Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

The 5 Key Factors for Dental Implant Candidacy

1. Adequate Jawbone Density

A successful dental implant needs a strong foundation. The titanium post fuses directly with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. Therefore, having enough healthy bone volume is the most critical requirement.

• The Challenge: When a tooth is missing for a while, the jawbone in that area naturally begins to shrink.

• The Solution: Even if you've experienced bone loss, you can still be a candidate! Our skilled periodontist, Dr. Jesse Lemoine, may recommend a bone graft or a sinus lift, procedures that rebuild the bone to create a solid foundation for the implant.

2. Healthy Gums

You can't build a strong house on a shaky foundation. The same is true for your gums. Healthy gum tissue is essential for supporting your implant and protecting it from infection.

• The Challenge: Active periodontal (gum) disease can compromise an implant and lead to failure.

• The Solution: Before proceeding with implant surgery, any signs of gingivitis or periodontitis must be treated. Our team will create a plan to restore your gum health as the first step.

3. Good Overall Health

A dental implant procedure is a minor surgery, which means your body needs to be healthy enough to heal properly.

• The Challenge: Chronic conditions, such as unmanaged diabetes or autoimmune disorders, can sometimes impede healing.

• The Solution: These conditions don't automatically disqualify you. We take a whole-body approach and can coordinate with your medical team to ensure your health is stable and ready for a successful procedure.

4. A Commitment to Excellent Oral Hygiene

Dental implants are incredibly durable, but they are not immune to the effects of poor hygiene. The tissue around them can still become infected if not properly cared for (a condition called peri-implantitis).

• The Requirement: A successful candidate must be committed to a routine of daily brushing and flossing, just as they would for natural teeth.

• The Support: Our dedicated dental hygienist provides personalized guidance on how to care for your new implants to ensure they last a lifetime.

5. A Non-Smoking Lifestyle (or Willingness to Quit)

This is one of the most significant lifestyle factors. Smoking restricts blood flow to the gums, which severely slows down the healing process and dramatically increases the risk of implant failure.

• The Challenge: Smokers have a higher rate of implant complications.

• The Solution: We strongly advise patients to quit smoking before the procedure and during the healing period. We are here to support you with cessation strategies to help you achieve optimal results.