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.
Smoking cessation changes candidacy
Smokers face implant failure rates roughly double that of non-smokers according to implant survival meta-analyses. A 3-month cessation period before placement meaningfully improves healing outcomes and can shift a borderline candidate into a near-term one.
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.
❌ Skipping the CBCT scan to save cost
A 2D panoramic x-ray shows general anatomy but cannot measure bone width or locate the nerve canal precisely. The 3D CBCT scan costs $150-350 and prevents surgical complications that would cost far more to resolve.
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.