When patients come to me asking about dental implants, the first thing I tell them is this:
More people qualify than you think.
There’s a widespread misconception that implants are only for younger patients with perfect health and ideal bone density. In reality, I’ve placed implants for patients in their 80s, patients with well-managed diabetes, patients who were told elsewhere they “weren’t candidates,” and patients who’d been wearing ill-fitting dentures for over a decade.
That said, not everyone is a good candidate, and I will always tell you honestly which category you fall into. Here are the seven factors I evaluate at every implant consultation.
1. Bone Density and Volume
Implants fuse to the jawbone — that’s the source of their stability and strength. To do that successfully, there needs to be sufficient bone present at the implant site.
Patients who have been missing teeth for a long time often experience bone resorption — the jawbone gradually shrinks when it’s no longer being stimulated by tooth roots. This can reduce both the height and width of available bone.
The good news: bone grafting can often restore adequate volume. A bone graft — using synthetic, donor, or your own bone material — is placed at the deficient site and integrates over several months. Once healed, the site can typically support an implant. It adds time to the overall treatment, but for many patients it’s exactly what makes implants possible.
2. Overall Medical Health
Certain conditions and medications can affect healing after implant surgery. I review every patient’s full medical history carefully. Conditions that require special consideration include:
- Diabetes (well-controlled is generally fine; poorly controlled increases failure risk)
- Blood thinners and anticoagulants
- Bisphosphonate medications (used for osteoporosis — requires careful evaluation)
- Autoimmune conditions
- Heart conditions requiring antibiotic prophylaxis
None of these automatically disqualify you. They require planning, coordination with your medical team, and honest conversation about risk versus benefit.
3. Gum Health
Active gum disease — periodontitis — must be addressed before implant placement. The bacteria responsible for gum disease can infect the implant site and cause failure even after successful osseointegration.
If you have active gum disease, we treat it first. Once your gums are healthy, implant candidacy is reassessed. Many patients who were told they “can’t get implants because of gum disease” simply needed that disease treated first.
4. Smoking Status
Smoking significantly impairs healing and dramatically increases the risk of implant failure. The research on this is consistent and clear.
I always have an honest conversation with patients who smoke. For patients committed to quitting — or willing to stop for the healing period — implants can often proceed with careful monitoring. For active smokers who cannot or will not reduce smoking, the increased failure risk is something we discuss directly.
5. Age
Implants are not placed while the jaw is still developing — typically not before age 18. But there is no upper age limit.
I’ve successfully placed implants in patients in their early 80s who were in good health and had adequate bone. Age alone is not a reason to decline implant treatment. What matters is your overall health, bone quality, and healing capacity.
6. Commitment to Oral Hygiene
Implants require the same daily care as natural teeth. They can develop a condition called peri-implantitis — an infection around the implant similar to gum disease — when oral hygiene is neglected.
Patients who brush twice daily, clean between teeth with floss or a water flosser, and come in for regular professional maintenance have significantly better long-term implant outcomes. At your consultation, I’ll ask about your current habits honestly — because your long-term success depends on them.
7. Realistic Expectations
Implant treatment takes time. The process from placement to final restoration typically spans 3–6 months for straightforward cases, and longer for complex ones. During the healing period, you’ll have temporary teeth and some dietary restrictions.
Patients who understand and accept this timeline — who are invested in the long-term outcome — consistently have the best results. Patients who expect a quick fix or who are frustrated by the process tend to have more difficulty.
The Only Way to Know for Sure
Reading a list of factors is helpful context, but there is no substitute for a proper clinical evaluation. I need to take X-rays, examine your bone anatomy, review your health history, and have a real conversation with you about your goals.
Call us at (913) 441-1600 to schedule an implant consultation at our Bonner Springs office. I’ll give you a straightforward assessment — including whether implants are right for you, what the process would look like, and what it would cost. No pressure, no upselling. Just honest information so you can make the decision that’s right for your life.
