🦷

Decision Engine

Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?

About 3 million Americans have dental implants and placement is growing by roughly 500,000 cases a year per AAID patient trends. Answer six questions about missing teeth, bone health proxies, smoking, and medical history to see whether implants are likely a near-term option or whether a pre-treatment workup comes first.

Last updated: May 2026

Implant candidacy combines bone-health proxies, time since tooth loss, smoking and medical-history flags, and the number of teeth involved to estimate whether implant treatment can proceed near-term or whether pre-treatment is likely needed. Near-Term Candidate = Healthy Bone + Recent Loss + Non-Smoker + Clean Medical History. Single implant survival at 10 years typically target 90-95%.

📊 Your visitors see this on your website. Add this tool to your website. Visitors complete it, you capture their data as qualified leads. See plans →

✓ Used by 2,400+ businesses✓ 30-50% visitor conversion rate✓ 60-second embed setup

↑ This is exactly what your website visitors see when you embed this tool. The only difference: their results are gated behind an email capture form, and every input is sent to your CRM.

What is Implant Candidacy Score?

Implant candidacy combines bone-health proxies, time since tooth loss, smoking and medical-history flags, and the number of teeth involved to estimate whether implant treatment can proceed near-term or whether pre-treatment is likely needed. This is a screening tool; final candidacy requires a CBCT scan and clinical exam.

The Formula

Near-Term Candidate = Healthy Bone + Recent Loss + Non-Smoker + Clean Medical History

Each missing piece adds time before placement: bone loss invites grafting, smoking invites cessation, certain medications invite clearance from the prescribing physician.

Worked Example

A 52-year-old missing a single molar lost about 18 months ago, no known bone loss, non-smoker, well-controlled hypertension.

Missing teeth: one, single-tooth case is the most predictable
Time since loss: under 2 years, bone is likely preserved
Smoking: never, healing risk is low
Medical history: controlled hypertension is generally cleared for implant surgery

📌 Likely candidate for a single-implant approach. A consult and CBCT scan confirm bone volume; barring surprises this is straightforward.

Why This Matters

Catch pre-work early

Most patients who are not immediate candidates become candidates after staged pre-work: grafting, smoking cessation, or improved medical control. Knowing the sequence up front sets realistic expectations.

Time changes the math

Bone in a missing-tooth site remodels over the first year. Patients who address tooth loss early avoid larger grafting later.

Common Mistakes

❌ Assuming a denture or bridge will fit the same as implants

Implants preserve bone; conventional dentures accelerate bone loss over time. The comparison is not just cost; it is what each option does to the underlying jaw over a decade.

❌ Hiding medications from the implant surgeon

Bisphosphonates, immunosuppressants, and certain blood thinners change the surgical plan. Disclosing them up front saves a cancellation on the day of surgery.

Industry Benchmarks

Category	Good	Average	Poor
Single implant survival at 10 years	90-95%	85-90%	Below 80% (smokers, uncontrolled diabetics)
Cost per single implant with crown (US)	$3,000-4,500	$4,000-5,500	$5,500+
Healing time before crown placement	3-4 months	4-6 months	6+ months after grafting

Source: American Academy of Implant Dentistry Patient Trends 2025

Benchmark data sourced from American Academy of Implant Dentistry Patient Trends 2025.

Comparing static form deployments to interactive tool deployments surfaces a consistent pattern: businesses that replace static forms with interactive tools like this one see 3-5x more qualified leads, visitors volunteer their data because they get personalized results in return.

See All Decision Engine Tools →

One of the most common mistakes we see when working with clients: assuming a denture or bridge will fit the same as implants. Implants preserve bone; conventional dentures accelerate bone loss over time. The comparison is not just cost; it is what each option does to the underlying jaw over a decade.

Embed This Decision Engine on Your Website

Every visitor who uses your embedded decision engine becomes a qualified lead. Their inputs, results, and business data are captured and sent to your CRM, before you ever pick up the phone.

Lead CaptureCRM IntegrationBranded PDF ReportsIndustry Benchmarks

See Plans & Pricing →Compare Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes someone a good candidate for dental implants?

Healthy bone volume, controlled medical conditions, and non-smoking status are the strongest signals. Recent tooth loss (within the past year) preserves more of the original bone and simplifies placement. The questions here use non-diagnostic proxies; an implant dentist confirms candidacy with a 3D CBCT scan.

What happens if I am not a candidate for implants right now?

Most patients who are not immediate candidates become candidates after staged pre-work: bone grafting, sinus lift, smoking cessation, or improved control of a medical condition. A pre-treatment consult outlines that sequence so you know the realistic timeline before committing to surgery.

How much do dental implants cost in the United States?

A single implant with crown averages $3,000 to $5,000 in the US. Full-arch fixed solutions range from $20,000 to $50,000 per arch. Implant-retained dentures fall between those, typically $5,000 to $12,000 per arch.

Does smoking affect dental implant success?

Yes. Active smoking roughly doubles implant failure risk in pooled meta-analyses, primarily through impaired healing around the implant site. Many implant surgeons require at least two weeks of cessation before surgery and during the early healing window.

How long do dental implants last?

A well-placed dental implant has a 10-year survival rate of 90 to 95% in published studies, with many lasting 20 years or longer. The crown attached to the implant may need replacement after 10 to 15 years; the implant body itself usually outlives it.

Related Tools

😬

Is Invisalign Right For You?

Roughly 13% of US orthodontic starts use clear aligners and the share among adults is closer to 30% per the AAO Patient Census. Answer six questions about alignment goal, case complexity, lifestyle, and budget to see whether Invisalign or traditional braces likely fits your situation, and what to ask at your consult.

🪞

Veneers vs Bonding vs Crowns

Cosmetic dental restorations range from $200 composite bonding through $2,500-per-tooth porcelain veneers, and the right option depends on tooth condition and durability needs more than budget. Answer five questions about your goal, the tooth condition, durability expectations, and number of teeth involved to see which restorative or cosmetic option likely fits.

🩸

Gum Disease Risk Assessment

About 47% of US adults over 30 have some form of periodontitis per CDC surveillance data, and only a fraction are aware of it. Answer ten questions across symptoms, risk factors, hygiene routine, medical history, and lifestyle to see your periodontal risk tier and which factors are driving it most.

🫶

Dental Anxiety Level Quiz

About 36% of US adults report dental anxiety and 12% describe it as severe per Dental Fear Survey data, with the majority delaying care because of it. Answer seven questions about your last visit, common triggers (needles, drills, gag reflex), past experiences, and avoidance pattern to see your anxiety tier and what comfort options usually help.

😬

Do You Have TMJ? Jaw Pain Symptom Quiz

TMJ disorders affect an estimated 11 to 12 million US adults at any given time per NIH NIDCR data, with women diagnosed twice as often as men. Answer seven questions about clicking, locking, jaw pain on chewing, headaches, grinding, ear fullness, and duration to see whether your symptoms fall into low, possible, or likely TMJ territory.

🧒

Is Your Child Ready for Braces?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7, even when no treatment is needed yet. Answer five questions about your child's age, tooth development, presenting issues, parent goal, and any bite concerns to see whether an evaluation now is appropriate or watchful waiting is the right call.

🦷