First thing I did was check reviews online—like, a LOT of them. Then I asked friends and coworkers if they'd had implants done (awkward but super helpful). Next, I made a short list and called each office to ask about the dentist’s experience, costs, and what kind of sedation they use (I’m a chicken with needles, lol). Finally, I booked consults to see who felt the most trustworthy. Is there a smarter way to do this? Anyone have shortcuts or stuff I missed?
You covered a lot more bases than I did when I started looking. One thing I wish I'd done differently: ask to see before-and-after photos of their actual implant patients, not just the generic ones they have on the website. Also, if you’re nervous about needles, some places let you do a “meet and greet” with the dental assistant or even tour the office first—it helped me feel less anxious. Did you check if your dentist does the whole process themselves, or sends you elsewhere for surgery? That surprised me my first time.
One thing I wish I'd done differently: ask to see before-and-after photos of their actual implant patients, not just the generic ones they have on the website.
That’s a good point about seeing real before-and-after pics. We actually did a quick tour first, and my kid felt way more at ease after meeting the staff. Did anyone else’s dentist offer sedation options for nervous patients? That made a big difference for us.
Did anyone else’s dentist offer sedation options for nervous patients? That made a big difference for us.
Yeah, sedation was offered for my kid too—honestly, it was a lifesaver. She’s always been super anxious at the dentist, so having that option took a ton of pressure off. I do wish we’d asked more about what types they used though... turns out “laughing gas” and the other stuff feel pretty different. Also, agree about meeting the staff first—my daughter got way less freaked out once she realized everyone there was actually friendly and not scary at all.
Sedation was actually a big deal for me, too, but I found the pricing and insurance coverage around it can get confusing. Some places quoted one price for “basic” sedation (like nitrous), but then tacked on extra fees if you wanted IV or oral meds. I had to double check what my insurance would cover—turns out, some policies see sedation as “optional” unless you’ve got a medical reason. Definitely worth pressing them for a line-item breakdown before you commit.
Also, about meeting the staff—I underestimated how much that would matter. One place I visited had a front desk person who acted like I was wasting their time with questions about costs and payment plans. That was enough for me to cross them off my list, honestly. If they’re cagey about money stuff up front, I just assume the rest of the process will be a headache.
One thing I wish I’d done earlier: ask directly about warranty or follow-up policies. Not every office guarantees their work, and implants aren’t cheap. It’s not fun to think about stuff going wrong, but better to know your options than get caught out later.
