Who Is a Candidate?
Most healthy adults with adequate bone are candidates. We'll evaluate at your consultation.
At your consultation, we'll review your overall and oral health, the condition of your gums and jawbone, and a few lifestyle factors to confirm the best plan for you.
What we look at
- Overall healthYou should be healthy enough for a minor surgical procedure.
- Bone and gum supportAdequate jawbone and healthy gums anchor the implant. A bone graft or sinus lift can build up areas that need more support.
- Medical conditionsConditions like diabetes or heart disease usually aren't a barrier when well managed.
- SmokingSmoking slows healing and raises the risk of failure, so quitting is strongly encouraged.
- AgeImplants are placed once the jaw has fully matured, typically by ages 16 to 18. There is no upper age limit.

Dental Implants · Hingham Square, MA
Questions
Who Is a Candidate? questions, answered.
Every mouth is different. If your question is not here, call the office and we will answer it directly.
Am I too old for dental implants?
- There is no upper age limit for dental implants. What matters most is your overall health, and the condition of your jawbone and gums, which our team reviews at your consultation.
Can I get dental implants if I have diabetes?
- Diabetes and other medical conditions like heart disease usually aren't a barrier to implants when they are well managed. We'll review your health history at a consultation to confirm the best plan for you.
Do I need enough jawbone for a dental implant?
- Yes, an implant needs adequate jawbone and healthy gums to anchor it securely. If you don't have enough bone, a bone graft or sinus lift can build up the area before or during your implant treatment.
Does smoking affect dental implants?
- Smoking slows healing and raises the risk that an implant won't integrate successfully, so quitting is strongly encouraged before treatment. Our team can talk with you about how smoking may affect your specific case.
How old do you have to be to get a dental implant?
- Implants are placed once the jaw has fully matured, which is typically by ages 16 to 18. Younger patients are evaluated individually to confirm their jaw development is complete.
How do I know if I'm a candidate for dental implants?
- The best way to know is a consultation, where we review your overall and oral health, the condition of your gums and jawbone, and lifestyle factors like smoking. Call our Hingham Square office to schedule an evaluation.
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