full range of options. It lists restorations, crowns, bridges, implants and dentures, and says preserving healthy teeth should always be considered.

The ADA says to ask about options and alternatives, and to seek a second opinion if you are uncomfortable with a recommendation.

Ask about the timeline

MouthHealthy says some patients wait up to several months while bone heals around the implant, and others get the implant and replacement teeth in one visit. Ask which applies to you, whether you will have a temporary tooth, and how many visits to expect. The FDA says healing may take several months or longer, with a temporary abutment in place of the tooth.

Ask about cost

The AAP says implant costs vary between urban and rural areas and depend on the number of implants and the type of implant. It advises discussing the financial and time commitment with the periodontist and calling several offices to compare average costs.

The AAP lists possible help with costs: payment plans, insurance, state dental societies, and university dental school clinics that offer care at a reduced cost. The ADA advises talking about financing for complex procedures such as implants only after the treatment options have been discussed.

Ask who is involved and what comes after

The AAP recommends a team approach, with a general dentist and a periodontist both involved in planning. It says periodontists complete an additional two to three years of specialized training after dental school. Ask who places the implant and who makes the crown.

Ask what happens if something goes wrong. The FDA lists numbness, a loose abutment screw and implant body failure among the risks, so find out who you should call and what follow-up visits are planned. Keep the implant brand and model with your records, as the FDA advises.

Ask for the aftercare plan in writing. The FDA says regular cleaning of the implant and surrounding teeth is very important for long-term success, and that you should report a loose or painful implant right away.

Also on this site: Dental implants explained · all dental implant providers by state.

Sources

Read on November 9, 2026. Rules and advice change. If something here is out of date, the contact page is at the bottom.