August 29, 2026
If you have one or more missing teeth, you know how they can impact your self-confidence and quality of life. Missing or damaged teeth can also affect your oral and overall health. At Northern Virginia Oral Surgery Centers, we can help you complete your smile and protect your health by placing dental implants.
Many of our patients ask us whether they are good candidates for dental implants. Patients are often happy to learn that most healthy adults are eligible to receive dental implants, though they may need some prep work beforehand. In this article, we will explain the criteria in detail and answer frequently asked questions about dental implants.
Top 3 Criteria for Successful Dental Implant Surgery
1. Sufficient Jawbone Density
Before we schedule your dental implant surgery, we will use a CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scanner to check your jawbone health. The implant anchor is small, but it needs a certain volume of healthy bone to function. If your tooth has been missing for some time, your jawbone may have atrophied due to a lack of chewing stimulation.
Fortunately, we can perform a procedure called a dental bone graft to reinforce your jawbone’s strength and volume before your implant surgery. A grafting procedure involves inserting a ground and sterilized bone medium (often artificial) into an opening in the jawbone. We often cover it with a dissolvable membrane to keep it in place during healing. After 6 to 9 months on average, enough new bone tissue will have grown around the introduced material to place an implant anchor.
2. Excellent Oral Health and Hygiene
To undergo implant surgery, you need healthy gums and no active tooth decay. Many patients can work with a family dentist to resolve these issues before receiving implants. If you do not take good care of your teeth and gums with implants, you may develop a condition known as peri-implantitis. This condition is related to periodontal disease. It affects the supporting tissue around your dental implant, weakening its bond with your jawbone and potentially leading to implant loss.
3. Healthy Enough for Surgery
One of the key criteria for dental implants is that you are physically healthy enough to undergo oral surgery. If you have certain diseases like cancer or uncontrolled diabetes, you may need to look into different methods of replacing your teeth like bridges and dentures. These conditions do not automatically rule out dental implants; we consider them on a case-by-case basis.
4. No Tobacco Use
Nicotine, the active ingredient in tobacco products of all kinds, interrupts the healing process by restricting blood flow throughout the body. Whether you smoke or vape, your healing rate is likely slower. Slower healing means that your implants have a greater chance of failure.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Eat a Varied, Nutritious Diet
Some patients with dentures or conventional bridges find they cannot chew their favorite foods. They may also have trouble with food particles getting stuck around the appliances. With dental implants, you can eat without worrying your restoration will break or fall out. It’s still a good idea to avoid extremely hard or sticky foods.
Attractive Appearance
Most of today’s dental implants are tooth-colored and indistinguishable from natural teeth, restoring your healthy, beautiful smile. A complete smile brings confidence, and you’ll want to share your grin with friends and family after receiving your new implant.
Available in Multiple Types
While single-tooth dental implants are the most common type, we also offer implant-supported bridges and dentures. With implant-supported dentures, you can replace an entire arch of teeth at once with just a handful of anchors.
Learn More About Dental Implants
To explore dental implants further, ask your family dentist or oral surgeon any questions you may have. We are dental implant experts and can walk you through the procedure, the healing process, and other factors that play into your decision. Please call us to schedule your consultation today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implant anchors should last decades, possibly a lifetime with excellent care. The crown, bridge, or denture completing your restoration may need replacement more often due to normal wear, perhaps every 10 to 15 years.
What is the success rate of dental implants?
In healthy patients with good oral hygiene habits, the success rate is over 95 percent. In smokers, people with periodontal disease, and those with chronic illnesses, the rate is somewhat lower.
Are there any upper age limits for receiving dental implants?
There is no upper age limit for implants – older adults can also complete their smiles without the hassle of removable dentures. Oral hygiene and gum disease treatment are even more important among older adults.
Why do I need to take such care with my oral hygiene after getting a dental implant?
Poor oral hygiene can lead to infections such as peri-implantitis and bone loss. If you experience severe complications, you could lose your implant. To protect your investment in time and money, take the best possible care of your implants and your natural teeth as well.
What are dental implants made of?
The implant anchor is usually made of biocompatible titanium and integrates with the jawbone via osseointegration. The restoration that replaces the crown on your tooth could be porcelain, metal, or a combination of both. Material choice depends on various factors, including the implant’s location and your dental bite. If you grind your teeth, a metal or porcelain-over-metal crown may be best.
Northern Virginia Oral Surgery Center offers expert dental implant surgery close to home. Whether you need a single-tooth implant or an entire arch of replacement teeth, we can help you feel more confident in your smile and improve your oral health. Contact us at one of our convenient Northern Virginia locations to learn more.