- The Short Answer: Fellow of the AAID
- Who Is the AAID?
- What "Fellow" Actually Signifies
- Using the FAAID Designation Correctly
- Who Can Pursue the Fellow Credential
- How the Fellow Oral/Case Examination Works
- The Five Case Types You Must Submit
- The Four Case-Report Headings
- Fees, Dates and Election
- Keeping the Designation Active
- A Preparation Sequence Built Around the Report Headings
- Frequently Asked Questions
- FAAID stands for Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the AAID's Fellow-level credential.
- The Fellow exam is a virtual oral/case examination: five standardized cases discussed, five submitted cases defended.
- Applicants need at least five years of implant experience and 400 hours of implant CE, including 75 hands-on hours.
- Election follows Admissions and Credentials Board approval and a Board of Trustees vote, not exam completion alone.
The Short Answer: Fellow of the AAID
In this context, FAAID stands for Fellow of the AAID, where AAID is the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. It is the authorized post-nominal designation for dental practitioners who have completed the Academy's Fellow-level credentialing process. If you have seen the letters after a clinician's name and wondered what they signal, the answer is a peer-evaluated record of implant dentistry experience, education and case outcomes, not simply a membership badge.
Many acronyms in healthcare and other fields look alike, so it is worth being precise: this article covers only the AAID's Fellow designation. For a broader look at how the credential is framed, you can also read What Is FAAID? and FAAID Meaning, and if you are exploring the full pathway, our overview of FAAID Certification is a good companion.
Who Is the AAID?
The American Academy of Implant Dentistry is the professional organization that administers this credentialing pathway. It publishes the credentialing guidebook, sets Fellow eligibility requirements, fields the examiner teams that conduct the oral/case examination, and governs membership through its bylaws. The credential is not a generic dental license add-on; it exists inside the Academy's own structure of membership categories and board approvals.
That structure matters for understanding the letters. "Fellow" is a tier within AAID credentialing. A candidate typically moves through the Academy's pathway, and the Fellow designation reflects completion of the Fellow-level requirements and formal election, which is covered below.
What "Fellow" Actually Signifies
The word "Fellow" here is earned through documentation and defense. Candidates must demonstrate surgical and prosthetic competence and must have personally provided surgical and/or prosthetic treatment for each case they submit. The credential therefore rests on real patient work that has been followed long enough to show function over time.
For clinicians weighing whether the effort is justified, see Is the FAAID Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026. This article stays focused on what the designation is and how it is earned.
Using the FAAID Designation Correctly
The AAID publishes guidance on announcing your credential, and the authorized designation for Fellows is FAAID. Treat the designation as something conferred by election, not something you may append after passing the oral examination but before the Board and Trustees have acted. The sequence is exam, then Admissions and Credentials Board approval, then a Board of Trustees vote.
Once elected, successful oral candidates must also attend an Annual Business Meeting for induction within two years. Plan your calendar with that obligation in mind, since induction is part of completing the process rather than an optional ceremony.
Who Can Pursue the Fellow Credential
Eligibility is specific. Applicants must be licensed dental practitioners and must satisfy one of two entry conditions: either be an AAID Associate Fellow in good standing, or have passed Associate Fellow Part 1 and meet the Fellow eligibility requirements. The Associate Fellow Part 1 pathway has its own written blueprint, which is a separate matter from the Fellow oral/case examination described here.
Core Fellow Eligibility Requirements
Beyond licensure and the Associate Fellow condition, the Academy sets experience and education minimums.
- At least five years of implant dentistry experience
- 400 hours of implant continuing education, including 75 participatory or hands-on hours
- Demonstrated surgical and prosthetic competence
- Personal surgical and/or prosthetic treatment provided for each submitted case
A qualifying full-time implant dentistry, periodontal, oral/maxillofacial surgery or prosthodontics program lasting at least one year satisfies the educational requirement. For a fuller breakdown of prerequisites and how to document them, see FAAID Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
How the Fellow Oral/Case Examination Works
The Fellow examination is a virtual oral/case examination administered by AAID examiner teams. It is not a multiple-choice test. Candidates discuss five standardized clinical cases and defend five submitted cases drawn from different patients of their own.
The guide specifies approximately three hours for the examination, and up to four hours when you include equipment testing. Because delivery is virtual, the technical setup is part of preparation rather than an afterthought.
- Equipment: an Internet-capable computer with a webcam, plus a cellular device
- Prior check: an equipment check before examination day
- Language: the examination is conducted in English; an AAID-supplied interpreter may be arranged at the candidate's expense
The Five Case Types You Must Submit
The current Fellow requirements call for five submitted cases, each on a different patient, and each a defined type. All five must have final prostheses in function for at least one year by the examination period, use implants at least 3 mm in diameter, and include narratives, diagnostic photographs and radiographs, and patient releases.
| Required Case Type | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Removable full-arch implant overdenture | Implant-retained removable prosthesis for a full arch |
| Posterior maxilla with sinus augmentation | Implant treatment in the posterior maxilla supported by sinus grafting |
| Anterior maxilla | Implant treatment in the anterior maxillary region |
| Extraction with immediate placement or ridge preservation and delayed placement | Either immediate implant placement at extraction or ridge preservation followed by delayed placement |
| Fixed complete implant prosthesis | A fixed full-arch implant-supported restoration |
Key Takeaway
Because every case needs at least one year of the final prosthesis in function, case selection is effectively a multi-year planning exercise. Start identifying qualifying patients early, and verify that each one has complete records and a signed release.
One note on sources: the AAID's FAQ page still contains an older submitted-case and rating scheme. The current five-case requirements take precedence, so rely on the current Fellow requirements and the credentialing guide rather than legacy FAQ language.
The Four Case-Report Headings
The study materials organize the Fellow case report under four principal headings, drawn from the Fellow Examination Case Report Outline in the AAID credentialing guidebook (pp. 18-19). These are required case-report preparation headings. They are not an exhaustive oral-exam blueprint, and no weights are published for them, so do not treat them as a percentage-based content map.
Domain 1: Patient Examination
The foundation of each submitted case: the findings that justify everything that follows.
- Document history, clinical findings and diagnostic records consistently
- Be ready to explain what your examination revealed and why it mattered
Domain 2: Development of the Treatment Plan
The reasoning that connects diagnosis to the chosen approach.
- Defend why you selected the plan you did for each case type
- Be prepared to discuss alternatives you considered
Domain 3: Surgical and Prosthetic Report
The record of what was actually done and how it was executed.
- Know your surgical and prosthetic steps in sequence for every submitted case
- Connect the final prosthesis in function to the plan you developed
Domain 4: Clinical Résumé
The summary of your clinical background supporting the application.
- Present your implant experience and education coherently
- Make sure it aligns with the eligibility requirements you attested to
For a deeper treatment of how these headings fit together, see FAAID Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 4 Content Areas.
Fees, Dates and Election
Fee information from the AAID's official sources currently conflicts, so confirm the schedule that applies to your route before paying. The live fee page lists USD 1,085 for the Fellow examination, USD 599 for the alternative route after Associate Fellow Part 1, and USD 400 for re-examination. The linked 2024 guide instead lists USD 1,185, USD 699 for substitution, and USD 500 for re-examination. The guide identifies substitution as an alternative fee, not an additional charge.
| Item | Live fee page | 2024 guide |
|---|---|---|
| Fellow examination | USD 1,085 | USD 1,185 |
| Alternative route after Associate Fellow Part 1 (substitution) | USD 599 | USD 699 |
| Re-examination | USD 400 | USD 500 |
As of October 7, 2026, the next application window opens November 2026 and closes February 1, 2027. The Fellow oral/case examination is scheduled virtually for April 3, 2027. Always verify against the AAID's exam schedule before committing, and see FAAID Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling for scheduling detail. For the full financial picture, including annual dues, read FAAID Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
Keeping the Designation Active
Maintenance of the Fellow designation requires active AAID membership. Regular Fellow dues are USD 695 annually, payable January 1. Membership governance is set out in the AAID Bylaws, most recently amended November 15, 2025, so questions about membership status should be checked against that document and the Academy directly.
In practical terms, this means FAAID is an ongoing relationship with the Academy rather than a one-time achievement. If you let membership lapse, you risk the very standing that the designation depends on.
A Preparation Sequence Built Around the Report Headings
Because the Fellow process is case-driven, a sensible preparation order follows the four report headings rather than a generic study calendar. The sequence below is a suggested structure, not an official schedule.
Eligibility and Case Inventory
- Confirm your entry route and tally experience and CE hours, including the 75 hands-on hours
- Match your patients to the five required case types and check one-year function and 3 mm implant minimums
Domains 1 and 2 for Every Case
- Rebuild the examination findings and treatment-plan rationale for each submitted case
- Rehearse explaining alternatives and why you chose your approach
Domains 3 and 4 and Technical Readiness
- Walk through the surgical and prosthetic sequence aloud for each case
- Finalize the clinical résumé and complete the virtual equipment check
For a fuller approach to organizing your effort, see FAAID Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt, and keep our FAAID Cheat Sheet 2026 handy for a one-page review. If you want structured practice on the surrounding knowledge, our FAAID practice test site offers additional review material.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAAID stands for Fellow of the AAID, where AAID is the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. It is the Academy's authorized designation for its Fellow-level credential. You can find related explainers at What Does FAAID Stand For? and What Does FAAID Mean?.
No. The Fellow examination is a virtual oral/case examination in which candidates discuss five standardized clinical cases and defend five submitted cases on different patients. The Associate Fellow Part 1 has a separate written blueprint.
The guide specifies approximately three hours for the examination itself and up to four hours including equipment testing. You need an Internet-capable computer with a webcam, a cellular device and a prior equipment check.
No. Election follows approval by the Admissions and Credentials Board and a vote of the Board of Trustees. Successful oral candidates must also attend an Annual Business Meeting for induction within two years.
Maintenance requires active AAID membership, and regular Fellow dues are USD 695 annually, payable January 1. Exam-related fees vary by route, and the official schedules currently conflict, so confirm the applicable fee with the AAID before paying.
Understanding that FAAID means Fellow of the AAID is only the starting point. The credential reflects years of implant experience, documented education, five carefully chosen cases and a defended oral examination, followed by formal election. To explore the clinical side further, you can browse FAAID Training and FAAID Jobs, or revisit the main practice test site to continue your preparation.