Most adults missing one or more teeth are excellent candidates for dental implants. The ideal candidate has healthy gums, adequate jawbone density, and good overall health that supports healing.
Essential Criteria for Implant Success
Good candidates typically have:
- Healthy gums free from active periodontal disease
- Sufficient jawbone density to support the implant
- Good overall health and healing ability
- Commitment to excellent oral hygiene
- Realistic expectations about treatment outcomes
- Non-smoking or willingness to quit during treatment
Factors that may require further evaluation:
- Diabetes (well-controlled cases often qualify)
- Heart disease or blood-thinning medications
- Previous radiation therapy to the head/neck area
- Certain autoimmune conditions
Age is rarely a limiting factor—we've successfully placed implants in patients from their twenties to their eighties.
Bone Grafting to Make Implants Possible
If you lack sufficient jawbone density, bone grafting can often make implant placement possible. This procedure adds bone material to areas where natural bone has been lost due to tooth extraction, gum disease, or prolonged tooth absence.
During bone grafting, we place specially processed bone material in the deficient area, which encourages your body to grow new bone over several months. Once adequate bone volume is established, implant placement can proceed successfully.
We're Here to Answer Your Questions
Ready to learn if implants are right for you? Call Drs. Kim and Chen today at (410) 235-8525 to schedule your comprehensive implant evaluation. We serve patients throughout Baltimore, including families and professionals near Johns Hopkins University, Hampden, and Roland Park.