14 Best Dental Implant Courses
This has to be one of the most common questions we get: What is the best implant course??
And we get it. We weren’t taught implants in dental school, the courses are expensive, and if you don’t don’t learn how to do it right, things can sideways quickly. Not a good situation for you or your patients.
On the flip side, getting the right training you can avoid that stress and save yourself a lot of time and money. Many dentists find placing implants to be the most rewarding procedure in their practice (financially and otherwise).
So what course should you take? With so many courses available these days the answer is not so obvious. We’ve seen many dentist take the wrong course and never place an implant after or are forced to open their wallets again and take additional courses.
We don’t want that happening to you. That’s why we’ve spent countless hours reading every comment mentioning an implant courses in dental Facebook groups, calling implant course providers and peppering them with questions, speaking to dentists and reading Course Karma reviews so you don’t have to. In the end this is really the resource I wanted to have when deciding which implant course to take.
We’ve broken down the courses into 3 sections:
Or you can skip the essay and download:
Please note, as thorough as we aim to be, please speak to the course provider to confirm any details listed here or on course listings. Course details, pricing etc change over time and sometimes we just get something wrong.
This article and Course Karma is made possible by you, our users. We have partnered with some of the courses below allowing us to provide you some extra discounts. When you use our links or discount codes we may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. With that being said, this article is purely based on the results of our research. We only share courses that we trust, stake our reputation on and recommend to our friends and colleagues. Thank you for supporting our mission of helping dentist’s find the best CE!
Best Online Implant Courses
We are starting with online courses since they are available to everyone no matter where you live, from Utah to Indonesia these guys have you covered. The benefit of an online course is that you have access to detailed video and instruction that you can replay right before your patient comes in. Sometimes with in-person courses you feel like a hero right after you’ve taken the course but you draw a blank the morning you have to actually perform the treatment.
The downside of online courses: no hands-on or live patient experience. However some of these courses do have additional in-person courses available.
Awards: 2020 Top Course Provider: Implants
- Location: Online
- Price: $1,500 USD
- Live Patient Surgery: No, however additional hands-on course available
- Duration: At your own pace but can be completed in 2 days
- CE Credits: 10
- Implant System: Multiple systems taught
- Implant Restoration: Focus on surgery, additional course available for restoration
- More details: Procedures taught, post course support etc.
Implant Ninja’s Implant Surgery 101 is the most popular online implant course and is taught by Dr. Ivan Chicchon, a prosthodontist and educator. It provides an uncomplicated explanation to get started placing implants. They heavily focus on providing an exceptional experience to all dentists who enroll and have received amazing feedback for it.
The course is hosted on an easy to use platform that can be access from your laptop or phone (learn while on the can). Implant Ninja also provides plenty of helpful written guides, quizzes to test your knowledge and guest lecturers for specific topics. They also have additional courses available on All On X, GBR, Overdentures, and more
What we like:
- Lifetime access
- Lower price point
- Excellent reviews and feedback from participants
- Online course, take at your own pace. You can revisit videos at any time (even right before the procedure)
- High quality videos of live surgeries and on models (plastic not Vogue)
What we don’t like:
- No hands on practice, a downside to online courses in general. However an an additional in-person course is available
- Enrollment is not available year-round, opens quarterly (luckily they’ve opened up enrollment early for Course Karma users only)
- Location: Online
- Price:
1,950 Euros1,658 Euros - Live Patient Surgery: No
- Duration: 16 hours, at your own pace
- CE Credits: 16
- Implant System:
- Implant Restoration: Yes, surgery and restoration taught
- More details: Procedures taught etc.
Professor Tomas Linkevicius is a clinician, researcher and internationally recognized lecturer and best known for his of Zero Bone Loss Concepts textbook, a best seller. Prof Linevivius is highly regarded in the field of implantolgy and his claim to fame is crestal bone stability. “How to develop and maintain crestal bone stability?” (yes, that’s the name of his flagship course) is a summary of this textbook along with high quality video demonstration and instruction.
This course can also be access from your laptop and mobile phone. It is well organized with one topic leading into the next. Additional course available on immediate implants (ZBLC Immediate MasterClass)
What we like:
- Evidence based techniques taught by expert in the field
- More digestible format of ZBLC textbook
- Soft tissue instruction
- Enrollment available year round
- Online course, take at your own pace. You can revisit videos at any time (even right before the procedure)
- High quality videos of live surgeries and models
What we don’t like:
- 1 year access only
- Focus is not on beginners starting their implant journey but more-so crestal bone stability (pro or con depending on your experience)
- No hands-on practice, a downside to online courses in general
Best US Based Implant Courses
Here are the best US implant courses based on our research. Heads-up, some of these courses offer their live-patient program internationally. For those who provide live-patient within the US, they are usually only available to dentists with a US license and many times you will need to get a temporary licence for the state. If your Canadian or from anywhere other than US look for the programs with the live patient program outside US or you will enjoy playing dental assistant for the day.
We have included a column on “who can take this course” in our Best Implant Courses Spreadsheet to help you out.
- Location: Chicago, Nashville, Washington, Houston, Dallas and San Diego
- Live Patient (Session 4) is only held in Tempe, AZ
- Price: $18,500 USD for Sessions 1-4
- Live Patient Surgery: Yes
- Number of implants placed: Avg of 8
- Duration: 38 Hours Online and 5 days total in person
- CE Credits: 76 but soon to be 94
- Implant System: BioHorizons
- Implant Restoration: Yes, surgery and restoration taught
- More details: Instructor to participant ratio, procedures taught etc
Implant Pathways is definitely one of the most popular implant courses, in fact it is usually sold out one year in advance. The program was founded by Dr. Justin Moody. The general feedback for it is overwhelmingly positive with high praise for Dr. Moody and staff. It takes place entirely in the US.
The program is structured as a 4 part continuum. You can take it at your pace or take part in Fast Track and complete all 4 sessions in one week. Session 1 is online. Session 2 & 3 are in-person lectures and hands-on training with pig-jaws. Session 4 is live patient and is only available in Tempe, Arizona.
Taking all 4 sessions you will learn about extractions, grafting, ridge preservation, CBCT and guided surgery. Additional courses are available for advanced training, all on X, sinus surgery etc.
What we like:
- Very comprehensive program
- Instills confidence in participants, 94% go on to place implants
- Mix of online, hands on and live surgery
- Excellent reviews and feedback from participants
What we don’t like:
- Usually sold out one year advance
- Higher price point due to comprehensive nature and popularity of the program
- Lower amount of implants placed compared to some other implant programs
- Location:
- Continuum: Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago or New York.
- Virtual option available for lectures
- Live Patient: Phoenix or Miami
- Continuum: Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago or New York.
- Price: Continuum and Live Patient: $19,995 USD
- Live Patient Surgery: Yes
- Number of implants placed: Average of 7
- Duration: 8 days Continuum, 2 Days Live Patient
- CE Credits: 88
- Implant System: Universal internal hex system (similar to Implant Direct Legacy3)
- Implant Restoration: Yes, surgery and restoration taught
- More details: Post course support, instructor to participant ratio etc
Another very popular implant program praised repeatedly over Facebook groups and dental forums. Implant Seminars is founded and taught by Dr. Arun Garg who has been teaching implant dentistry for over 20 years. We’ve combined both the Implant Continuum and Live-Patient Program in our review since both go hand in hand. The Implant Continuum is a mix of lecture and hands-on where you will learn the principles of implant dentistry. The Live Patient program is, as the name suggests, your opportunity to place implants on patients.
Implant Seminars was best known for its Live Patient program which originally took place the Dominican Republic but has now moved to Phoenix and Miami. With this move the course is shorter however that does mean you place fewer implants than before.
Also new is there hybrid model for the Implant Continuum. You can attend the 3 didactic sessions via Zoom and fly out to Miami for the in-person Hands. Implant Seminars also has a Masters Series to learn more advanced procedures.
What we like:
- One of the most popular and well known implant programs
- Long history of implant education
- Positive feedback of Dr. Garg as an instructor over the years
- Comprehensive course
- Available in multiple cities
- Mix of online, hands on and live surgery
What we don’t like:
- Mixed reviews on didactic component
- Fewer implants placed since Live Patient Program was moved to US
- Zoom option for didactic is a great service but may provide subpar experience since it is a live stream of in-person lecture
Awards: 2021 Top Course Provider and Instructor: Implants, 2020 Top Instructor: Implants
- Location: Huntington Beach, CA (hands on) and Guadalajara, Mexico (live surgery)
- Price:
$11,995– $11,495 USD for Sessions 1-3 - Live Patient Surgery: Yes
- Number of implants placed: 8-20
- Duration: 4 days (not including online)
- CE Credits: 40
- Implant System: Nobel Biocare
- Implant Restoration: No, only surgery is taught
- More details: Price to bring assistant, class size etc.
It’s hard to ignore the amazing feedback we’ve seen for Restored Smiles and the founder, Dr. Jedediah Hus. From the reviews it is clear he goes over and above to make sure each participant has a great experience and is confident in implant dentistry by the end of the program. Not only that Dr. Huss and Restored Smiles program have won multiple Top Educator Awards. Session 1 is online (available for 1 year), Session 2 is hands on in California and Session 3 (live surgery) is in Mexico.
You will learn treatment planning, socket preservation, grafting and implant placement. Additional course in CGF/PRF available.
What we like:
- Excellent reviews and feedback from participants
- Smaller program allowing more direction by Dr. Huss
- Easy to get support after the course by Dr. Huss
- Mix of online, hands on and live surgery
What we don’t like:
- Limited locations
- Online portion only available for one year
- Implant restoration instruction is limited
- Location: Orlando, Florida or Dallas, Texas
- Price: $16,250 for Sessions 1-5 or $3,750 per session
- Live Patient Surgery: No, however additional course available
- Number of implants placed: N/A
- Duration: 10 days (2 days per session)
- CE Credits: 90
- Implant System: Hahn Implants – Glidewell
- Implant Restoration: Focus is on surgery, additional prosthetic course available
- More details: Procedures taught, post course support etc
Misch Resnik Implant Institute is well established as an implant education center for over 35 years. This review by docsheikh says it best: “Dr Resnik, who worked alongside Misch, is carrying the torch and continuing the tradition of providing quality education about implants. If you have placed an implant before or not, Dr Resnik and team take the time to make you comfortable as if treating an MOD composite.” Dr. Resnik has been teaching Misch principles for over 30 years and is the author of two leading textbooks used in universities worldwide to teach implantology.
This program is known for teaching current, literature-based curriculum made available in both eastern and western USA. Each course also has an elective treatment planning session where attendees can submit their own cases for Dr. Resnik to treatment plan live. One of the most common criticisms of the surgical program had previously been that there was no live-patient session however an additional live-patient course is now available.
What we like:
- Well established history of implant education with highly regarded faculty
- Comprehensive didactic and hands-on training including grafting, sinus surgery, CGF/PRF, full arch etc
- Literature based curriculum
- The primary lecturer for all sessions is Dr. Resnik who has great reviews
- These stats: “98% or our graduates are placing implants, 97% perform bone grafts, and 22.5% is the average yearly income increase in their practices.”
What we don’t like:
- Larger class size
- Intense didactic program (can be seen as pro or con)
- Live-patient and implant restoration not included in this program however additional courses are available
- Location: Multiple locations in the US, Canada and worldwide
- Price: Varies based on location, generally $15,000 to $20,000
- Live Patient Surgery: Varies
- Number of implants placed: Varies
- Duration: Varies
- CE Credits: 300
- Implant System: Varies
- Implant Restoration: Yes, surgery and restoration taught
- More details: Procedures taught, post course support etc
What we like:
- Focus on implant excellence
- Very comprehensive program
- Advanced procedures taught, in many ways the program is multiple courses in one
- Provides CE hours required for AAID Associate Fellow process
- Available worldwide
What we don’t like:
- Your experience may vary greatly based on location and instructors for that session
- May not the best choice for those starting out and only interested in simple implant dentistry with no interest in AAID credentialing
- Heavier focus on didactic
- Less of a continuum and may feel more like dental school where different lectures teach different topics in order to fulfil AAID requirements.
- More expensive and longer duration (can take 1 year to complete)
0 reviews
- Location: Wake Forest, North Carolina (near Raleigh, NC)
- Price: $14,995
- Live Patient Surgery: Yes
- Number of implants placed: 5-8
- Duration: 6 days
- CE Credits: 63
- Implant System: BioHorizons
- Implant Restoration: No, however restoration course coming soon
- More details: Instructor to participant ratio, procedures taught etc
What we like:
- Digital implant curriculum
- Improve dentists relationship with dentistry
- Networking with other dentists
- Learn how to communicate with patients
- Passionate instructors
What we don’t like:
- Digital aspect may not apply to you if you do not have the appropriate equipment
- Limited locations
- We’ve heard good feedback but no reviews available
0 reviews
- Location:
- Didactic: available in New Orleans, LA, Atlanta, GA and Birmingham, Alabama
- Live patient: Birmingham, Alabama
- Price: $12,150
- Live Patient Surgery: Yes
- Number of implants placed: 5-15
- Duration: 5- 6 days
- CE Credits: 44
- Implant System: BioHorizons
- Implant Restoration: No, however additional Prosthetic Program available
- More details: Instructor to participant ratio, procedures taught etc
Where else would you want to learn to place implants but sweet home Alabama? The lead instructor at AIE is Dr. Michael McCracken, a professor, prosthodontist, biomedical engineer, international lecturer and spy. Ok not a spy but definitely a neat guy with an impressive CV and highly regarded in the implant community.
The Live Dental Implant Training course provides 3 days of live-patient training where many other US based programs provide only 2. We’ve seen some great feedback in dental Facebook groups regarding this course. You have an option of completing the program in 3 sessions over 6 days or a 5 Day Bootcamp which consists of 2 sessions. AIE also offers a more advanced implant residency.
What we like:
- Highly regarded instructors with long history of teaching implant dentistry
- 3 days of live-patient training
- Didactic course offered 3 different locations
- Advanced courses available for those looking to take next step
- Option for in office implant training
What we don’t like:
- 3 participants to 1 instructor for live patient, other programs are generally 2:1
- We’ve heard good feedback but no reviews available
- Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
- Price: $4,995
- Live Patient Surgery: Yes
- Number of implants placed: 1
- Duration: 3 days
- CE Credits: 24
- Implant System: Straumann
- Implant Restoration: Covered but course is surgically focused
- More details: Instructor to participant ratio, procedures taught etc
While at first glance this may seem like a “weekend warrior” implant course but reviews and feedback for this course say otherwise. Dr. Engel is clearly doing something right in these three days. While you only place 1 implant during the live-patient portion there is a strong emphasis on being ready to place implants Monday morning. This course focuses on implant placement for straightforward cases however there are additional courses to learn more advanced procedures.
What we like:
- Great reviews and feedback on course and Dr. Engel as an instructor
- Lower price point
- Didactic course offered 3 different locations
- Advanced courses available for those looking to take next step
What we don’t like:
- Training limited to straightforward cases only
- Only 1 implant placed
- Limited didactic and hands-on experience compared to others
Best "Destination" Implant Courses
These are the courses you hear about from your colleague. They left home as a timid dentist and went south to somewhere with a nice beach. They return having place 172 implants and delivering a baby. Ok, maybe not exactly that but you get the drift. These courses allow dentists to gain confidence through experience. Depending on where the course is you can also extend your time to and make it a mini holiday.
Also since these courses are outside the US, they are available to dentists who don’t have an American dental license IE these courses are Canadian friendly.
- Location: Multiple locations : Brazil, Dominican Republic, Cambodia, Laos
- Price: $13,950
- Live Patient Surgery: Yes
- Number of implants placed: Minimum 30 guaranteed
- Duration: 5 days
- CE Credits: 60
- Implant System: Q- Implant
- Implant Restoration: No, only surgical placement taught
- More details: Instructor to participant ratio, procedures taught etc
Q- Implant Marathon is aptly named, in 5 days you have the opportunity to place a minimum of 30 implants. This course has really great reviews due to the volume of implants placed but also the quality of instructors. Many participants had the opportunity to do full mouth cases as well. However there is minimal didactic portion so we recommend taking another course to learn the principles of implant dentistry prior to attending. Higher levels are available for sinus lifting, bone splitting, soft tissue grafting as well. Many participants who attend Level 1 go on to take higher levels due to the positive experience they had.
What we like:
- High volume of implants placed instills confidence in participants
- Well established, running since 2003
- Excellent reviews and feedback from participants
- Variety of locations to attend and potentially pair with your own vacation
- Well organized, great accommodations and modern clinic
- Higher levels available if you are looking to perform advanced procedures down the line
- Q implant surgical starter kit and implants provided after course
What we don’t like:
- Limited didactic education
- No lead instructor (however positive reviews of instructors used)
- Close relationship with implant company (Q- Implant)
0 reviews
- Location: Mexico or Nicaragua
- Price: $16,000
- Live Patient Surgery: Yes
- Number of implants placed: 25 – 30 guaranteed
- Duration: 7 days
- CE Credits: 84
- Implant System:
- Implant Restoration: Yes, surgery and restoration taught
- More details: Instructor to participant ratio, procedures taught etc
Live Implant Training is taught Dr. Virgil Mongalo, DBD, DICOI, MAAIP, FICD. We won’t go into what those all stand for, all you need to know is Dr. Mongalo knows implants. Not only will you place 25-30 implants but you will learn PRF and have an opportunity to do full-arch surgeries. This training also fulfills requirements for ICOI and AAIP fellowship along with RCDSO requirements for Ontario dentists. The price also includes hotel stay, transportation and meals other than dinners. Unfortunately we do not have any reviews for this course but we have seen good feedback online
What we like:
- High volume of implants placed instills confidence in participants
- Fulfills requirements for ICOI and AAIP fellowship
- Two locations to attend and potentially pair with your own vacation
- Learn implant restoration as well
- Higher levels available if you are looking to perform advanced procedures down the line
- Ethel, the coordinator/receptionist, is an absolute gem 🙂
What we don’t like:
- No reviews available
- Higher price point
0 reviews
- Location: Puebla, Mexico
- Price: $12,995
- Live Patient Surgery: Yes
- Number of implants placed: 9-12
- Duration: 7 days
- CE Credits: 45
- Implant System: MegaGen
- Implant Restoration: No, however additional course available
- More details: Instructor to participant ratio, procedures taught etc
Wehrle Implant Immersion is not like other “destination” implant courses. When they say immersion they mean immersion. The training facility has a hotel and dining facilities so you can you eats sleep and breathe implants. After you’ve been placing implants for a day you will be corralled into the conference room to go over implant cases. The clinic is modern and equipped with CEREC, CBCT and more. Higher level courses are also available for when you are ready to take things to another level.
What we like:
- Completely focused on surgical implant education
- CBCT’s are take pre and post-op so implant placed during the day can be assessed every night
- Modern clinic facilities
- Higher levels available if you are looking to perform advanced procedures down the line
What we don’t like:
- Long days, limited social time and not on a resort
- Hotel in campus is modern but not as nice as a resort hotel
- No reviews available
- Implant restoration not taught
There you have it folks! We hope you found this guide helpful. We really took the time to make it as comprehensive as possible. It is our mission to help dentist’s find the best CE so they may provide the best care for their patients.
We list number of implants you will get to place in this article since that is something we all want to know. However it is harder to quantify the quality of the didactic education. This is where we turn to reviews. You must learn the principles of implant dentistry. How to treatment plan and deal with complications. Not just “drill hole here”. Don’t get caught up in the in the numbers. Remember size doesn’t matter. I mean… it’s not the number of implants you place but how you place them.
Special thanks to all the amazing dentists who have taken the time to review courses on Course Karma.
Did we get something wrong? Is someone missing from the list? Please share in the comments!
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Dr. Aly Bhatia, DDS and the Course Karma team
Founder of Course Karma