The clinic that answers these without flinching is the one to use. The clinic that gets vague at question six is telling you something. Print this, or keep it on your phone, and work through it on the consultation call. It applies equally to your local practice and to a clinic abroad.
About the people
- Who places the implants, and what is their specialty and training?
- Who designs and fits the prosthetic? Is that the same person?
- How many full-arch (or single-implant) cases does the surgeon complete per month?
- Can I verify the surgeon's registration? (In Colombia: ReTHUS, rethus.gov.co. In the US: the state dental board.)
- Who administers sedation, and where?
About the plan
- Will you take a CBCT scan before finalising the plan and the price?
- Is grafting required, optional, or avoidable, and what changes if you find less bone during surgery?
- How many implants, and why that number for my bone?
- Is immediate loading planned, and what is the fallback if stability is not achieved?
- What is the plan for the teeth I still have: keep, crown, or extract, and why?
About the hardware
- Which implant brand and system? Will I receive the implant passport with lot numbers?
- What is the final crown or bridge made of, and what are the alternatives at different prices?
- Screw-retained or cemented? (Screw-retained is easier to service.)
- Where is the lab, and is the design digital?
- Is a night guard included?
About money
- Is this an itemised written plan, and what is not included?
- What is the price at four implants and at six?
- What are the payment stages and refund terms if the plan changes?
- Do you provide procedure codes for insurance or HSA claims?
About afterwards
- What is the warranty on the implants and on the prosthetic, and what are the conditions?
- How is a problem handled once I am home: remote review, partner dentist, return visit?
- What records will I leave with?
- How many trips, how long each, and how soon after surgery may I fly?
- What is the soft-diet period and the maintenance schedule?
- If I want a second opinion on your plan, will you share the scan and plan so I can get one?
If you only ask five: the surgeon's registration, the implant brand, whether the price follows the scan, the final bridge material, and how the warranty works from home.
Related: how a Colombia dental trip works and full-arch cost including the trip.
We ask every one of these on your behalf before introducing a Colombian clinic, and we verify the surgeon in ReTHUS. You should still ask them yourself. A good clinic enjoys the questions. See the vetted clinics at colombiadentist.co, full-mouth cases at fullmouthrestoration.co, or start at the network hub, colombiamedical.co.
Frequently asked
What is the single most important question?
Whether the price and plan follow a CBCT scan. A clinic that quotes a fixed package before imaging is selling a product, not planning your case.
How do I verify a dentist in Colombia?
Search the ReTHUS registry at rethus.gov.co by name or ID number. Every licensed dentist and specialist in Colombia appears there. Ask the clinic for the surgeon's full name and specialty.
Should I get a second opinion?
For full-arch or grafted cases, yes. Any clinic confident in its plan will share the scan and plan so another surgeon can review it.
All prices are typical 2026 ranges drawn from published US self-pay data and Colombian clinic price lists, not quotes. USD/COP moved from roughly 3,805 to 3,070 during 2026, so dollar figures for Colombia have risen versus older articles. Only a clinic that has reviewed your scan can give you a real number. This is educational content, not medical advice.
