Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
A Surgeon’s Perspective
by Dr. Jeffrey Chandler
One of the most common questions I hear in my practice is: “Am I a good candidate for dental implants?” It’s a fair question and the honest answer is that most people are, but the details matter. As an oral surgeon, I want to give you a clear, practical look at what we consider when evaluating patients for implants and to walk you through what to expect in the process. My goal is for you to walk into any consultation feeling informed and empowered.
What is a Dental Implant, really?
Before we discuss candidacy, let’s make sure we’re on the same page. A dental implant is a small titanium post that is surgically placed by an oral surgeon into the jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root. Once it fuses with the bone through a process called osseointegration, a crown, bridge, or denture can be attached to it by your dentist. The result is a tooth replacement that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth.
Implants are widely considered the gold standard in tooth replacement and for good reason. They preserve jawbone, don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support, and can last a lifetime with proper care.
Are You a Candidate? Key Factors We Evaluate
- Adequate Bone
This is the single most important factor. Your jawbone must have enough density and volume to anchor the implant securely. When a tooth is lost, the bone beneath it begins to resorb (shrink) over time. If significant bone loss has occurred, you may need a bone graft before implant placement, which is a procedure we perform regularly.
- Healthy Gums
Gum disease (periodontitis) is one of the leading causes of tooth loss.This same process can also affect dental implants and lead to premature bone loss and implant failure. Active gum disease must be treated and resolved before placing implants. If you have a history of periodontal issues, we’ll work closely with your periodontist to ensure your gum health is stable and ready for implant surgery.
- General Health and Medical History
Certain systemic conditions can affect healing and implant success. During your consultation, we’ll review:
- Diabetes: Well-controlled diabetes does not disqualify you. However, poorly controlled blood sugar slows healing and raises infection risk. Patients with well-managed diabetes can be excellent implant candidates.
- Osteoporosis: We’ll evaluate how this affects your bone density and discuss any medications you’re taking, particularly bone resorption inhibitors, which can affect bone healing.
- Smoking: Smoking significantly increases the risk of implant failure by impairing healing. We strongly advise patients to quit before and after surgery. That said, many smokers do successfully receive implants, we’ll be upfront about your personal risk.
- Radiation therapy to the jaw: Prior radiation to the head and neck area can compromise blood supply to the bone. This doesn’t automatically rule out implants, but it requires careful planning.
- Age Considerations
Dental implants are generally not recommended for patients who are still growing, as the jaw hasn’t finished developing. We typically wait until patients are in their late teens or early twenties, depending on individual development. On the older end, there is no upper age limit as we regularly place implants in patients in their 70s or 80s with excellent results.
- Commitment to Oral Hygiene
Implants don’t get cavities, but they can fail due to a condition called peri-implantitis, essentially, an infection around the implant that mimics gum disease. Good daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings are essential. If you’re committed to maintaining your oral health, implants are a very durable, long-term investment.
The Dental Implant Surgical Procedure
The procedure to place a dental implant takes 30 to 60 minutes for one implant and only 2 to 3 hours for multiple implants. The number of appointments and time required vary from patient to patient.
Prior to surgery, you may receive antibiotics and for greater comfort, intravenous sedation or nitrous oxide (laughing gas). These options are discussed with you at your consultation appointment. A local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area where the dental implant will be placed.
When you are comfortable, the surgeon makes a small incision in the gum tissue to reveal the bone, drills into the jawbone and gently inserts the titanium implant. Sometimes it is better in the early stages of healing to have the implant covered by the gum tissue.
Now the healing begins. The length of time varies from person to person, depending upon the quality and quantity of bone. After the initial phase of healing, the surgeon places an abutment (support post) or a healing cap onto the dental implant during a brief follow-up visit. This allows gum tissue to mature and provides access to the implant.
It may be beneficial to perform a soft tissue graft to obtain stronger, more easily cleaned and natural appearing gum tissue in the area around the implant. This process involves moving a small amount of gum tissue from one part of your mouth to the area around the implant. Most often, it is a brief and relatively comfortable procedure.
Whether it’s one tooth or all of your teeth that are being replaced, your dentist will complete the restoration by fitting the replacement tooth (crown) to the dental implant.
What Happens If You’re Not an “Ideal” Candidate?
Here is what I tell my patients who come in worried they won’t qualify: the absence of ideal conditions does not mean implants are off the table. Modern oral surgery has sophisticated tools to address nearly every barrier. Not enough bone? Bone grafting, sinus lifts, or ridge augmentation can rebuild the foundation. Gum disease? Periodontal treatment can resolve active disease and prepare your mouth for implants. Medical concerns? We coordinate closely with your physicians to optimize your health before surgery.
The most important thing you can do is come in for a thorough evaluation. A consultation at Elmhurst Oral Surgery includes imaging, a full review of your medical history, and an honest, transparent conversation about what is and isn’t possible for your specific situation.
Ready to Find Out If Implants Are Right for You?
Dental implants have genuinely changed the lives of our patients, restoring not just their smiles, but their confidence, their ability to eat comfortably, and their long-term oral health. We take great pride in helping patients understand all of their options and guiding them through every step of the process.
If you’re curious about whether you’re a candidate, the best next step is a consultation. Our team at Elmhurst Oral Surgery is here to answer every question you have.
Call us to schedule your implant consultation or visit us at elmhurstoralsurgery.com to learn more.
The content in this blog is intended for general educational purposes and does not constitute individual medical advice. Please consult with a qualified oral surgeon to discuss your specific situation.