Last Updated: 22 October 2025
The Comprehensive Guide to Dental Implants Candidacy at Arthur Street Dental, Coffs Harbour
Dental implants boast a global success rate of over 90-95% when placed by qualified practitioners, making them one of modern dentistry’s most predictable and long-lasting procedures. The key question we answer at Arthur Street Dental is: 'Will an implant work for me?'
Dental implants in Coffs Harbour offer a more comfortable, secure and long-lasting way to replace teeth lost from decay, trauma or other dental problems. We detail the essential criteria and how our experienced dental team in Coffs Harbour assesses your unique case using the latest diagnostic technology.
What Are Dental Implants?
The implant system consists of three parts: the titanium post (fixture) placed in the bone, the abutment (connector) and the custom-made prosthetic crown (the tooth).
Implants hold artificial teeth securely, helping you chew and speak more easily, often feeling and functioning like natural teeth.
Am I an Ideal Dental Implant Candidate?
Success relies on the implant integrating fully with your body. To ensure this, you must meet specific health and structural requirements.
The Three Pillars of Dental Implant Success
- Sufficient Jawbone Density and Volume: A strong anchor is needed for stability.
- Excellent Oral Health: Your gums must be free from active periodontal infection.
- Good Overall Systemic Health: Your body's natural healing and immune functions must be strong.
Why Bone Health Is Non-Negotiable
Success relies on osseointegration, which is the biological fusion of your natural jawbone cells with the biocompatible titanium post.
Assessing Bone Volume and Quality
We determine if you have sufficient alveolar bone support using high-definition, 3-D CBCT scans right here at Arthur Street Dental. This critical step maps the density and volume of the bone, as well as the precise location of nerves and sinuses, which allows for high surgical precision and significantly reduces risk.
Addressing Bone Loss with Pre-Treatment Solutions
If we detect bone resorption (lack of bone), this doesn't disqualify you. Procedures like a bone graft or a sinus lift are common preparatory treatments used to build the necessary structure before the implant is placed, often adding 3–6 months to the total timeline.
The Critical Impact of Gum Health
Your gums protect your implant. Infection and inflammation pose the greatest risk to long-term implant survival.
Treating Periodontal Disease Before Placement
Any active infection, such as advanced periodontitis or severe gingivitis, must be completely resolved.
Your Commitment to Long-Term Hygiene
Daily brushing and flossing are essential. We check for a strong commitment to care, as the risk of peri-implantitis (implant-specific gum disease) is tied directly to hygiene maintenance.
Lifestyle Factors That May Affect Candidacy and Healing
Your systemic health and habits significantly influence your body’s ability to heal and sustain the implant.
Habits and Mechanical Risks
- Smoking and Tobacco Use: Smoking is the single greatest controllable factor for implant failure. Nicotine restricts the blood flow crucial for osseointegration, significantly increasing the risk of infection and complications. We strongly advise a cessation plan.
- Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Chronic teeth grinding and clenching places excessive, damaging force on the implant. This issue is typically managed by providing a custom protective night guard to shield the implant.
Age and Jaw Development
- Minimum Age: The jawbone must be fully developed, typically 18 years or older.
- Maximum Age: There is no upper age limit. Candidacy is based solely on your current general and oral health, not your chronological age.
Solutions and Alternatives for Patients in Coffs Harbour
If you are not an ideal candidate today, our Arthur Street Dental team will guide you toward a solution, whether through preparatory surgery or an excellent alternative restoration.
Implant Alternatives for Non-Candidates
If surgical risks are too high or preparatory procedures are not feasible, we will discuss reliable alternatives:
- Dental Bridges: A fixed solution that replaces a missing tooth by anchoring a crown to the adjacent natural teeth.
- Removable Dentures: A non-invasive and cost-effective option for replacing multiple teeth. For full arches, a implant-supported overdenture secured by a few implants offers vastly superior stability over a traditional denture.
Your Next Step: Booking a Personalised Assessment
The only way to definitively answer the question, 'Will a dental implant work for me?' is through a clinical assessment with a qualified professional.
Your consultation at our Coffs Harbour practice includes:
- Comprehensive Clinical Examination
- Advanced 3-D Imaging (CBCT Scan)
- Review of Your Goals and Expectations
- A Clear, Detailed Dental Implant Cost and Timeline Breakdown: We provide a transparent quote, specifying if preparatory treatments are required, so you understand the full investment upfront.
Contact Arthur Street Dental in Coffs Harbour today to schedule your comprehensive dental implant consultation and confidently start your journey toward a secure, complete smile.