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Most healthy adults can receive dental implant treatment. However there are some exceptions that affect your eligibility for surgery or long-term treatment success.

• Poor oral health – For people with untreated gum disease (periodontitis), dental implant treatment is often delayed until the disease can be controlled and gums are brought back to health.

• Bone loss – A healthy jaw bone is needed to hold dental implants in place. For people who have suffered jaw bone loss or who lack density in their jaw bone, a bone grafting procedure may be recommended to build up enough bone to hold implants in place. If you are replacing a full arch of teeth with All-On-4® implants, Dr Norcross may discuss pterygoid or zygomatic dental implants with you.

• Smoking – Smoking impairs healing and may prevent the implant from fusing with the jaw bone after surgery. This leads to dental implant failure. Smoking can also affect integration between the implant and jaw bone over time.

• Pregnancy – General anaesthesia (if needed) and other medications may exclude pregnant women from having dental implant surgery as it may risk the unborn baby’s health in some cases.

• Medical conditions – Uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of complications with dental implant surgery. This includes a higher risk of infection and delayed healing post-surgery.

• Excessive alcohol use – Alcohol can inhibit dental implants from properly fusing with the jaw bone, causing implant failure.

• Drug abuse – If the patient has dietary problems, fails to follow treatment instructions or fails to maintain proper oral hygiene they may not be suitable for dental implants.

• Medical history & medications – Certain allergies, blood disorders, heart problems and blood-thinning medications taken on a regular basis can influence treatment success and need to be discussed with the dentist to determine your eligibility for dental implants.