Who Is a Good Candidate for Implants?

When dental implants may be appropriate

A good candidate usually has healthy gums, enough jawbone to hold an implant (or bone that can be built up), general health that allows normal healing, and the habits to keep the implant clean for years. No single one of these decides it; a dentist weighs them together. If you're new to the topic, start with what dental implants are and how they work.

This page explains each factor so you know what's being checked. It can't tell you whether you're a candidate; only an examination can. The Ontario Dental Association can help you find a dentist in your area. For the reasons implants may need to wait, see who is not a candidate for dental implants.

General health and oral conditions

The mouth needs to be stable first. That means no active gum (periodontal) disease, and any infection or decay already treated.

Healthy gum heals well around the implant site and helps keep the restoration stable over the long term. Untreated problems raise the risk of complications, so they're usually dealt with as a first step.

People who brush, floss and keep up with professional cleanings tend to do better with implants over the long run.

Bone support and jaw structure

The implant needs enough bone, in both quantity and quality, to anchor securely and integrate.

After a tooth is lost, the bone around the gap can shrink. The longer the tooth has been missing, the more bone may have been lost. Bone grafting or other preparatory work can sometimes rebuild it before the implant goes in.

Bone is usually measured with a 3D CBCT scan when it's clinically needed. In many cases that's done by referral to an imaging facility; the scan itself is quick, and the facility or a radiologist then prepares and sends the images to your dentist, which can take some time.

Medical considerations

Implant surgery needs normal healing afterwards, and some conditions affect that. Among the ones a dentist will ask about:

• Uncontrolled diabetes, which can slow wound healing
• Autoimmune disorders that affect the immune response
• Conditions or medications that affect bone metabolism
• Past radiation therapy to the head or neck

Having one of these doesn't automatically rule you out. Well-managed conditions can often be planned around, sometimes with input from your physician. Reading about risks, complications, and success rates helps set realistic expectations.

Lifestyle and long-term commitment

Three habits affect both the surgery and how long the restoration lasts:

• Smoking. In a systematic review and meta-analysis, smokers had higher implant failure rates than non-smokers, and tobacco use is associated with slower healing. If you smoke, you may be advised to cut down or quit before and after treatment.
• Teeth grinding (bruxism). Regular clenching or grinding puts heavy force on implants and the teeth on them. A night guard or another measure may be suggested.
• Oral hygiene. Implants need the same daily care as natural teeth. Someone who keeps up with cleaning is generally a better candidate.

Treatment also takes time. Expect several months of healing periods and recovery milestones, follow-up appointments, and maintenance visits afterwards.

Age and timing

Age on its own rarely decides it. Healthy older adults may be candidates, and many people have implants placed well into later life.

Children and teenagers are different: implants aren't usually placed while the jaw is still growing. Treatment waits until jaw growth is complete, and that age varies from person to person.

Timing after tooth loss matters too. Sometimes an implant can go in soon after an extraction; other times the site needs to heal first.

Why a consultation matters

Reading about these factors gives you a rough sense of where you stand. It can't settle the question.

At an assessment, a dentist examines your mouth, reviews your medical history, takes or orders imaging, and talks through your goals and the alternatives. For a closer look at what the dentist examines at the assessment, our sister site walks through each check.