“Am I even a candidate?” — it’s the question behind almost every implant consultation, and if you’re in Lincoln wondering about dental implants, this checklist is for you. Work through it honestly. Most people check more boxes than they expect — and the ones they don’t check usually have solutions.
The Good News First
Most healthy adults are candidates. The list of absolute disqualifiers is short, and many common worries — age, missing teeth for years, being told “no” elsewhere — are either non-issues or solvable problems. The only way to know for certain is a 3D scan and a clinical exam, but this checklist shows where you likely stand.
Checklist Item 1: Missing Teeth (or Teeth That Can’t Be Saved)
You need one or more missing teeth — or teeth failing beyond reasonable repair (severe decay, advanced gum disease, cracked roots, failed root canals). If you’re unsure: a tooth that might be savable deserves an honest evaluation. A prosthodontist’s training includes knowing when to save a tooth and when replacing it serves you better long-term.
Checklist Item 2: Enough Jawbone — or Willingness to Rebuild It
An implant fuses with jawbone, so there must be enough to anchor it. Long-missing teeth, gum disease, and denture wear all reduce bone volume — but this is the most common “obstacle” and the most solvable one. Bone grafting (from socket preservation to sinus lifts) rebuilds deficient areas, and grafted bone supports implants reliably. Being told you need grafting is not being told no; it’s being told how. In-house 3D CBCT imaging measures your bone precisely — no guessing.
Checklist Item 3: Healthy Gums — or Treated Gum Disease
Active gum disease must be treated before implant placement — the same bacteria that destroyed bone around natural teeth can attack bone around implants. If you have gum disease: periodontal therapy comes first. Once gums are healthy and stable, many patients proceed to implants successfully.
Checklist Item 4: General Health That Supports Healing
Implant healing is your body building bone around titanium. What matters is control, not diagnosis:
- Diabetes — well-controlled is generally compatible with implants; uncontrolled impairs healing and needs management first
- Smoking — significantly lowers success rates by impairing blood flow and healing; quitting or sharply reducing before and after surgery markedly improves outcomes
- Bone medications — certain osteoporosis drugs (particularly IV bisphosphonates) need careful evaluation; oral versions are usually manageable with planning
- Autoimmune conditions / immunosuppressants — assessed case by case with your physician
- Radiation to the jaw — needs specialist evaluation
Bring a complete medication list to your consultation; physician coordination is routine. Never stop a prescribed medication without medical direction.
Checklist Item 5: Commitment to Oral Hygiene
Implants don’t get cavities, but they need the same daily care as natural teeth — brushing, flossing or water flossing, and regular checkups. Neglect leads to peri-implantitis, an inflammatory condition that can cause implant failure. If home care has been a struggle, say so — the team can design a routine that fits your reality.
Checklist Item 6: Realistic Expectations and Patience
Implant treatment takes months — typically 4–6 for a straightforward case, longer with grafting or full-arch work. The result is worth the wait, but it’s not instant.
What About Age?
Age alone is not a disqualifier in either direction. Older adults in good health receive implants successfully every day — what matters is bone, gums, and medical status, not the calendar. For younger patients, implants wait until jaw growth is complete.
“I Was Told No Somewhere Else”
Worth a second opinion — especially from a prosthodontist. Common reasons for a “no” that isn’t final: “not enough bone” (often solvable with grafting or techniques designed for limited bone); “too complex” (complexity is what specialty training is for); or a general dentist’s comfort level (a reasonable “no” from a generalist is often a “yes” from a specialist).
Dr. Leila Nikpour is a prosthodontist with more than 15 years of dentistry experience, 2,500+ dental implants placed, and a one-year implantology fellowship in France. Complex cases — the ones other offices decline — are her specialty’s home ground. Learn more about her background.
Your Next Step: The Free Consultation
If you checked most boxes — or you’re unsure about several — the next step is the same: a comprehensive consultation with 3D imaging, including a full exam, in-house 3D CBCT scan, honest candidacy assessment (including telling you if implants aren’t right for you), and a complete written plan with transparent pricing if you are a candidate.
Lincoln patients make the short drive to our Roseville office at 5070 Foothills Blvd, Suite 2 — close enough that the handful of visits implant treatment requires is never a burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many checklist items do I need to pass?
There’s no score — it’s a framework, not a test. Even one unchecked item (like active gum disease) just defines the first step of your plan. The consultation turns the checklist into a personalized roadmap.
I’m 75. Am I too old for implants?
Almost certainly not, if your health is reasonable. Bone quality, gum health, and medical status decide — not the calendar. Patients in their 70s, 80s, and beyond get implants successfully.
I smoke. Does that disqualify me?
No, but it’s the biggest modifiable risk factor. Most clinicians strongly recommend quitting or sharply cutting back before and after surgery. Be honest about it — the plan can account for what it knows about.
What if I have diabetes?
Well-controlled diabetes is generally compatible with implant treatment. Uncontrolled diabetes impairs healing, so getting it managed comes first. Bring your recent medical information to the consultation.
Can I get implants if I wear dentures?
Yes — denture wearers are among the most common implant patients, whether for implant-retained dentures or full-arch restoration. Long-term wear usually means some bone loss, which the 3D scan quantifies and the plan addresses.
What happens if I’m not a candidate?
You’ll be told honestly — and told why. Sometimes it’s “not yet” (treat the gum disease, control the diabetes); sometimes an alternative genuinely serves you better. Either way, you leave knowing where you stand.
Dr. Leila Nikpour is a prosthodontist in Roseville with more than 15 years of dentistry experience, 2,500+ dental implants placed, and a one-year implantology fellowship in France. Lincoln patients are welcome for a free implant candidacy consultation with 3D imaging — call (916) 888-1646 or visit 5070 Foothills Blvd, Suite 2, Roseville, CA 95747 (Mon–Fri 9–6, Sat 9–1).