Am I Suitable for Dental Implants? A Specialist Implantologist Explains

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are a long-term solution for replacing missing teeth. They act as artificial tooth roots, usually made from titanium, which integrate with the jawbone and support crowns, bridges or dentures.

For many patients, implants offer:

• A natural look and feel

• Improved chewing and speech

• A fixed alternative to removable dentures

• Protection against further bone loss

But suitability depends on several factors — not just age.

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Who is generally suitable for dental implants?

Most adults who are in reasonable general health are potential candidates for dental implants. You may be suitable if you:

• Have one or more missing teeth

• Have healthy gums or gum disease that can be treated

• Are able to maintain good oral hygiene

• Are looking for a stable, long-term tooth replacement

Age is rarely a limiting factor. I regularly treat patients in their 70s, 80s and beyond across Devon and Cornwall who go on to have very successful implant treatment.

Common concerns about implant suitability

“I’ve been told I don’t have enough bone”

This is one of the most common worries — and one of the most misunderstood.

While implants do require adequate bone for support, modern implant dentistry offers solutions such as:

• Bone grafting

• Sinus lift procedures

• Use of shorter or angled implants in suitable cases

Many patients who were told years ago that implants weren’t possible are now excellent candidates.

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“I have gum disease — does that mean implants aren’t possible?”

This is a very common concern, particularly for patients who have been struggling with their teeth for many years.

In cases of mild to moderate gum disease, treatment is usually required before dental implants are placed, to ensure the gums are healthy and stable.

However, for patients with advanced gum disease, there may be another option.

In suitable cases, an All-on-4 or full-arch implant solution can allow us to remove the remaining affected teeth and “wipe the slate clean”, rather than trying to save teeth with a poor long-term prognosis. This means patients do not necessarily need prolonged gum disease treatment before starting implant treatment.

By removing the diseased teeth and placing implants into healthy bone, we can often move straight towards a fixed, stable solution that replaces an entire arch of teeth.

Every case is assessed carefully, but for many patients across Exeter, Devon, Taunton and Cornwall, this approach can be both more predictable and more life-changing than attempting to manage ongoing gum problems.

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“I smoke — does that rule me out?”

Smoking can increase the risk of implant failure, as it affects healing and bone integration. That said, smoking does not automatically exclude you from having implants.

In many cases, reducing or stopping smoking around the time of treatment significantly improves outcomes, and this can be discussed during your consultation.

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“I have diabetes or another medical condition”

Medical conditions such as diabetes do not automatically prevent implant treatment, especially if they are well controlled.

As an implantologist working across multiple practices in the South West, I always take a full medical history and liaise with your dentist or doctor where appropriate to ensure treatment is safe and predictable.

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When extra treatment may be needed

Some patients require additional procedures before or during implant placement. This may include:

• Bone grafting

• Treatment for gum disease

• Removal of failing teeth before implant placement

While this can sound daunting, these steps are often what make implants possible and successful, rather than a reason not to proceed.

Dental implants when many teeth are failing

If you have been told that multiple teeth are affected by gum disease, loose, or likely to be lost, replacing teeth one at a time may not be the best option.

For suitable patients, All-on-4 dental implants can provide a fixed full-arch solution using a small number of strategically placed implants. This approach can often:

• Avoid long periods of gum disease treatment

• Reduce overall treatment time

• Provide a stable, non-removable set of teeth

• Restore confidence and function far more quickly

An implant assessment will determine whether this type of treatment is appropriate for you.

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Why a specialist assessment matters

Every patient is different. X-rays or 3D scans, examination of the gums and bone, and a discussion about your expectations are all crucial parts of deciding whether implants are right for you.

Many patients I see in Exeter, Taunton, and across Devon and Cornwall arrive convinced they are unsuitable — often based on outdated advice or assumptions. A proper implant assessment frequently tells a very different story.