Columbia, SC Dental Implants Provider Guide
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Columbia Smiles

Updated 2026-07-21 · 326 reviewed · 38 listed · Scored from 179 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.9(179) 85 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Google-verified
All-on-4 & Full Arch ImplantsSingle Tooth ImplantsSame-Day / Immediate Load ImplantsSedation & Sleep Dentistry for ImplantsProsthodontics & Implant RestorationOral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Columbia Smiles
Services
All-on-4 & Full Arch Implants, Single Tooth Implants, Same-Day / Immediate Load Implants
Reviews
179

What recent reviews say

Patients consistently praise Dr. Nick and staff for warmth, skill, and making dentistry feel welcoming rather than stressful. Most arrive anxious and leave grateful, noting quick scheduling and thorough explanations throughout treatment.

One serious complaint centers on a failed extraction, unnecessary implant placement, and disputed follow-up care that left permanent damage. The reviewer also warns of overly tight temporary bonding and aggressive bridge recommendations. The vast majority of reviews contradict this account, making it an outlier, though it flags potential risks in tooth removal and treatment sequencing.

Praised for
  • friendly and welcoming staff
  • Dr. Nick's expertise and professionalism
  • compassionate patient care
  • quick appointment access
  • comfortable, pain-free experience
Watch-outs
  • incomplete tooth extraction
  • implant failed and placed without consultation
  • removal of implant without anesthesia
  • poor aftercare communication
  • aggressive bonding to push bridge treatment
skilled-surgeongentle-carepain-freefriendly-staffprofessional-officebotched-procedure
Best for: Patients anxious about dentistry or needing quick scheduling and cosmetic work.
Think twice if: If you need a tooth extraction or have complex implant needs, seek a second opinion; one patient reported incomplete extraction, failed implant placement, and communication breakdown.

Strengths

  • Dr. Nick's hands-on approach and energy
  • Fast scheduling, even same-day emergency appointments
  • Staff trained to manage dental anxiety
  • Cosmetic expertise (AACD accredited, claims official Miss USA/Teen USA dentist)

Worth knowing

  • Dr. Nick leads the practice
  • Staff members named include Amber, Danielle, and Pam (hygienist)
  • AACD Accreditation claimed on website
  • Website claims official dentist for Miss USA and Miss Teen USA in SC and NC
  • Same-day emergency appointments documented
  • Implant cost cited as approximately $600 in one complaint

What reviews say by service

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
One reviewer reported incomplete tooth extraction, improper implant placement, and removal without anesthesia; others praise painless procedures.
Single Tooth Implants
One implant failed to integrate and was removed; unclear if placement or aftercare was the issue.
Prosthodontics & Implant Restoration
Crowns and restorations praised for comfort and appearance; bonding highlighted as sometimes aggressively applied.
Sedation & Sleep Dentistry for Implants
Pain-free experience emphasized by multiple reviewers; one complaint noted removal performed without numbing.

How it compares

  • Rated 4.9 against a 4.73 average across the 15 oral & maxillofacial surgery businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 46% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

How We Rank
Star rating 92
Review volume 98
Review recency 90
Review sentiment 61
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
176
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
3

Common questions

Can I get an emergency appointment on short notice?
Yes. At least one reviewer was fit in for a same-day emergency dental clearance before surgery.
Who is Dr. Nick?
Dr. Nick leads Columbia Smiles. The website claims AACD accreditation and that he serves as official dentist for Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants in South Carolina and North Carolina.
What if I am nervous about dental work?
Reviews consistently mention staff making anxious patients feel comfortable and explaining procedures step by step. One patient who hadn't visited a dentist in years reported feeling welcome and leaving a lifelong patient.

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Dr. Ruggiero and his team earn consistent praise for prosthodontic skill, clear communication, and genuine care. Patients report rapid response to urgent needs and thoughtful treatment planning. The rare negative accounts describe serious implant failures, unresponsive follow-up when complications arose, and staff rudeness during schedule conflicts. Work quality spans dentures, bridges, implant restorations, and corrections of prior damage. Staff members including Doctor Rucker and Mandy are named for professionalism. Patients travel long distances and defer procedures elsewhere for this practice. When problems do occur, the gap between routine care and crisis response becomes stark.

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Not enough recent reviews yet to synthesise a reliable sentiment read for this business.

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Last updated 2026-07-21