Who is a good candidate for dental implants?

Sufficient Bone

There must be enough jawbone volume and density to securely place the implant. After a tooth extraction, bone can shrink; if a patient has been missing a tooth for a long time or had advanced periodontal disease, there might be bone loss. In such cases, bone grafting procedures can sometimes be done to rebuild bone for an implant. We assess bone through dental imaging (X-rays, and often 3D CBCT scans for precise measurement)

Healthy Gums

Good periodontal health is important. Gum disease needs to be treated before implant placement, as it can compromise the implant’s success.

Overall Health

Chronic conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking, or certain immune-compromising disorders can affect healing and integration of the implant. These don’t always rule out implants, but they might require additional precautions or may affect success rates. We’ll review your medical history thoroughly. Generally, if you’re healthy enough for routine dental procedures and have decent healing capacity, you’re likely a candidate. Age by itself is not a barrier – implants have been successful for patients in their 80s and 90s, as long as health permits.