How to become a Diplomate

The American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry's (ABOI/ID) examination process measure the in-depth knowledge, proficient skills and abilities required for practitioners to provide comprehensive, safe and effective implant and implant related procedures to their patients.

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry chartered the ABOI/ID in 1969. The objective of the American Board of Oral Implantology/ Implant Dentistry is to elevate the standards related to dental implantology through a certification and maintenance of certification process for dental practitioners.

The certification process is comprehensive and consists of a written and oral examination, covering all aspects of dental implantology. All applicants must provide evidence of an active dental license from the appropriate authority enabling the individual to practice dentistry in the United States or Canada.

All applicants must have seven (7) or more years of experience in the practice of implant dentistry and have completed at least 75 implant cases. Applicants must successfully complete both the Part I and Part II examination within four (4) years to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/ Implant Dentistry

Part I and Part II applications are due to the ABOI/ID Headquarters by October 15 of each year.

Part II cases in their final powerpoint format are due to the ABOI/ID Headquarters no later than January 15 of each year.

Part I - Candidate Application

There are 4 routes of entry for board certification:

Route 1: Graduate of a 2 year Implantology University based program

Route 2: Board Certified specialist graduate of a program based in the United States or Canada

Route 3: Specialist who graduated from a program based in the United States or Canada- non Board Certified

Route 4: General Dentist practicing in the United States or Canada or International dentist regardless of specialty

Route 5: General Dentist with same criteria as Route 4 but are an Associate Fellow or Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID)

Part II - Case Submission and Oral Examination

The ABOI/ID Part II Examination is an oral examination which consists of standardized cases and cases that the candidate submits to the ABOI.

Download the Part II Application

Case requirements

You will be required to submit ten (10) cases that have been restored and functional for a minimum of one year at the time of case submission.

New in case requirements for 2018:

1) Full arch removable implant overdenture with two (2) or more implants with a minimum diameter of 3.25mm.

2) Edentulous posterior maxilla with compromised vertical height (less than 5mm) requiring at least 3mm of sinus augmentation and two or more implants with a minimum diameter of 3.25mm.

3) Anterior maxilla with implant support that included one (1) or more root form implants with a minimum diameter of 3.0mm.

4) Extraction with immediate implant placement OR extraction with ridge preservation and delayed implant placement with a minimum diameter of 3.0mm.

5) Edentulous mandible with implant support that includes four (4) or more root form implants with a minimum diameter of 3.25mm.

6) A posterior quadrant in a partially edentulous mandible or maxilla with implant support that includes two (2) or more root form implants with a minimum diameter of 3.25mm.

7) Case showing the management of a width deficient boney ridge (less than 3mm) requiring augmentation or manipulation (excluding ridge reduction) and the placement of two (2) or more root form implants with a minimum diamter of 3.0mm.

8-10) Cases to be determined by the candidate. No more than one of these cases can be a single tooth replacement.

If you have any questions while you are compiling information to submit, please contact the ABOI Headquarters directly.

All potential candidates are encouraged to review the Candidate Handbook which outlines the examination process in greater detail. If at anytime you have any questions, please contact the ABOI Headquarters.