Which Implant Dentist?
You'll find plenty of clinics calling themselves the best for implants. Rather than ask you to take anyone's word for it, including mine, here are the questions I'd want answered if I were the patient, with our own answers as a worked example.
How Do I Choose the Best Dental Implant Clinic in Edinburgh?
There is no official ranking of implant clinics in Edinburgh, so the best one for you is the one that answers a few key questions clearly: how many implants the dentist places, how treatment is planned, which implant system is used, what the guarantee covers and what the total fee is in writing. At Comely Bank Dental the implant consultation is free, so you can put these questions to us directly and compare our answers with any other practice.
Is There a 'Best' Dental Implant Clinic in Edinburgh?
Not in any official sense. There is no independent league table of implant clinics, and awards and star ratings measure different things. The most reliable way to choose is to ask each practice the same set of questions and compare the answers, along with how clearly and patiently they are given.
The twelve questions below cover what matters most for a safe, lasting result. Under each, I've given our answers at Comely Bank Dental as a worked example. Use them as a benchmark, not as a sales pitch: a good practice anywhere in Edinburgh should be able to answer every one.
One point on wording. Some dental titles in the UK are protected by the General Dental Council, and there is no separate GDC register for implant dentistry. Experienced implant dentists therefore usually describe a special interest in implants, which is the term we use.
Questions 1 to 3: Experience and Training
1. How many implants have you placed, and over how long? Volume isn't everything, but regular practice builds judgement, particularly for less straightforward cases. Ask about numbers and years, and how they were counted.
Our answer: Dr Davinder Kalsi, who leads implant treatment at the practice, has placed over 2,000 implants over more than ten years, with a success rate above 99% (from our practice records).
2. What implant training do you have? Look for structured postgraduate training rather than a weekend course alone.
Our answer: Dr Kalsi holds an MSc in Dental Implants, alongside his dental degree (BDS, Aberdeen) and an engineering degree (BEng).
3. Will you be the person carrying out my treatment? Some practices assess you with one clinician and treat you with another. Neither approach is wrong, but you should know who you will see on the day.
Our answer: Implant treatment at the practice is led by Dr Kalsi, and you'll know at your consultation exactly who will be treating you.
Ask Us the 12 Questions
Bring this list to a free implant consultation. We'll answer every question, show you your scan and give you a written plan to take away and compare.
Questions 4 and 5: Scanning and Planning
4. Do you take a 3D CT scan, and is it done on site? A cone beam CT scan shows the height and width of your bone and the position of nerves and sinuses, which a flat X-ray cannot. Having the scanner on site means fewer trips and quicker answers.
Our answer: Yes. We have a 3D cone beam CT scanner at the practice. A scan is £160 when it is needed. Read more about our technology.
5. Is the implant placed freehand or with a surgical guide? In guided surgery, the implant's position is planned on the scan and a 3D-printed guide transfers that plan to your mouth. It helps the implant go where it was planned.
Our answer: We use the MegaGen R2 guided surgery system. Each implant is planned on your CT scan and placed through a guide made for you.
Questions 6 and 7: The Implant and the Crown
6. Which implant system do you use, and what is its track record? The implant is a precision component that should last for decades. An established system with a long track record in research and wide availability of parts means that, if a screw or component ever needs replacing, the parts can be sourced, possibly by another dentist years from now.
Our answer: We use MegaGen AnyRidge implants. Ask any practice to name its system; a vague answer is a reason to ask more.
7. Who designs and fits the crown? The crown is the part you see and chew with. Ask whether it will be screw-retained, which can be removed for maintenance, or cemented, and who will fit it.
Our answer: The crown is planned at the same time as the implant, since its final position guides where the implant goes, and is fitted at the practice once the implant has healed.
Questions 8 to 10: Guarantee, Aftercare, Complications
8. What does your guarantee cover, and on what conditions? Most implant guarantees depend on you attending regular dental examinations and hygiene visits and on not smoking. Ask what is covered (the implant, the crown or both), for how long, and what would void it.
Our answer: We go through what is covered, and the conditions that apply, at consultation and before you commit to anything.
9. What aftercare is included after surgery? Ask how many review visits are included and how you can reach the practice if you have a concern in the days after treatment.
Our answer: You'll have planned reviews after surgery, and you can call the practice on 0131 332 3971 during opening hours. Our aftercare page explains what to expect.
10. What happens if something goes wrong? Complications are uncommon but possible: an implant that doesn't bond with the bone, infection around an implant, or a loose crown. A confident clinician will explain the risks plainly and tell you how each would be managed.
Our answer: We talk through the risks that apply to you at consultation and explain how each would be managed if it happened.
Questions 11 and 12: Fees and Comfort
11. Is the fee fixed and in writing, and what exactly does it include? Ask for the total for a finished tooth, from scan to fitted crown, with any possible extras such as a bone graft shown separately.
Our answer: Every fee is confirmed in a written treatment plan before treatment starts. A single implant is £1,800 to place and £2,900 with its crown.
12. Do you offer sedation if I'm anxious? Most people manage implant surgery comfortably with local anaesthetic, but if you are nervous, ask whether IV sedation is available and who provides it.
Our answer: Yes. IV sedation is available at the practice for implant treatment.
Should You Get a Second Opinion?
If you're unsure about a recommendation, a second opinion is a normal, sensible step, and no good clinician should mind. It is particularly worth it for larger treatment such as a full arch, if you have been told you need extensive bone grafting, or if a previous implant has had problems.
Bring any scans, X-rays and written plans you already have. We offer second opinions at our Comely Bank practice and will tell you honestly if we agree with the plan you've been given.
What Are the Warning Signs When Choosing?
Be cautious if you notice any of the following:
- Pressure to book or pay a deposit on the day.
- No 3D scan before an implant is placed.
- A price that covers only the implant, with the crown and scan to be "discussed later".
- No mention of risks, alternatives or who isn't suitable.
- Reluctance to name the implant system or the clinician.
- Before and after photos with no explanation of what was done or how long ago.
Equally, a clinic that takes time to explain, puts everything in writing and is happy for you to go away and think is usually a good sign.
Questions
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. A dentist needs to examine you to say what is right for your teeth.