Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Most adults are. Here's how to know.
Roughly 90% of adults missing teeth are candidates for dental implants. Some aren't. This page is an honest walkthrough of the medical, dental, and lifestyle factors that matter, and what to do if you've been told βnoβ elsewhere.
π Get the Definitive Answer, Free 3D Scanβ You're likely a candidate ifβ¦
You're missing one or more teeth
Whether it's a single tooth or all of them, implants exist at every scale (single, multiple, full arch).
You have adequate jaw bone
Most adults do. The 3D CT scan at consultation tells us definitively. Even if bone is reduced, options like All-on-4 work with less bone, and zygomatic implants work with severe bone loss.
Your gums are healthy (or treatable)
Active gum disease must be controlled before implant placement. We treat or refer first, then proceed with implants.
You're generally healthy
If you can have a tooth extracted, you can almost always have an implant. Diabetes, heart conditions, etc. are usually fine with proper management.
You're 18 or older
Implants require fully-developed jaw bone. Patients under 18 typically aren't candidates. There's no upper age limit, we regularly treat patients in their 70s and 80s.
You don't smoke heavily
Light smokers can be candidates with cessation support. Heavy smokers (1+ pack/day) significantly raise failure risk and need to commit to quitting at least 2 weeks pre-surgery and 8 weeks after.
β Cases requiring specialized planning
These factors don't disqualify you, they just mean we plan more carefully. Most still proceed with treatment.
You have severe upper-jaw bone loss
Standard implants may not work, but you're a candidate for zygomatic implants, which we offer. Read more about you have severe upper-jaw bone loss β
You wear long-term dentures
Bone loss from years of denture wear may be significant. We'll image first, then determine the right path (All-on-4, zygomatic, or bone graft + traditional). Read more about you wear long-term dentures β
You have uncontrolled diabetes
Implant healing depends on stable blood sugar. We'll work with your physician to confirm A1C levels before proceeding.
You're on bisphosphonates (osteoporosis meds)
Long-term IV bisphosphonates raise the risk of jaw complications. Oral bisphosphonates under 4 years are usually fine. We'll review your specific medication and dosing.
You've had radiation to the head/neck
History of head/neck radiation requires specialized planning. We'll consult with your oncologist before proceeding.
β When implants need to wait
These conditions require treatment or stabilization first. They're rarely permanent disqualifications,
Active, uncontrolled infection
Must be treated first. Once cleared, implant placement can proceed normally.
Recent chemotherapy
Wait period required (usually 6+ months post-treatment). Coordinate with your oncologist.
Severe immunocompromise
Some autoimmune conditions or transplant medications may make implants high-risk. Case-by-case evaluation needed.
The only way to know definitively: a 3D CT scan.
30-minute consultation. Free CBCT scan ($350 value). You leave knowing, for your specific case, with your specific bone, gum, and medical history, whether dental implants are right for you.
Common questions about candidacy.
I was told elsewhere I'm not a candidate. Should I get a second opinion at Apex?+
Yes, almost always. Many clinics turn away patients because they don't perform zygomatic implants or don't have full general anesthesia capability. We do both. The 3D CT scan at consultation gives a definitive answer for your specific case.
Is there an age limit for dental implants?+
No upper limit. We regularly place implants for patients in their 70s and 80s. The lower limit is 18, younger patients still have growing jaw bones.
Can I get implants if I have diabetes?+
Yes, with controlled blood sugar (A1C below 7% is ideal, below 8% is acceptable). We coordinate with your physician to confirm before scheduling surgery.
What if I have osteoporosis or take bisphosphonates?+
Oral bisphosphonates taken for less than 4 years are generally fine. IV bisphosphonates or longer oral use require specialized risk assessment. We review your specific medications at consultation.
Will my heart medication prevent me from getting implants?+
Almost never. We coordinate with your cardiologist if you're on anticoagulants (blood thinners) to manage timing around surgery. Common medications like statins, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors don't affect implant candidacy.
I have a history of failed dental work. Am I still a candidate?+
Usually yes. Failed bridges, lost teeth, or even failed prior implants don't disqualify you. The 3D CT scan tells us what bone you have and what's possible.
How do I find out for sure if I'm a candidate?+
The free consultation. 30 minutes. CBCT scan, oral exam, treatment plan with exact pricing. You leave knowing definitively whether implants are right for you, and if not, what alternatives are.
Most adults are candidates β the real question is which procedure, not whether one is possible.
When patients ask whether they're a candidate for dental implants, they're usually thinking about the answer in binary terms β yes or no. The clinical reality is more nuanced. Roughly 95% of medically stable adults can receive some form of implant treatment. The relevant question is which type of implant procedure suits your specific anatomy, bone volume, medical history, and goals. The 3D CT scan we run free at the consultation gives us the exact information we need to answer that question definitively, in three dimensions, in less than 30 seconds of imaging time.
The factors that genuinely disqualify a patient from any implant procedure are narrow: active untreated cancer being treated with high-dose IV bisphosphonates, uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c above 10), recent radiation to the jaw, or a few rare connective tissue disorders. Far more common are situations that require a modified protocol β bone grafting before implant placement for patients who lost teeth years ago and saw bone resorption, sinus lift for upper-back implants when the maxillary sinus has dropped, or zygomatic implants (a specialty procedure most clinics can't offer) when traditional implants aren't viable due to severe upper-jaw bone loss. Each of these has a path forward; they just require a surgeon comfortable with the modification.
Age is rarely the limiting factor. We routinely place implants in patients in their 80s, and the older patient population actually has lower failure rates than the 20-30 cohort because their oral hygiene tends to be more diligent. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and active periodontal disease are the three modifiable risk factors that most affect long-term success. We address each of those at the consultation with realistic protocols rather than blanket disqualifications.
Find out for sure, free 3D scan + consultation.
30 minutes. CBCT scan ($350 value, free). Honest treatment plan with exact pricing. Zero pressure to commit.
- βSame-week appointments available
- βNo referral needed
- βBring prior X-rays or CT scans if you have them
Or call directly: π (916) 886-1806
Book my candidacy consultation
We'll text you a confirmation within 15 minutes during business hours.
π HIPAA-compliant Β· No spam, ever