Dental implants are the most reliable tooth replacement option available, with success rates between 95 and 98 percent over 5 to 10 years according to peer-reviewed studies in the National Library of Medicine. Nearly 3 million Americans have implants today, and 96 percent report satisfaction with their results. At Dentique Dental Care in Downers Grove and Lemont, Illinois, the full cost including implant, abutment, and crown is $6,000 with no add-on fees.
Most patients go into their first implant consultation with zero questions written down. After the appointment, many say the same thing: I wish I had asked more questions before I came in. This list exists so that does not happen to you. Here are 10 questions to ask before getting dental implants, so you walk into your consultation confident, not overwhelmed.
[umbered list of all 10 question titles | placed below intro paragraph | enables jump to specific question]
| Jump to Any Question: |
| 1. Am I Actually a Good Candidate for Dental Implants? |
| 2. What Does the Full Cost Include (and What Gets Added Later)? |
| 3. How Long Does the Entire Implant Process Take? |
| 4. What Is the Success Rate for Dental Implants? |
| 5. How Much Pain Is Involved, and What Does Recovery Look Like? |
| 6. What Happens at the Implant Consultation? |
| 7. Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Dental Implants? |
| 8. What Are My Alternatives If I Am Not a Good Candidate? |
| 9. What Conditions or Habits Could Disqualify Me? |
| 10. What Should I Bring to My First Implant Consultation? |
1. Am I Actually a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
This is the right first question, and it deserves a direct answer. Good candidates for dental implants have sufficient jawbone density to support the implant post, healthy gums free of active periodontal disease, and no uncontrolled systemic conditions. Non-smokers and patients with well-managed health show the highest long-term success rates, which connects directly to the dental implant candidacy questions you should bring to your first visit.
If your bone density is borderline, you may still qualify. A bone graft can rebuild the jawbone before implant placement, making candidates out of patients who would otherwise not qualify. At Dentique, Dr. Shuaipaj uses 3D cone beam CT scanning at the consultation to measure bone density precisely. No guesswork, no estimates. You will know your candidacy status on the same visit.
2. What Does the Full Cost Include (and What Gets Added Later)?
This is where sticker shock comes from, and it almost always traces back to one industry practice: many dental offices advertise only the implant post, which ranges from $1,500 to $3,000, and then bill the abutment (the connector piece) and the crown (the visible tooth) as separate line items. Those additions can push the total to $4,500 or more, well above what was quoted initially.
The national average for a complete single dental implant, with all three components, ranges from $3,000 to $6,000. At Dentique, the price is $6,000 and that is the complete number. Implant post, abutment, and custom crown are all included. No surprise lab fees. No add-on charges after the fact.
| What Dentique’s $6,000 Includes:Implant post (the titanium fixture placed in the jawbone)Abutment (the connector between post and crown)Custom porcelain crown (the visible tooth)No add-on fees. No hidden charges. |
If the out-of-pocket portion needs to be spread over time, a payment plan available through CareCredit or Dentique’s in-house financing options makes the investment manageable on a monthly basis.
3. How Long Does the Entire Implant Process Take?
Most single implant cases take four to seven months from consultation to final crown. The process breaks down into four stages: the consultation and 3D imaging visit (one appointment), the implant placement surgery (one surgical visit), the healing and osseointegration period (three to six months, the time your jawbone needs to fuse with the titanium post), and the final crown placement (one appointment after healing confirms). That last stage is when you leave with a fully functional, permanent tooth.
You may have seen advertising for same-day implants or teeth in a day. That technology exists for specific cases, particularly full-arch replacements like All-on-4. For most single implant patients, rushing osseointegration is not an option. The waiting period is not a flaw in the process. It is what makes implants so durable. Ask about the implant consultation what to expect at each stage so you can plan your schedule accordingly.
4. What Is the Success Rate for Dental Implants?
Dental implants have one of the strongest track records of any elective dental procedure. The commonly cited figure, 95 to 98 percent success over 5 to 10 years, reflects results across general practice settings globally. A more recent picture comes from a 2025 study: a peer-reviewed implant study published in PMC tracked 161 implants over five years and found an overall survival rate of 92.5 percent. Non-smokers and patients without systemic conditions like uncontrolled diabetes showed significantly higher success rates. These findings reinforce the importance of candidacy screening before implant placement, which is why Dentique begins every implant consultation with a full health history and 3D imaging review.
Additional long-term data from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry confirms 95 percent survival rates across clinical settings, with proper patient selection as the primary variable. The takeaway: implants work well for the right candidates. The consultation is the step that establishes whether you are one of them.
5. How Much Pain Is Involved, and What Does Recovery Look Like?
The honest answer is that the anticipation tends to be worse than the procedure. During implant placement, local anesthesia eliminates pain entirely. Most patients report feeling pressure but nothing sharp. The discomfort that follows is real but manageable: most discomfort from implant placement occurs in the 48 to 72 hours after surgery, not during the procedure itself. Over-the-counter pain relievers and a soft-food diet for the first few days are the standard recovery routine.
For patients with dental anxiety, Dr. Shuaipaj offers sedation for implant procedures using nitrous oxide or oral sedation, so even patients who have avoided the dentist for years can complete the procedure comfortably. Most patients who go this route say afterwards that the whole experience was worth every penny, and that they only wish they had addressed it sooner.
Practical post-op tips to ask about at your consultation: soft foods (yogurt, eggs, smoothies, mashed avocado) for the first few days, avoiding smoking and alcohol for at least 48 hours after surgery, and following any antibiotic instructions to protect the implant site during early healing.
6. What Happens at the Implant Consultation?
A lot more than most patients expect. The implant consultation is not a sales meeting. It is a diagnostic appointment. At Dentique, the visit includes a full health history review, a 3D cone beam CT scan to assess bone density and identify any anatomical factors, a discussion of your options (single implant, All-on-4, implant-supported dentures), a transparent presentation of all-in pricing, and a timeline walkthrough for your specific case.
You will leave the consultation with a clear treatment plan, a real price quote, and answers to every question on this list. There is no pressure to commit that day. Dentique offers dental implants in Downers Grove with that same no-pressure, information-first approach at every visit.
| What Dentique’s Implant Consultation Includes: 1. Full health history and medication review 2. 3D cone beam CT scan for bone density assessment 3. Discussion of single implant, All-on-4, and implant-supported denture options 4. Transparent all-in pricing presented at the visit 5. Timeline for your specific case, from placement through crown delivery |
7. Does Dental Insurance Cover the Cost of Dental Implants?
Most dental insurance plans partially cover implants, but the coverage is limited and specific. The most common structure: the crown portion (the visible tooth) is covered as a major restorative procedure, typically at 50 percent coinsurance, subject to your plan’s annual maximum. The implant post itself is frequently classified as a surgical procedure and may be covered at a lower rate or excluded entirely depending on your plan.
In practical terms, insurance typically contributes $500 to $1,500 toward a $6,000 procedure. That is useful but not a reason to delay asking. Some plans have waiting periods for major procedures, so checking early matters. The honest framing: insurance helps at the margins, and a payment plan available through CareCredit or Dentique’s financing handles the remainder in manageable monthly amounts.
See the full dental implant details, including our $6,000 all-in pricing breakdown, to understand exactly what is included before you talk to your insurer.
8. What Are My Alternatives If I Am Not a Good Candidate?
Not qualifying on the first evaluation does not mean implants are permanently off the table. The most common path forward is bone grafting. A bone graft rebuilds jawbone density in areas that have deteriorated, and most patients become full candidates within four to six months after the graft heals. The timeline gets longer, but the outcome is the same permanent tooth.
If full arch replacement is needed and immediate solutions are preferable, All-on-4 implants use angled placement to work with less bone than traditional implants require. For patients where implants are genuinely not possible, traditional dentures at approximately $2,800 per arch remain a functional option. The framing to hold onto: not being an immediate candidate is usually a timeline issue, not a permanent disqualification.
Ask about dental implants in Lemont if you are in the southwest suburbs and want to explore which option makes sense for your specific bone profile and timeline.
9. What Conditions or Habits Could Disqualify Me?
Active smoking is the most significant modifiable risk factor. A 2025 five-year PMC study confirmed that non-smokers had statistically higher implant survival rates, with smoking reaching significance at p=0.04. If you smoke, quitting before and after implant placement meaningfully improves your odds.
Other conditions that affect candidacy: uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes (well-controlled diabetes is generally manageable), Vitamin D deficiency (which affects bone healing), bisphosphonate medications used for osteoporosis, immunosuppressants, and active gum disease or infection at the implant site. Insufficient bone without a grafting plan is a structural disqualifier, though not a permanent one.
What not to do before surgery: do not smoke, do not drink alcohol for 48 hours before the procedure, and do not skip any pre-operative instructions provided at the consultation. The longer certain addressable conditions go unmanaged, the narrower the candidacy window becomes. If any of these apply to you, the consultation is exactly where to bring them up. Most disqualifiers are addressable with the right preparation.
10. What Should I Bring to My First Implant Consultation?
You do not need to arrive with anything except yourself. But bringing a few items speeds up the evaluation and helps Dr. Shuaipaj give you the most accurate treatment plan and real price quote on the same visit.
| Consultation Prep Checklist: ☐ This list of questions (you have done the prep work) ☐ Current dental X-rays if you have recent ones (Dentique can take new ones if not) ☐ A list of your current medications, including any supplements ☐ Your dental insurance card and plan information ☐ Notes on any systemic health conditions relevant to bone health or healing |
A Note from Dr. Shuaipaj: What Most Patients Wish They Had Asked
In my experience placing implants for patients across Downers Grove and Lemont, the question I hear most after the fact is: what implant brand and system are you using? Most patients assume all implants are equivalent. They are not. Implant systems differ in thread design, surface coating, and long-term osseointegration data. At Dentique, we use established, peer-validated implant systems, and I am glad to name the specific system and show you the clinical data at your consultation. You should ask every provider this question.
The second question I rarely hear but always wish patients would ask: who do I call if something feels wrong after hours? Post-op support matters. At Dentique, you have a direct line back to our team, not a generic voicemail. That continuity of care is part of what makes the process feel manageable rather than stressful.
One more practical note: ask about post-operative maintenance at the consultation. Implants do not get cavities, but the gum tissue around them needs regular care. Knowing the long-term hygiene routine before you start sets expectations correctly and protects your investment for decades.
| Dr. Xhelo Shuaipaj, DMD General and Sedation Dentist | Certified in Implant Placement and RestorationDentique Dental Care | Downers Grove and Lemont, Illinois |
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
What questions should I ask before getting dental implants?
The 10 questions on this page cover the essential ground: candidacy criteria, full cost breakdown, timeline, success rates, pain and recovery, what the consultation includes, insurance coverage, alternatives if you do not qualify, disqualifying conditions, and what to bring to your first appointment. Print or save this list before your visit.
How do I know if I am a candidate for implants?
Candidacy depends on three primary factors: sufficient jawbone density at the implant site, healthy gums free of active infection, and no uncontrolled systemic conditions that would impair healing. The definitive assessment is a 3D cone beam CT scan, which measures bone volume precisely. Borderline bone density does not automatically disqualify you. A bone graft can restore the bone needed for implant placement, typically adding four to six months to the overall timeline.
Does dental insurance cover the cost of dental implants?
Most plans cover part of the crown restoration at 50 percent coinsurance, subject to the plan’s annual maximum (typically $1,500 to $2,000). The implant post may be excluded or covered at a lower rate depending on the plan. Net contribution from insurance usually ranges from $500 to $1,500. Check your insurance coverage details before your consultation, and ask Dentique about CareCredit and in-house financing for the remaining balance.
What should you not do before dental implant surgery?
Do not smoke in the days leading up to surgery. Do not drink alcohol for at least 48 hours before the procedure. Do not skip prescribed pre-operative antibiotics if they are part of your protocol. Do not take blood-thinning supplements (fish oil, vitamin E in high doses, aspirin unless medically required) without discussing with Dr. Shuaipaj first. Following pre-op instructions precisely is one of the most direct ways to improve your implant outcome.
Ready to Ask These Questions in Person?
You have done the preparation work. These 10 questions before dental implants are exactly what Dr. Shuaipaj and the Dentique team expect, and answer, at every first consultation. You will leave with a clear treatment plan, a real $6,000 all-in price, and a timeline built around your specific case. No pressure to commit that day. Just a conversation.
