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; under 8% is usually safe with careful monitoring.

Osteoporosis medications (bisphosphonates)

Recent IV bisphosphonates carry risk of osteonecrosis; oral versions for under 3 years usually don't. Requires consultation.

Previous radiation to the jaw

Increases risk of healing complications; possible but needs specialist assessment.

Moderate gum disease

Must be stabilised first. 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
• Bisphosphonate IV therapy within the last 3 years
• Severe uncontrolled bruxism (needs splint therapy first)

Bone — the big variable

If you've been missing a tooth for 6+ months, the bone in that area has started to shrink (this is normal resorption). Depending on how much bone is left:

• Plenty of bone: straightforward implant
• Moderate bone loss: minor graft at time of implant (adds AED 2,000–3,500)
• Significant bone loss: separate graft first, healing for 3–4 months, then implant
• Severe loss: major graft or sinus lift needed

A 3D CBCT scan is the gold standard for assessing bone volume — never proceed with an implant without one.

The age question

We regularly place implants 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

Smokers have 2–3× higher implant failure rates. We strongly recommend:

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

Next step

A consultation plus CBCT is the only reliable way to confirm candidacy. Most Dubai clinics will do this for free or at a nominal fee that's credited against treatment if you proceed.

References

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