Who are Good Candidates for Dental Implants?
Dental implants are one of the most effective and long-lasting solutions for tooth replacement, but many factors impact whether you can safely and successfully receive them. Your oral health, bone structure, medical history, and lifestyle habits all play a role in determining whether dental implants are right for you.
A good candidate for dental implants is someone who is missing one or more teeth, has healthy gums and adequate jawbone density, does not smoke, and is in good enough overall health to safely undergo oral surgery.
Even if you’re not a good candidate for dental implants right now, that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be in the future. In this article, we’ll help you understand:
- Who makes a good candidate for dental implants
- Why certain health or lifestyle factors can delay or prevent eligibility
- What steps can help you become eligible for dental implants
Let’s start by taking a closer look at what makes someone a strong candidate for dental implants.
What Makes Someone a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Ideal candidates for dental implants generally meet certain health, structural, and behavioral criteria.
You may be a good candidate for dental implants if you:
- Are missing one or more teeth and are looking for a permanent, natural-looking replacement option.
- Have healthy gums, free of active periodontal (gum) disease.
- Have adequate bone density in the jaw to support an implant.
- Do not smoke (or are willing to quit before surgery).
- Are in good overall health, with no uncontrolled chronic illnesses.
- Are committed to proper oral hygiene and regular dental care
These factors not only support the healing process, but also improve the likelihood of long-term success, helping to ensure that your smile will last you a lifetime.
Can Young Adults Get Dental Implants?
Yes, young adults can get dental implants.
Age alone is not a factor in determining whether dental implants are right for you. However, it’s usually recommended that teens wait for dental implants until their jawbone growth is complete. This typically happens after age 18. Placing an implant too early, before the jaw has finished growing, can lead to complications down the road.
Related reading: Dental Implants for Young Adults
Can Older Adults Get Dental Implants?
Yes, older adults are often excellent candidates for dental implants.
Many patients in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s have successfully received dental implants. As long as your overall health is good and your jawbone can support the implant, age is not a barrier. In fact, for many seniors, implants offer better comfort, stability, and function compared to removable dentures and other tooth replacement options.
Who May Not Be a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
You may not be a good candidate for dental implants if you:
- Smoke (and have no intention of quitting)
- Have poor oral health and hygiene
- Lack the jawbone structure to support the implants
- Are not healthy enough to undergo surgery
The good news? Most of these issues can be addressed. While they may delay your treatment, they don’t necessarily disqualify you from getting implants altogether. You just may need to take some additional steps before you’re ready for surgery.
Medical Conditions That May Interfere with Dental Implant Surgery
Certain health conditions can complicate the healing process and increase the risk of implant failure. These conditions include:
- Uncontrolled diabetes: high blood sugar can impair healing and increase the risk of post-operative infection, which may compromise implant success.
- Autoimmune disorders: these conditions can interfere with wound healing and increase inflammation, which may make it harder for the implant to properly fuse with the bone.
- Active cancer treatment: radiation therapy, particularly in the head and neck area, can reduce bone density and affect healing after implant placement.
- Bleeding disorders or use of blood thinners: these can increase surgical risks, especially if bleeding is difficult to control during or after the procedure.
- Heavy smoking or substance use: smoking restricts blood flow and significantly reduces healing potential, which is critical to the success of an implant.
If you are dealing with one or more of these health issues, it doesn’t always mean you can’t get implants. However, they do require special consideration by your oral surgeon as well as a careful, collaborative approach with your medical providers.
Oral Health Concerns
Good oral health is critical before, during, and after receiving a dental implant. Some of the concerns that must be addressed before starting the process include:
- Severe gum disease: active infections must be resolved, as they can damage the supporting tissues, interfere with healing, and lead to implant failure.
- Insufficient bone in the jaw: without adequate bone structure, the implant may not have enough of a foundation to take root. Dental implants with bone loss may be possible, but bone grafting may be needed to support and stabilize the implant.
- Untreated cavities or infections near the implant site: localized infections can spread or interfere with healing, so these must be treated before surgery.
- Poor oral hygiene habits: without proper brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits, you’ll run a higher risk of infection and implant loss.
Your oral surgeon will work with you to identify these issues and then build a personalized treatment plan that takes any concerns into account.
Behavioral and Lifestyle Factors that Limit Dental Implant Success
Certain lifestyle factors can significantly (and negatively) impact your chances of a successful implant. Smoking, poor post-op care, and neglecting to attend follow-up appointments can all increase the risk of implant failure.
Long-term implant health depends on your commitment to caring for your mouth and overall health, following aftercare instructions, and maintaining visits to your dentist and oral surgeon. In other words, your active participation in the success of your implant is just as important as the surgeon’s skill.
Can You Become a Candidate with the Right Preparation?
Yes! Many people who aren’t initially eligible for implants can become candidates with the right preparation and treatment.
Often, this means improving your overall or oral health before surgery, with treatment such as:
- Undergoing bone grafting procedures to restore jawbone volume
- Treating gum disease to restore healthy gum tissue
- Making lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or better managing a chronic illness
When possible, your oral surgeon will create a treatment plan to improve your candidacy based on your individual concerns.
Find Out if You’re A Candidate for Dental Implants
The best way to know if you’re a candidate for dental implants is to talk with an oral surgeon at Bergen Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. In a personal consultation, they can learn about your goals and assess your oral health and your medical history to help you determine if dental implants are right for you, whether now or in the future.
At Bergen Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in NJ, our board-certified oral surgeons bring decades of experience to every case, whether your path to dental implants is straightforward or complex. Trusted by dentists and patients for more than 70 years, we use advanced imaging for precise treatment planning and offer in-house sedation options to keep you comfortable and relaxed throughout the surgery.
Our patient-first approach is focused on your health, comfort, and results. From start to finish, we provide a full range of surgical services, including dental implants, with locations in Franklin Lakes, Hackensack, Ridgewood, and Westwood.
Ready to restore your smile with confidence? Call or text us at (210) 477-2667 or request an appointment online to start your dental implant consultation today.
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