Who are dental implants suitable for?

In the video: Dr. Dt. Kıvanç Türkoğlu · 3 min 54 s · 21 August 2026 · The video is in Turkish.

This video was published on the Klinik 29 YouTube channel. Klinik 29 YouTube channel · Related page at Klinik 29

In this video Dr. Dt. Kıvanç Türkoğlu explains how suitability for implant treatment is assessed. Age, chronic conditions and medicines for bone loss are among the most common questions.

What the video covers

The two main criteria: the bone where the implant will go and the person's general health.
Conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure are not a barrier on their own; what matters is whether they are under control.
Treatment waits until jaw growth is complete, which varies between people and can be checked with a hand-wrist X-ray.
With bone-loss medicines, whether they are taken as tablets or injections changes the assessment.

Is there enough bone?

An implant needs enough bone around it to stay firm. This is measured on X-rays and, in most cases, a CT scan. If the bone is thin, or very close to the sinus or the nerve canal, the plan changes. Sometimes grafting or a sinus procedure is added, and sometimes a different implant size is chosen.

General health: control is what counts

Having a chronic condition does not rule out implants on its own. What the clinician looks at is how well it is controlled. In diabetes, blood sugar control affects healing. If control is good, implants can be planned. If not, treatment may need adjusting first.

Blood pressure, heart conditions and blood thinners are also discussed. Do not stop these medicines yourself. When needed, a decision is made together with the prescribing doctor.

After cancer treatment

Past chemotherapy does not always rule out implants. Treatment should be finished and blood values should have recovered. Radiotherapy to the head and neck is different. Irradiated bone may heal less well, so the decision is made with the relevant doctors.

Age: the lower limit depends on growth

An implant placed while the jaw is still growing does not move with the neighbouring teeth. Treatment therefore waits until growth is complete. For most people this is around the end of the teenage years, but it varies. When needed, growth can be checked with methods such as a hand-wrist X-ray.

Older age is not a barrier on its own. General health, bone condition and the ability to keep up oral care are what matter.

Medicines for bone loss

Bisphosphonates and similar medicines slow bone turnover. Rarely, they can cause non-healing wounds in the jawbone. The risk depends on the condition being treated and how the medicine is given. It is clearly higher with high-dose drugs given by drip or injection in cancer care, and lower with tablets taken for osteoporosis.

If you have taken one of these medicines, bring its name, start date and how you take it to your appointment. Any break in treatment is decided together with the prescribing doctor.

What to bring to the examination

A list of your medicines, any recent blood tests and earlier dental X-rays or CT scans make the assessment easier. If you already have implants, the implant card or record helps too. Always mention conditions such as heart valve disease, bleeding disorders or pregnancy.

Smoking and oral care

Smoking harms healing and the long-term health of the tissues around implants. Gum disease is treated first. Being able to clean every day matters as much as suitability. For the stages of treatment see the what is a dental implant video, and for detail the dental implant surgery section.

Frequently asked

I have diabetes. Can I have implants?

If your blood sugar is monitored and under control, implants can be planned in most cases. The decision follows the examination and any necessary tests.

From what age can implants be placed?

Once jaw growth is complete. The age varies and can be checked with an X-ray if needed.

I take a bone-loss medicine. Should I stop it?

Do not stop it yourself. Your situation is assessed together with the prescribing doctor.