Dental implants in Hollywood have become the gold standard for replacing missing teeth, and for good reason. They look natural, function like real teeth, and can last decades with proper care.
But here’s the catch: not everyone is an automatic candidate for dental implants. Before you panic and swear off biting into apples forever, don’t worry. Many of the conditions that impact implant eligibility are manageable—or even fixable.
Let’s walk you through the factors that may affect your candidacy and what you can do about them.
You might think getting dental implants is as simple as showing up, picking a crown, and flashing your new smile. In reality, your oral and overall health play a big role in whether implants will work for you long-term.
Dental implants rely on healthy bone and gums to stay put. If something compromises your body’s ability to heal or support the implant, that can spell trouble.
Luckily, being told “not right now” doesn’t mean “never.” Many patients who aren’t immediate candidates become excellent ones with a little prep work.
Some medical conditions can increase the risk of complications after implant placement. That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck, but it does mean your dental team needs to be in the loop.
High blood sugar affects healing, which is key to implant success. If your diabetes isn’t well-managed, there’s a higher risk of infection and implant failure.
Elevated glucose levels can cause nerve damage and affect circulation, slowing down your body’s ability to repair itself and fight off bacteria. Therefore, healing takes longer, and the implant may not properly fuse with the bone—a process called osseointegration.
However, if your A1C levels are under control and you're sticking to your treatment plan, implants are still on the table.
Smoking and dental implants go together like oil and water. Nicotine reduces blood flow, which means slower healing and a higher risk of implant failure.
That said, if you’re open to quitting—or at least cutting back—you’ll be doing your implants (and the rest of your body) a huge favor.
If your immune system is overactive (like with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus), or if you take immunosuppressant meds, healing can be more complicated.
Your body may not respond to surgery the way we’d expect; it might take longer to heal or have a harder time fighting off potential infections. Certain medications can also interfere with bone regeneration, which is crucial for the implant to fully integrate.
But this doesn’t automatically disqualify you. We’ll work with your medical team to weigh the risks and create a plan that gives you the best chance of success.
Implants need a solid foundation. If you have osteoporosis or are taking bisphosphonates (often used to treat it), the jawbone might not be as strong or dense as we’d like.
A thorough exam will help us determine if you need a bone graft or other treatments prior to getting implants.
Even if you’re otherwise healthy, the condition of your mouth matters. After all, dental implants are going to live there.
Active gum disease (especially periodontitis) is like inviting a termite to live inside the walls of your house. It eats away at the tissue and bone that hold implants in place.
If you’ve got inflamed or bleeding gums, we’ll have to treat that first before moving forward with implants.
Your jawbone is the foundation for your implant. If there’s not enough of it, the implant doesn’t have much to hold on to.
Over time, missing teeth cause resorption, a process where the jawbone in that area shrinks and results in less support for your new tooth. The longer a tooth has been missing, the more likely this is to happen.
Fortunately, procedures like bone grafting or sinus lifts can help rebuild what’s missing. They encourage your body to regenerate bone, creating a stronger, more stable base for your implant.
We’ll take detailed scans to see exactly what we’re working with and determine the best path forward.
Dental implants are low-maintenance, not no-maintenance. If brushing and flossing haven’t exactly been daily habits, your risk for implant complications goes up.
If you’re willing to turn over a new oral hygiene leaf, implants can still be in your future.
There’s no upper age limit for implants. Whether you’re 25 or 85, as long as your mouth and body are healthy, you could be a candidate.
However, we generally don’t place implants in patients whose jawbones haven’t finished developing, usually under age 18. If you’re younger, we may recommend other temporary options until the time is right.
Certain medications can affect healing and implant success. Blood thinners, corticosteroids, and chemotherapy drugs are some common examples. They can interfere with how your body responds to surgery, either by slowing healing, reducing bone strength, or increasing the risk of bleeding or infection.
These medications aren’t necessarily deal-breakers, but we’ll need to review your full medical history and possibly coordinate with your physician to make sure implants are safe and effective for you.
The key here? Don’t hold anything back. The more we know, the better we can tailor your treatment plan.
If you're told you're not quite ready for implants, that doesn't mean you’re out of options. In fact, you might just need a few steps to get there.
We regularly help patients:
Your smile goals are still within reach—it just might take a detour to get there.
Whether you’re dealing with missing teeth, exploring your options, or just tired of dentures that move when you talk, dental implants in Hollywood could be the right choice for you.
Contact TLC Dental today to book your consultation and get started!
