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Who is a candidate for implants

Most adults missing one, several or all teeth can be considered for implants. General health, bone, gum health, smoking and medications shape the plan; children with growing jaws are the main exception.

Most adults with missing teeth

The ACP states that almost anyone missing a single tooth, multiple teeth or all teeth is a candidate for implants.1 AAOMS states that young, middle-aged and older patients are generally suitable, and that past barriers such as bone loss can now often be managed.2

The main exception

AAOMS names growing children as the exception, because their jawbones are still developing.2

Health matters more than age

The ADA states that good general health matters more than age, and that a physician evaluation may be needed before surgery.3 In a 10-year meta-analysis, implants in people aged 65 or older had 91.5 percent survival in the sensitivity analysis, compared with 93.2 percent overall.4 The mean age of patients in a 24-study review of implant overdentures was 65.9 years.5

Factors that shape the plan

FactorWhat the sources sayTopic
BoneWidth and height shrink after extraction; grafting or other options may be needed6Jawbone changes after tooth loss
SmokingFailure rate 6.35 percent in smokers vs 3.18 percent in non-smokers7Smoking, diabetes and implant results
DiabetesFailures similar; more bone loss; the FDA flags uncontrolled diabetes89Smoking, diabetes and implant results
Gum disease historyHigher risk of implant loss and peri-implantitis10Gum disease history and implants
MedicationsSome bone drugs, antidepressants and acid reducers change the plan11Medications and implants

The consultation

The FDA advises patients to discuss with their dental provider whether they are a good candidate before getting implants.9 A CBCT scan is the imaging method of choice for assessing implant sites.12

Questions to ask

  • What the scan shows about bone at each site.
  • Whether any health condition or medication changes the plan.
  • What the options are if implants are not advised.

General information about dental implants. Treatment decisions are made with a licensed dentist.

Sources

  1. American College of Prosthodontists (GoToAPro): Dental Implants FAQ. gotoapro.org
  2. AAOMS (MyOMS.org): Are Dental Implants Safe?. myoms.org
  3. American Dental Association (MouthHealthy): Implants. mouthhealthy.org
  4. Howe MS, Keys W, Richards D. Long-term (10-year) dental implant survival. J Dent 2019. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Lemos CA et al. Complete overdentures retained by mini implants: systematic review. J Dent 2017. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Tan WL et al. Post-extraction alveolar hard and soft tissue dimensional changes: systematic review. Clin Oral Implants Res 2012. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  7. Chrcanovic BR et al. Smoking and dental implants: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent 2015. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  8. Moraschini V et al. The impact of diabetes on dental implant failure. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2016. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  9. U.S. FDA: Dental Implants, What You Should Know. fda.gov
  10. Annunziata M et al. Implant therapy in patients with and without a history of periodontitis. J Periodontal Res 2025. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  11. Jung RE et al. Group 1 ITI Consensus Report: implant length, design and medications. Clin Oral Implants Res 2018. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  12. Tyndall DA et al. AAOMR position statement on selection criteria for radiology in dental implantology with emphasis on CBCT. 2012. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evidence

Sourced facts

Each line links to the study or the specialty body it comes from.

  1. The ACP states that almost anyone missing a single tooth, multiple teeth or all teeth is a candidate.

    American College of Prosthodontists (GoToAPro): Dental Implants FAQ · checked October 2, 2026

  2. AAOMS states that growing children are the exception because their jaws are still developing.

    AAOMS (MyOMS.org): Are Dental Implants Safe? · checked October 2, 2026

  3. The ADA states that good general health matters more than age and that a physician evaluation may be needed before surgery.

    American Dental Association (MouthHealthy): Implants · checked October 2, 2026

  4. In a 10-year survival meta-analysis, implants in people aged 65 or older had 91.5 percent survival in the sensitivity analysis.

    Howe MS, Keys W, Richards D. Long-term (10-year) dental implant survival: systematic review and sensitivity meta-analysis. J Dent 2019 · checked October 2, 2026

  5. The FDA advises discussing candidacy with a dental provider and notes that smoking may affect healing and long-term success.

    U.S. FDA: Dental Implants, What You Should Know · checked October 2, 2026

  6. Mean age of overdenture patients in a 24-study review was 65.9 years.

    Lemos CA et al. Complete overdentures retained by mini implants: systematic review. J Dent 2017 · checked October 2, 2026

  7. Horizontal bone loss of 29 to 63 percent occurs within 6 months after extraction.

    Tan WL et al. Systematic review of post-extraction alveolar hard and soft tissue dimensional changes. Clin Oral Implants Res 2012 · checked October 2, 2026

  8. Implant failure was 6.35 percent in smokers versus 3.18 percent in non-smokers.

    Chrcanovic BR et al. Smoking and dental implants: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent 2015 · checked October 2, 2026

  9. Implant failures did not differ between people with and without diabetes; bone loss was greater with diabetes.

    Moraschini V et al. The impact of diabetes on dental implant failure: systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2016 · checked October 2, 2026

  10. A history of periodontitis increased the risk of implant loss and peri-implantitis.

    Annunziata M et al. Implant therapy in patients with and without a history of periodontitis: systematic review. J Periodontal Res 2025 · checked October 2, 2026

  11. Certain SSRIs and proton pump inhibitors are associated with higher implant failure rates.

    Jung RE et al. Group 1 ITI Consensus Report: implant length, design and medications. Clin Oral Implants Res 2018 · checked October 2, 2026

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Mature woman portrait with long gray hair Outcomes and risks

Smoking, diabetes and implant results

Smokers have about twice the implant failure rate of non-smokers in pooled studies. People with diabetes had failure rates similar to people without it, with slightly more bone loss; control of the disease matters.

 Smiling woman looking at teeth in a mirror Candidacy

Medications and implants

Some medications change implant planning. Bone-strengthening drugs (bisphosphonates, denosumab) carry a small risk of jaw osteonecrosis, and AAOMS advises avoiding implants in cancer patients receiving these drugs by injection. Some antidepressants and acid reducers are associated with higher failure.

 Woman with grey hair posing against beige backgrou Outcomes and risks

Gum disease history and implants

People who have had periodontitis (gum disease) can receive implants, with a higher risk of implant loss and peri-implantitis than people who have not. Regular maintenance visits are part of the plan.

 Smiling woman with blonde bob hairstyle posing Anatomy

Jawbone changes after tooth loss

The bone that held a tooth shrinks after the tooth is removed, most in width and most in the first 3 to 6 months. The amount of remaining bone shapes implant planning and whether grafting is needed.

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Dr. Michael Pawlus
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Dr. Michael Pawlus

Periodontist · Sarasota

ICOI Fellow, ICOI Diplomate · AAP member

Doctor page(941) 923-2288
Featured doctorDr. Michael Pawlus · Sarasota