Dental implants are a long-term option for replacing missing teeth, but they are not appropriate for every patient in every situation. The question of whether you are a candidate comes down to a clinical assessment, not a checklist you can complete on your own.
That said, understanding the main factors dentists evaluate helps patients come into a consultation with realistic expectations. At Coast Dental Centre in Maple Ridge, Dr. Ron Brar and Dr. Rashi Chaturvedi work with patients on implant candidacy, bringing together Dr. Brar’s training in prosthodontics and Dr. Chaturvedi’s background as a board-certified periodontist.
What Dental Implants Actually Require
A dental implant is a titanium post that is placed into the jawbone, where it integrates with the bone over several months. A crown is then attached to the post above the gumline, restoring the visible tooth. For this process to work, the implant needs enough bone to anchor into, healthy gum tissue surrounding the site, and a patient whose overall health supports the healing process.
When any of these factors are not present, the treatment plan either needs to be adjusted or implants may not be appropriate at all.
7 Factors Dentists Consider When Assessing Implant Candidacy
1. Available Bone Volume
Bone is the foundation of every implant. After a tooth is lost, the bone in that area begins to shrink because it no longer receives stimulation from the tooth root. How much bone remains depends largely on how long ago the tooth was lost and whether other factors have accelerated bone loss.
When bone volume is insufficient, a bone graft may be possible to rebuild the site before implant placement. Not every patient is a candidate for grafting, and it adds time to the overall process, typically several months. This is assessed with imaging during the consultation.
2. Gum Health
Active gum disease is a contraindication for implant placement. Bacteria associated with periodontal disease can affect the tissue and bone around an implant the same way it affects natural teeth, increasing the risk of a condition called peri-implantitis, which is infection around the implant.
Patients with a history of gum disease who have completed periodontal treatment and whose gum health is stable may still be candidates. The assessment looks at current gum status, not just history.
3. Overall Health and Healing Ability
Certain medical conditions and medications can affect how well the body heals after surgery. Uncontrolled diabetes, for example, impairs healing and increases infection risk. Some medications that affect bone metabolism, including certain osteoporosis drugs, may also affect how an implant integrates.
Patients with these conditions are not automatically excluded, but their medical situation needs to be reviewed carefully as part of the treatment planning process.
4. Smoking
Smoking reduces blood flow to the gum tissue and slows healing after surgical procedures. Studies have consistently shown higher implant failure rates in patients who smoke compared to non-smokers. Patients who smoke are informed of this risk during the consultation. Some patients choose to stop smoking ahead of treatment to improve their odds.
5. Age and Jaw Development
Implants are generally not placed in patients whose jaws are still developing, which typically means younger teenagers. Once jaw growth is complete, age on the older end is not typically a barrier. Many patients in their 60s, 70s, and beyond undergo implant treatment successfully, assuming bone and health factors are favourable.
6. Bite and Adjacent Teeth
The position of surrounding teeth and the nature of your bite affects where an implant can be placed and how much stress it will bear during normal chewing. Patients with significant grinding habits, for example, may need a night guard as part of their treatment plan to protect the implant and crown from excessive force over time.
7. Commitment to Maintenance
Implants need ongoing care. Regular hygiene appointments, proper brushing and flossing around the implant site, and not ignoring early warning signs around the implant are all part of keeping it functional long-term. Patients who are unlikely to maintain these habits are counselled honestly about the implications before proceeding.
What the Consultation Involves
At Coast Dental Centre, a dental implant consultation includes a clinical examination, a review of your medical and dental history, and imaging of the jaw to assess bone structure. From that information, the team can advise whether implant placement is appropriate, whether any preparatory steps such as bone grafting or periodontal treatment are needed first, and what the realistic timeline looks like.
Coast Dental Centre offers direct billing to most dental insurance plans. Implant coverage varies significantly between plans, so the team can help patients understand what their insurance includes.
About the Implant Team at Coast Dental Centre
Dr. Ron Brar (BDS, specialty training in prosthodontics, University of Illinois Chicago) has advanced training in implants alongside his restorative dentistry focus. Dr. Rashi Chaturvedi (Diploma in Periodontics and Master’s in Craniofacial Sciences, UBC; Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada) is a board-certified periodontist with training in dental implants and oral and intravenous sedation. Together, they handle implant cases that range from straightforward single-tooth replacement to more complex situations involving bone loss and periodontal history.
Learn more about dental implants in Maple Ridge or about periodontics at Coast Dental Centre.
Book an Implant Consultation at Coast Dental Centre
Call Dental Clinic in Maple Ridge at 604-463-2227 or request an appointment online to discuss your implant candidacy.
- Call Maple Ridge Dental Clinic at 604-463-2227 to book your dental implant consultation in Maple Ridge
- Request an appointment online at Coast Dental Centre to have your bone and gum health assessed by the team
- Ask about direct billing options for dental implants at your first visit to Coast Dental Centre
