Most adults with missing teeth qualify for dental implants — over 90% of patients assessed at our Brea office receive candidacy approval after CBCT imaging. This guide answers the 5 most common candidacy questions Fullerton residents ask, from bone density to medical conditions to age limits.
Fullerton sits between the college energy of Cal State Fullerton and the historic charm of Downtown Fullerton along Harbor Blvd. It is a city where 40,000+ university students, young professionals near Amerige Heights, and longtime families in Sunny Hills all share one thing: when a tooth goes missing, they want a permanent fix. Dental implants deliver that fix — but the first step is confirming you are a candidate.
Dr. Soboh has evaluated over 4,000 implant candidates across our three Southern California offices. At our Brea location — 8 minutes north of Downtown Fullerton via the 57 — we use cone-beam CT (CBCT) scanning to assess bone density, nerve position, and sinus proximity with sub-millimeter accuracy. That scan takes 15 seconds and answers the candidacy question definitively.
Book a free implant candidacy assessment at our Brea office →
What Are the Requirements for Getting Dental Implants?
Dental implant candidacy comes down to five factors. You do not need perfect health or perfect bone — you need a provider who knows how to work with your specific anatomy. Here is what we evaluate at your consultation:
| Factor | Ideal Candidate | Still Qualify With Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Jawbone density | Adequate bone volume on CBCT scan | Bone grafting adds $800-$3,000 but restores candidacy |
| Gum health | No active periodontal disease | Gum treatment first, then implants in 2-3 months |
| Overall health | No uncontrolled chronic conditions | Managed diabetes, controlled blood pressure — approved |
| Smoking status | Non-smoker | Quit 2+ weeks before surgery; success rate drops 5-10% |
| Age | Jaw growth complete (18+ typically) | No upper age limit — we have placed implants for patients in their 80s |
The critical insight: only 5-10% of patients who walk into our Brea office are told they cannot receive implants at all. The remaining 90%+ either qualify immediately or qualify after a preparatory procedure like bone grafting or periodontal treatment.
Can You Get Dental Implants If You Have Bone Loss?
Yes. Bone loss is the most common concern Fullerton patients raise, and it is almost always solvable. When a tooth has been missing for 12+ months, the jawbone beneath it begins to resorb — losing up to 25% of its width in the first year alone. This is why we recommend implant placement as early as possible after extraction.
For patients with existing bone loss, we offer three bone augmentation approaches:
- Socket preservation graft: Placed at the time of extraction to maintain bone volume. Cost: $500-$800. This prevents the need for a larger graft later.
- Ridge augmentation graft: Rebuilds the width or height of the jawbone ridge. Cost: $1,500-$3,000. Healing time: 3-4 months before implant placement.
- Sinus lift: Required for upper back teeth when the sinus cavity has expanded into the bone. Cost: $1,500-$2,500. Common for patients who lost upper molars years ago.
One Fullerton patient — a 62-year-old retired teacher from the Sunny Hills neighborhood — came to our Brea office after being told by another provider that she "didn't have enough bone" for implants. CBCT imaging revealed she needed a localized ridge graft on two sites. Four months after grafting, Dr. Soboh placed two implants that have been functioning perfectly for over three years.
We accept most PPO dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Aetna, and Guardian. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment so you know your out-of-pocket cost upfront.
Concerned About Bone Loss? Get a Free CBCT Assessment
Schedule Free Assessment →Do Medical Conditions Disqualify You From Dental Implants?
Very few medical conditions create an absolute contraindication for dental implants. The conditions that require careful management — not automatic disqualification — include:
Can Diabetic Patients Get Dental Implants?
Yes. Patients with controlled diabetes (HbA1c below 8%) have implant success rates within 2-3% of non-diabetic patients. A 2024 meta-analysis in the Journal of Dental Research found a 94.5% success rate for implants in well-managed diabetic patients versus 97.2% in the general population. Dr. Soboh coordinates with your physician to confirm glycemic control before scheduling surgery.
What About Patients on Blood Thinners?
Patients on anticoagulants (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) can receive dental implants. We coordinate with your prescribing physician regarding medication management around the surgical date. In most cases, blood thinners are continued at a reduced dose rather than stopped entirely — reducing bleeding risk while maintaining cardiovascular protection.
Does Osteoporosis Prevent You From Getting Implants?
Osteoporosis affects systemic bone density, but jawbone density is assessed independently via CBCT. Many osteoporosis patients have adequate jawbone for implants. The exception: patients taking intravenous bisphosphonates (Zometa, Reclast) require additional evaluation due to a rare risk of osteonecrosis. Oral bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva) carry a much lower risk, and most patients on these medications proceed safely with implants.
Why Do Fullerton Residents Choose Our Brea Office for Implant Assessments?
Fullerton is the cultural and educational hub of North Orange County. With Cal State Fullerton drawing over 40,000 students and the Downtown Fullerton dining and entertainment district pulling in young professionals from across the region, the city blends youthful energy with established family neighborhoods like Sunny Hills, Amerige Heights, and the Raymond Hills area near the Fullerton Arboretum.
Our Brea office at 1800 E Lambert Rd is 8 minutes from Downtown Fullerton — take the 57 North to Lambert Rd, or drive straight up Harbor Blvd. Residents near the CSUF campus reach us in 10 minutes via Nutwood Ave to the 57. Patients in Sunny Hills can take Bastanchury Rd east directly into Brea in under 7 minutes.
As board-certified specialists, Dr. Soboh and Dr. Liswi bring decades of combined implant experience. Dr. Soboh regularly attends continuing education at the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, ensuring every candidacy assessment reflects the latest evidence-based protocols.
Rated 4.9 stars on Google across our three Southern California locations — our patients trust us with their implant decisions because we provide honest assessments, not sales pitches.
See real patient transformations in our before-and-after smile gallery →
Is There an Age Limit for Dental Implants?
There is a minimum but no maximum. Dental implants require that jaw growth is complete, which occurs around age 17-18 for women and 18-21 for men. Below that age, a growing jawbone can shift the implant out of position.
On the upper end, age is not a barrier. Research published in Clinical Oral Implants Research confirms implant success rates above 94% for patients aged 70-89. Our oldest implant patient was 84 at the time of placement and continues to use the implant without issues five years later.
For Fullerton's growing retiree population — particularly in the established neighborhoods west of Harbor Blvd and the single-family home communities near Hillcrest Park — dental implants offer a permanent alternative to the daily hassle of dentures. No adhesives, no soaking, no slipping during meals or conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implant Candidacy in Fullerton
How Do I Find Out If I Qualify for Dental Implants?
Book a free consultation at our Brea office where Dr. Soboh performs a CBCT scan and oral exam to assess your candidacy in a single 45-minute visit. The CBCT scan provides a 3D view of your jawbone density, nerve location, and sinus position — giving a definitive answer on implant feasibility.
What Percentage of Patients Are Approved for Dental Implants?
Over 90% of patients assessed at our office receive approval for dental implants, either immediately or after a preparatory procedure like bone grafting. Only 5-10% of candidates have conditions that make implants inadvisable, and even then, alternatives like All-on-4 or mini implants are available.
Can Smokers Get Dental Implants?
Smokers can receive dental implants, but quitting at least 2 weeks before and 8 weeks after surgery improves success rates from approximately 87% to over 95%. Smoking restricts blood flow to the surgical site, slowing osseointegration. Dr. Soboh discusses a personalized timeline with every patient who smokes.
How Far Is the Brea Office From Fullerton?
Our Brea office at 1800 E Lambert Rd is 8 minutes from Downtown Fullerton via the 57 North or Harbor Blvd. CSUF-area residents reach us in about 10 minutes via Nutwood Ave to the 57. Sunny Hills residents take Bastanchury Rd east in under 7 minutes.
Do You Need Healthy Gums for Dental Implants?
Active periodontal disease must be treated before implant placement, but gum disease does not permanently disqualify you from implants. We provide scaling and root planing or laser gum treatment first. Once gum health stabilizes — typically 2-3 months — implant placement proceeds normally.
What Happens If You Are Not a Candidate for Traditional Implants?
Patients who lack sufficient bone for standard implants have alternatives: mini dental implants ($1,500-$3,000), All-on-4 implants ($18,000-$28,000), or zygomatic implants that anchor in the cheekbone. Dr. Soboh presents every viable option at your consultation so you can make an informed decision based on your anatomy and budget.
Ready to Find Out If You Qualify? Book a No-Pressure Assessment
Book Free Consultation →Dental implant candidacy is not a guessing game — a 15-second CBCT scan at our Brea office provides the definitive answer. Over 90% of Fullerton patients we assess qualify for implants, and for those who need preparatory work, bone grafting or gum treatment creates a clear path forward. We offer free consultations, accept most PPO insurance, and provide financing as low as $99/month through CareCredit.
Call us at (714) 255-0516 or book your free candidacy assessment online. Our Brea office is 8 minutes from Downtown Fullerton — Dr. Soboh and our implant team are ready to give you a straight answer.
