Who Is Not Suitable for Dental Implants? What Can Help

Written by the Lotus Clinic team. Clinically reviewed and approved by Dr Emanuele Clozza, implant surgeon. September 2026.

“Am I suitable for dental implants?” is one of the first questions people ask us, often before they ask about price. The honest answer is that most adults can have implants, but not everyone can have them straight away, and a small number of people are better off with a different option. Here is what can stand in the way, what can usually be done about it, and how we find out for sure.

The short answer

Most healthy adults who have lost one or more teeth can have implants. The things that matter most are whether there is enough healthy bone to hold the implant, whether your gums are healthy, whether your general health allows minor oral surgery and healing, and whether you can look after the implant once it is in. Age on its own is rarely the problem; general health matters far more than the date of birth.

Things that can make implants unsuitable, or mean extra steps first

Not enough bone

After a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area slowly shrinks. If a tooth has been missing for years, or a denture has been pressing on the gum, there may not be enough bone height or width to hold an implant securely. This is the most common reason implants need extra planning.

What can help: bone grafting can rebuild the area, either before or at the same time as the implant. In the upper back jaw, a sinus lift can create room. For people who have lost most of their teeth, full arch treatment such as All-on-4 uses angled implants placed where the bone is strongest, which often avoids grafting altogether. We can only tell which applies to you from a 3D scan, which is why every implant patient at Lotus Clinic has one on our own low dose CBCT scanner.

Active gum disease

Gum disease is caused by bacteria that damage the gum and bone around teeth. The same process can attack an implant, where it is called peri-implantitis. Placing implants in a mouth with active gum disease raises the risk of problems later.

What can help: treating the gum disease first. Once the gums are stable, implants can usually go ahead, and regular hygiene visits keep them healthy. You can read more on our gum disease page.

Smoking

Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums and bone, slows healing and increases the chance that an implant will not fuse with the bone or will develop problems later. It does not automatically rule you out, but it does raise the risk.

What can help: stopping smoking, or at least stopping for a period before and after surgery. We will talk honestly with you about the risk in your case.

Some medical conditions

Conditions that affect healing or the immune system need careful thought. The most common are poorly controlled diabetes, some autoimmune conditions, and recent or ongoing cancer treatment, particularly radiotherapy to the head and neck.

What can help: well controlled diabetes is usually not a barrier. For other conditions, we may ask for information from your doctor or specialist before planning treatment. Please tell us about every condition you have, even if it seems unrelated to your teeth.

Some medicines

A few medicines affect how bone heals. The ones we ask about most are bone-strengthening drugs used for osteoporosis or cancer (such as bisphosphonates and denosumab), blood thinners, steroids and drugs that suppress the immune system.

What can help: many people taking these medicines can still have implants with the right planning and precautions. Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own. Bring a list of everything you take to your assessment and we will discuss it, and speak to your doctor if needed.

Heavy grinding or clenching

Grinding puts strong forces on teeth and implants and can loosen or chip the parts on top of them.

What can help: planning the bite carefully, choosing strong materials and wearing a night guard.

Young patients whose jaws are still growing

Implants do not move with growing bone, so we do not place them until the jaw has finished growing, usually in the late teens or early twenties. Until then, other options such as a bonded bridge or a removable replacement tooth can fill the gap.

Being unable to keep up with cleaning and check-ups

Implants cannot decay, but the gum and bone around them can become diseased if they are not kept clean. If someone is unable to clean around implants, or to come for regular reviews, a removable option may be kinder in the long run.

What if implants are not right for me?

There is always another option. Depending on your situation, that could be a bridge, a partial or full denture, or an implant-retained denture that clips onto a small number of implants. We explain all of these at your assessment so you can compare them. You can read our guides to All-on-4 versus dentures and what dental implants cost, or see our dentures page.

How we check whether you are suitable

At an implant assessment with one of our implant surgeons, Dr Emanuele Clozza or Dr Ivana Matkovic, we:

• ask about your medical history and any medicines you take;
• examine your teeth, gums and bite;
• take X-rays and, where needed, a low dose CBCT scan to measure the bone in 3D;
• explain what is possible, any extra steps you might need, and the alternatives;
• give you a written treatment plan and quote.

The assessment costs £95 (usually £195). A low dose CT scan is £150 for one jaw or £190 for both. You can read more on our dental implants page. Book online or call us on 020 8201 8080.

Lotus Dental and Aesthetics Clinic, 943 Finchley Road, Golders Green, London NW11 7PE. Free parking on our large private driveway.