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Are You a Dental Implant
Candidate?
Most adults missing one or more teeth are candidates — even those told they aren’t. Find out in 60 seconds with our free eligibility check.
- No personal information required
- Honest, accurate results
- Treatment recommendation included
What Makes Someone a Good Candidate?
The three core factors specialists look at when evaluating implant candidacy.
Adequate Bone Density
Sufficient jawbone to support implants — though bone grafting and zygomatic implants can address even severe bone loss.
- Natural bone in upper/lower jaw
- Grafting can rebuild bone
- Zygomatic option for severe cases
Healthy Gums
Gum tissue free of significant active disease. Existing gum issues can be treated during the consultation phase.
- No active gum infection
- Gum disease can be treated first
- Healthy gums support long-term success
Good General Health
Reasonably good overall health that supports healing — not perfect health. Managed conditions are usually fine.
- Managed diabetes is OK
- Heart conditions usually OK
- Smoking can be addressed
I've Been Told I Can't Get Implants"
Most patients told they aren’t candidates by general dentists qualify when evaluated by a board-certified prosthodontist.
"You don't have enough bone"
The most common reason patients are told they can’t have implants. Long-term tooth loss, denture wear, or gum disease cause jaw bone to recede over time.
Zygomatic implants anchor in the cheekbone instead of the jaw, bypassing bone loss entirely. Bone grafting can also rebuild the jaw for traditional implants. Learn about zygomatic implants →
"You have diabetes"
Some dentists believe diabetes prevents successful implants due to slower healing. This is outdated thinking — modern protocols handle this routinely.
Well-managed diabetes does not prevent implants. We coordinate with your medical team to ensure A1C is controlled before surgery. Success rates for managed diabetics are nearly identical to non-diabetics.
"You're too old"
There is no upper age limit for dental implants. Patients in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s receive successful implants regularly.
Age is not a factor — overall health is. Many older patients see life-changing results from implants. The procedure is well-tolerated even in older adults with proper medical clearance.
"You've had failed implants before"
A previous implant failure doesn’t disqualify you from trying again — often the issue was poor placement or planning, not your biology.
Failed implant revision is a Dr. Winfield specialty. Many failures result from inadequate planning, wrong placement, or insufficient bone. A specialist evaluation can usually identify the cause and develop a successful new plan.
How the Free Consultation Works
The eligibility quiz is a starting point. A real consultation gives you definitive answers and a clear path forward.
01
Schedule Online or Call
Book a time that works for you. No commitment, no obligations.
02
3D CBCT Scan
State-of-the-art 3D imaging reveals your bone, sinuses, and exact anatomy.
03
Specialist Evaluation
Dr. Winfield personally reviews your scan and discusses your goals.
04
Custom Treatment Plan
Walk out with transparent pricing, financing options, and a clear plan.
Candidacy FAQs
The questions every patient asks before scheduling a consultation.
Who is a candidate for dental implants?
What disqualifies you from dental implants?
Very few conditions absolutely disqualify a patient from dental implants — and fewer still are permanent. Uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease, heavy smoking, and certain bone-affecting medications such as bisphosphonates can complicate treatment and require careful management, but in the hands of an experienced specialist, they rarely prevent implant treatment entirely. In many cases, addressing the underlying condition first — stabilizing blood sugar, treating gum disease, or completing a supervised cessation program — is all that is needed to make implant treatment possible.
It is also worth noting that the threshold for what qualifies as a disqualifying condition varies significantly depending on who is evaluating you. Many patients who have been told by a general dentist that they cannot have implants are, in fact, strong candidates when assessed by a board-certified prosthodontist with the specialist training to evaluate complex cases. At Winplants in San Diego, Dr. Winfield regularly consults with patients who have been turned away elsewhere — and in many of those cases, a viable path to implants exists. If you have been told you are not a candidate, a second opinion from a board-certified prosthodontist is always worth pursuing.
Am I too old for dental implants?
No — there is no upper age limit for dental implants. Patients in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s successfully receive implant treatment every day, and age alone is never a disqualifying factor. What matters is overall health and bone density, not chronological age. In fact, older patients are often among the most motivated and most transformed by implant treatment — having lived with missing teeth, deteriorating dentures, or compromised chewing function for years, the improvement to daily quality of life can be profound.
Bone density does naturally decrease with age, but this is a manageable clinical consideration, not a barrier. Techniques such as bone grafting and zygomatic implants exist precisely to address reduced bone volume, giving older patients viable pathways to treatment that may not have been available a decade ago. At Winplants in San Diego, Dr. Winfield regularly treats older patients — including those with complex medical histories — and approaches every case with the specialist-level evaluation it deserves. If you or a loved one has been wondering whether implants are still an option, the answer is almost certainly worth exploring.
Can I get implants if I've worn dentures for years?
Yes — and in many cases, long-term denture wearers are among the patients who benefit most from implant treatment. Years of wearing dentures often means years of bone loss, ill-fitting appliances, restricted diet, and the daily frustration of a smile that never quite feels secure or natural. Implant solutions like All-on-X full-arch implants are specifically designed to address this — replacing an entire arch of teeth with a fixed, permanent restoration that does not slip, shift, or require adhesive.
Even patients who have experienced significant bone loss from years of denture wear have proven options. Zygomatic implants anchor directly into the cheekbone rather than the jawbone, bypassing the need for bone grafting entirely and making full-arch implant treatment possible for patients who may have been told their bone loss is too severe for traditional implants. This is a highly specialized procedure that requires advanced surgical training — and it is one of the core areas of expertise Dr. Winfield brings to patients at Winplants in San Diego. If you have been wearing dentures for years and wondering whether a permanent solution is still within reach, a consultation with a board-certified prosthodontist is the most important step you can take.
What if I've been told I don't have enough bone?
Being told you do not have enough bone for dental implants is one of the most common reasons patients arrive at Winplants in San Diego — and in the majority of those cases, a viable path to implants exists. The reality is that bone availability is a clinical variable, not a fixed barrier, and the options available to an experienced board-certified prosthodontist are significantly broader than those available to a general dentist making that initial assessment.
Two procedures in particular have transformed outcomes for patients with significant bone loss. Bone grafting rebuilds jawbone density over time by encouraging the body to regenerate lost bone structure, restoring the foundation needed for traditional implant placement. Zygomatic implants take a different approach entirely — anchoring directly into the dense, reliable structure of the cheekbone rather than the jawbone, bypassing the need for grafting altogether and making same-day full-arch treatment possible even in cases of severe bone loss. These are advanced, highly specialized procedures that require a level of surgical training and case experience most general dentists simply do not possess.
At Winplants, every new patient consultation includes a 3D CBCT scan — a detailed, three-dimensional image of your jaw, bone structure, and anatomy that reveals your true clinical picture and the full range of options available to you. If you have been told you are not a candidate, Dr. Winfield’s assessment may tell a very different story.
Will smoking prevent me from getting implants?
Smoking does not automatically disqualify you from dental implants — but it is a factor that requires honest discussion and careful clinical management. Research consistently shows that smoking reduces blood flow to the gums and slows the osseointegration process, the critical stage where the implant fuses with the surrounding bone. This increases the statistical risk of implant failure compared to non-smokers, and it is important that any patient who smokes understands that reality going into treatment.
That said, smokers receive successful implants every day. At Winplants in San Diego, Dr. Winfield works with smoking patients to develop individualized protocols designed to maximize implant success — which often includes a structured smoking cessation plan in the weeks surrounding surgery, targeted post-operative care, and a closer monitoring schedule during the healing period. The goal is not to discourage smokers from pursuing treatment, but to give every patient the highest possible chance of a successful, long-lasting outcome.
The single most important thing a smoking patient can do is be completely honest during their consultation. Concealing smoking habits from your specialist does not reduce the risk — it simply removes the ability to manage it. Dr. Winfield’s approach is straightforward, non-judgmental, and focused entirely on finding the best path forward for each individual patient.
Continue Exploring
Find Your Treatment Option.
01 / 1 TOOTH
Single Dental Implants
Replace one missing tooth permanently. From $4,500.
02 / 3–5 TEETH
Implant Bridges
Replace 3+ adjacent missing teeth. From $8,000.
03 / FULL ARCH
All-on-X Implants
Full upper or lower replacement. From $22,000.
04 / SEVERE BONE LOSS
Zygomatic Implants
For patients told they “can’t get implants.”
Confirm Your Candidacy in Person.
The quiz is a starting point. A free 3D consultation gives you a definitive answer, custom treatment plan, and transparent pricing.
- Free 3D CBCT scan included
- Time directly with Dr. Winfield
- Custom treatment plan
- No obligation, no pressure