Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants? Understanding the Criteria

“More than 5 million dental implants are placed every year in the U.S.”

That’s not just a trend—it’s a testament to how life-changing this treatment can be. But as amazing as implants are, they’re not a perfect fit for everyone right out of the gate.

At Village Periodontics & Dental Implant Center, we help patients every day figure out if they’re ready for implants, or what steps they might need to take first. Let’s walk through what makes a good dental implant candidate, and how we help you qualify if you’re not quite there yet.

Step One: General Health Comes First

Implants rely on your body’s natural healing ability to succeed. If you’re in generally good health and can handle routine dental surgery, you’re likely on the right track.

We do take special care with patients who have:

• Uncontrolled diabetes
  
• Immune system disorders
  
• Chronic conditions that impact healing
  
• History of radiation therapy to the jaw
  

None of these are automatic disqualifiers. We’ll consult with your physician and customize your plan if needed.

Step Two: Healthy Gums Are a Must

Your gums are the foundation. If they’re not healthy, the implant may not last.

At Village Periodontics, we specialize in treating gum disease before placing implants. In fact, restoring gum health is often the first step.

If you’ve had gum issues in the past, don’t worry—we’ve got the tools and the experience to get things back on track.

Step Three: Bone Quality and Volume

Dental implants need a solid base. That means strong, healthy jawbone tissue.

If you’ve been missing a tooth for a while, the bone in that area may have shrunk. But that doesn’t mean implants are off the table.

We offer:

• Bone grafting
  
• Ridge preservation
  
• Advanced 3D imaging to assess your bone structure

We’ll make sure there’s enough bone to support the implant—or help rebuild it if there’s not.

Step Four: No Smoking (Or At Least, A Break From It)

Smoking and implants don’t mix well. Nicotine reduces blood flow, which can affect healing and raise the risk of failure.

We strongly recommend quitting or pausing smoking before and after implant surgery. Even a temporary break can make a big difference. We’ll talk through strategies if this feels like a challenge—we’re here to support you.

Step Five: Age Isn’t the Issue

We get this question a lot: “Am I too old for implants?”

Short answer? No.

As long as your overall health is good and your jawbone is stable, age is not a limiting factor. We’ve placed implants for patients in their 70s and 80s with excellent outcomes.

Step Six: You’re Committed to Aftercare

Your role doesn’t end after surgery. In fact, maintenance is everything.

We look for candidates who are committed to:

• Daily brushing and flossing
  
• Regular dental visits
  
• Following post-op instructions
  
• Not ignoring small issues like swelling or bleeding
  

Success is a team effort—and we’re in it with you for the long haul.

What If You’re Not Quite Ready?

That’s okay! Many patients come in needing a few steps before they can move forward with implants.

We’ll guide you through:

• Gum therapy
  
• Bone rebuilding
  
• Lifestyle changes

Our goal is to get you there safely, and with full confidence in your treatment.

Let’s Talk About Your Options

At Village Periodontics, we believe in education, not pressure. We’ll walk you through your unique situation and help you understand your best options for long-term oral health and lasting results.

Schedule your consultation today—and let’s build your treatment plan together.