What actually decides your suitability
When people ask who can get dental implants, they often expect a long list of reasons to be turned away. In practice the picture is more reassuring. Our AHPRA registered dentists look at four main things: how much jawbone you have, the health of your gums, your general health, and habits such as smoking. Each of these is a factor to weigh, not a simple pass or fail. The only way to know where you stand is a Sunbury dental implant assessment, which at our clinic includes free 3D imaging so that nothing is left to guesswork.
Enough bone to hold the implant
An implant is a small titanium post that sits in the jaw, so it needs enough healthy bone to anchor into. When a tooth has been missing for a while the bone underneath can shrink, and some people simply have a thinner ridge to begin with. This does not automatically rule implants out. Where bone is limited, a graft can rebuild the area, or a shorter or narrower implant may suit better. Placing an implant is minor surgery and carries risks such as infection, bleeding, or, rarely, nerve involvement, which is exactly why the 3D scan and an individual assessment come first. The scan shows precisely how much bone is there before anything is decided.
Healthy gums come first
Implants rely on firm, healthy gum and bone to stay stable, so active gum disease needs to be treated before an implant goes in. Gum disease is common, and having it now does not mean you have missed your chance. It usually means the sequence changes: we stabilise the gums first, then plan the implant once the foundation is sound. Keeping the area clean afterwards matters just as much, and we will show you how.
General health matters too
Some medical conditions and medications affect how well you heal, which is why your dentist will ask about your full health history. Well managed diabetes, for example, is usually not a barrier, although poorly controlled blood sugar can slow healing. Certain medications, such as some used for osteoporosis, need to be discussed rather than assumed to be a problem. No single condition rules everyone out; each situation is judged on its own, and we are happy to coordinate with your GP where that helps.
“I assumed my diabetes meant no, and it turned out to be a yes with a plan.”
Smoking is a risk, not a ban
Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums and is linked in published research to slower healing and a higher chance of implant problems over time. That makes it a genuine risk worth talking about honestly. It does not mean you will be refused. Many people who smoke still have implants placed, and cutting down or stopping around the time of surgery improves the odds. We can point you to support if you would like it. The aim is to reduce the risk together, not to hand you a reason to give up on the idea.
Managing barriers, not turning you away
The thread running through all of this is simple: most obstacles are managed rather than treated as a full stop. Published long-term studies report implant survival of around 95 per cent over ten years, and careful planning at the start is a large part of why. If one factor is not ideal today, there is usually a path that gets you there, whether that is a graft, treating the gums, or better control of a health condition. Suitability is decided for you as an individual, never from a general rule.
What to ask at your assessment. Bring a list of your medications, ask what your 3D scan shows about your bone, and ask what would need to happen if you are not quite ready yet. Honest questions get honest answers.
If your main worry is the procedure itself rather than your suitability, it is worth reading how safe the procedure is before your visit.
Worried about cost? Every range is published and dated, with no hidden extras. View the full price guide →
Common questions
Is there an age limit for dental implants?
There is no upper age limit. What matters is your bone and general health, not the number on your birthday card. Many people in their sixties, seventies and beyond have implants placed. A lower limit does apply, as the jaw needs to have finished growing, usually by the late teens.
Can I have implants if I have gum disease?
Usually yes, but not straight away. Active gum disease is treated and stabilised first so the implant has a healthy foundation. Once your gums are under control and you have a steady cleaning routine, planning can go ahead. Your dentist will confirm the timing at your assessment.
Will smoking stop me getting implants?
Not on its own. Smoking raises the risk of slower healing and later problems, so it is discussed openly, but it rarely means an outright no. Cutting down or stopping around the surgery helps, and support is available if you want it.
How do I find out if I am suitable?
Book an assessment. It includes free 3D imaging that shows your bone and lets our AHPRA registered dentists give you a clear, individual answer. Suitability is always confirmed for you personally, never assumed from a general rule.