Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

The short answer

If you're an adult in reasonable health, have enough bone (or can get it grafted), and don't smoke heavily, you're very likely a candidate. Age alone is almost never the limiting factor.

Green-light factors

• 18+ years old (jaw fully developed)
• General good health
• Healthy (or treatable) gums
• Non-smoker, or willing to stop for 2+ weeks around surgery
• Realistic expectations and willing to maintain hygiene
• Sufficient jawbone — or willing to have a graft if needed

Conditions that need planning, not rejection

Controlled diabetes

HbA1c under 7% is ideal; 7–8% is generally acceptable with closer monitoring.

Osteoporosis medications (bisphosphonates)

Intravenous bisphosphonates carry a risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw; oral versions taken for a shorter period carry a much lower risk. Either way, they need to be discussed at consultation.

Previous radiation to the jaw

Increases the risk of healing complications; implants may still be possible, but need careful assessment with input from your oncology team.

Moderate gum disease

Must be stabilised first — see gum disease treatment. An implant in diseased gums is an expensive short-term solution.

Pregnancy

Usually deferred until after delivery. Emergency tooth removal may proceed with appropriate precautions.

Conditions that often rule out implants (at least temporarily)

• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Active radiation therapy
• Immunosuppression
• Current heavy smoking (more than 10 cigarettes daily)
• Untreated severe periodontal disease
• Recent intravenous bisphosphonate therapy
• Severe uncontrolled bruxism (needs splint therapy first)

Bone — the big variable

Once a tooth is lost, the bone in that area starts to shrink, fastest in the first months (this is normal resorption). Depending on how much bone is left:

• Plenty of bone: straightforward implant
• Moderate bone loss: minor graft at the time of the implant (typically AED 2,000–3,500)
• Significant bone loss: separate graft first, healing for 3–4 months, then implant
• Severe loss: a major graft, or a sinus lift in the upper back jaw

Three-dimensional imaging, usually a CBCT scan, is widely used to measure bone volume before implant surgery (see the questions below). The grafting options are explained in bone grafting for implants.

The age question

Implants can be placed in patients in their 70s and 80s. The limiting factor at older ages is systemic health, not age itself. A healthy 82-year-old is often a better candidate than an unhealthy 42-year-old.

The smoking conversation

Smoking is one of the most consistent risk factors for implant failure. Dentists commonly advise:

• Stop smoking 2 weeks before surgery
• Stay stopped for 8 weeks after (through most of osseointegration)
• Ideally, quit entirely — it's one of the biggest improvements you can make for dental outcomes

Next step

A consultation with appropriate imaging is the reliable way to confirm candidacy. Bring your medical history and a list of your medications. The treatment is outlined on the dental implants page, and you can book a consultation online.

Common questions

What HbA1c level do I need to get dental implants?

HbA1c under 7% is ideal; 7–8% is generally acceptable with closer monitoring; 8–10% usually means optimising diabetes control first; above 10%, implants are usually deferred. Poorly controlled diabetes slows healing and raises the risk of infection, whereas people with well-controlled diabetes have outcomes close to those of people without diabetes. Before surgery, expect a recent HbA1c result, physician clearance if you are above 8%, a review of your diabetes medication and possibly antibiotic cover. Afterwards, maintenance visits every three months and stricter home care are advised. Planning around other health conditions is covered in dental treatment with medical conditions.

Does age affect dental implant success rates?

Very little. The minimum is about 18–20, once jaw growth is complete. Survival rates in older patients are only slightly lower than in younger adults, and the small difference tracks general health rather than age itself. What matters more are bone quality, medical conditions, smoking, hygiene and medications such as bisphosphonates. For older patients, planning usually includes a thorough medical review, gentler surgical protocols, a longer healing allowance and sometimes a simpler design such as an implant overdenture rather than a fixed full arch.

What is a CBCT scan, and why is it used before implants?

CBCT stands for cone-beam computed tomography. It produces a three-dimensional image of the jaw bone and teeth, using less radiation than a conventional medical CT scan. For implant planning, it shows the height and width of the available bone and the position of structures such as nerves and sinuses, which a flat X-ray can't. That information is used to plan implant position and any grafting before surgery.

Practical decision guide

Implant planning is a medical and engineering decision. The useful question is not only whether an implant can be placed, but whether the bone, gum, bite, medical history, hygiene routine, and restoration design make it likely to stay healthy.

Check this first

• CBCT bone volume, gum thickness, sinus or nerve position, smoking/vaping history, diabetes control, and periodontal status.
• Whether the missing-tooth space needs grafting, sinus lift, temporary teeth, or staged treatment.
• How the final crown, bridge, denture, or full-arch restoration will be cleaned and maintained.

When to book sooner

• There is swelling, pus, implant mobility, persistent bleeding, or a bad taste around an implant.
• A recent extraction site is planned for an implant but no grafting or bone-preservation discussion happened.
• You have uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease, heavy smoking, or bisphosphonate/osteoporosis medication history.

Topic-specific notes

• For implant treatment, ask how bone, gum thickness, bite forces, smoking, diabetes control, and cleaning access affect the plan. A technically placed implant still fails if the long-term maintenance plan is weak.

Questions to ask at the appointment

• Do I need a CBCT scan, graft, sinus lift, or soft-tissue graft before implant placement?
• Which implant system is being used, and can replacement parts be sourced long term?
• How often should this implant be professionally cleaned, and what tools should I use at home?

Dubai patient note

Dubai implant quotes vary because they may or may not include CBCT, surgical guide, grafting, abutment, crown, temporary tooth, sedation, and follow-up. Compare itemised plans rather than headline implant prices.

References

• Academy of Osseointegration — Patient candidacy guidelines
• Journal of Oral Rehabilitation — Systemic factors in implant success