The tooth implant process

[2LittleSpeckledFrogs]

Am I doing something wrong?

It seems wherever you go, they charge £40-£60 for a consultation with a normal dentist. To then be referred to a specialist implant dentist. Who then charges AGAIN £100-£250 just for a consultation. Until you've had that you don't actually know if you even want the implant or exactly how much it will cost.

And different dentists seem to have wildly different implant prices but the only way to find out is to go through these consultations. But if you "shop around", you're quids down before you even start because of the consultation fees?

I have had 2 implants, both done by specialists at my normal (private) dentist.
I did not have to have a consultation either time. The first time a tooth had been removed 6 months previously. The second time he removed the tooth and placed the implant the same day.
My normal dentist had full notes and medical history so maybe that's why.