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Design Element

Oral Examination

Certification

Part II: Oral Examination

Oral Exam Overview

As the second of two certification examinations, the Oral Exam evaluates how candidates apply their implant dentistry knowledge in real clinical situations.

The oral exam combines standardized cases with a defense of the candidate’s own cases, requiring clear reasoning and a deep understanding of surgical and prosthetic principles. Candidates will respond to questions, justify treatment decisions, and integrate scientific evidence and current literature throughout the exam.

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View Case Templates

Exam components

Standardized cases

Candidates are guided through predetermined cases and asked questions that assess their diagnostic reasoning, treatment planning, and understanding of surgical and prosthetic principles.

Candidate-submitted cases

Candidates also defend their own documented implant cases. They must explain their diagnosis, justify their treatment plan, and demonstrate in-depth knowledge of both surgical and prosthetic aspects of implant dentistry.

At each station, candidates meet with two examiners and discuss all aspects of implant dentistry, including:

  • Comprehensive medical and dental history evaluation
  • Diagnosis
  • Medical management
  • Treatment planning
  • Implant surgery
  • Postoperative care
  • Prosthetic restoration
  • Maintenance
  • Revision treatment planning

How the exam is scored

After the exam, the Board’s psychometrician analyzes candidate scores using a multifaceted statistical model. This method:

  • Adjusts for differences in case difficulty
  • Accounts for the complexity of each category
  • Controls for examiner severity

Both the Written and Oral Examinations are criterion-referenced, meaning candidates are evaluated against pre-established standards, not in comparison to one another.

Preparing for the exam

The Board recommends that candidates review current literature and textbooks in implant dentistry and be prepared to discuss contemporary concepts and evidence during the examination.

After the exam

Candidates who successfully complete both parts of the certification process are awarded an eight-year, time-limited Diplomate certificate. Diplomates recertify every eight years by completing a take-home written examination.

Candidate Case Templates

Oral Examination Candidate Case Submission Requirements:

  • You will be required to submit eight (8) cases (see below for specifics).
  • You may not use the same patient for multiple cases.
  • Your cases must be restored and functional for a minimum of one year at the time of case submission.
  • Candidates will be examined on 4 of the 8 cases that are submitted. The 4 cases are chosen by the Oral Exam committee and will not be disclosed before the exam.
  • It’s very important to revisit and review all of your cases thoroughly prior to the exam.
  • Candidate cases will not be reviewed for accuracy or completeness.

Case 1) Edentulous mandible or maxilla with a full arch removable implant overdenture, utilizing two (2) or more implants. Case 1 Template

Case 2) Edentulous posterior maxilla with pneumatized maxillary sinus requiring at least 5 mm of lateral approach sinus augmentation and two (2) or more implants and its restoration. Case 2 Template

Case 3) Anterior maxilla with one or more root form implants and its restoration. Case 3 Template

Case 4) Any extraction with immediate implant placement or extraction with ridge preservation and delayed implant placement and its restoration. Case 4 Template

Case 5) Edentulous mandible or maxilla with four (4) or more root form implants supporting a fixed complete implant prosthesis. Case 5 Template

Case 6) An edentulous posterior mandible or maxillary quadrant with two (2) or more root form implants and its restoration. Case 6 Template

Case 7) Edentulous areas with more than two teeth missing and a deficient ridge requiring vertical or horizontal augmentation and the subsequent placement of two (2) or more root form implants and its restoration. Case 7 Template

Case 8) Case type to be determined by the candidate. The case cannot be a single tooth replacement. Case 8 Template

All potential candidates are encouraged to review the Certification Examination Handbook which outlines the examination process in greater detail. If at any time you have any questions, please contact the ABOI/ID Headquarters by calling 312-335-8793.