Who Can Get Dental Implants in Hong Kong? A Complete Candidacy Guide for Hong Kong Patients

Reviewed by Dr. Calvin Wong, BDS HKU | Nixon Dental | Last updated March 2026 | Est. reading time: 12 min

How Candidacy Is Assessed

When patients first ask about dental implants at our clinics in Central, Mong Kok, and Jordan, the first question is almost always the same: Am I actually a good candidate? The answer depends on two sets of factors:

• Local factors: The condition of your jawbone and gum tissue at the implant site.
• Systemic factors: Your overall health, medical history, and lifestyle.

A dental implant is a small titanium post surgically placed into the alveolar bone, where it fuses with surrounding tissue over several weeks through a process called osseointegration. Because the implant must integrate with living bone, both the quality of that bone and the body’s capacity to heal are directly linked to success.

No two patients present with the same profile. A 35-year-old non-smoker who lost a single tooth to trauma is a very different case from a 70-year-old with a history of periodontitis and controlled diabetes. Both may ultimately be suitable — but the treatment pathway and precautions will differ.

Candidacy Assessment – 3-Step Process at Nixon Dental

Figure 1 – Nixon Dental 3-step candidacy assessment (Central, Mong Kok & Jordan clinics)

Who Makes an Ideal Candidate?

The following characteristics are associated with the most predictable and straightforward implant outcomes. Not every patient needs to meet every criterion, but the more that apply, the smoother the process is likely to be.

Sufficient Jawbone Density and Volume

The implant requires a minimum amount of bone — in both height and width — to anchor securely. When a tooth has been missing for only a short time, the surrounding alveolar bone is usually still intact. However, after six months or more, the bone in that area begins to resorb because it is no longer stimulated by a tooth root. A 3D CBCT scan allows precise measurement of width, height, and density at the proposed implant site. If bone is insufficient, a bone augmentation procedure can rebuild it either before or during implant placement.

Healthy Gum Tissue

Healthy gums create the soft-tissue seal around the implant that keeps bacteria away from the underlying bone. Patients with active periodontitis — characterised by deep pockets, bleeding, and progressive bone loss — face a significantly higher risk of peri-implantitis if they proceed without addressing the condition first. The good news: gum disease is treatable. With professional scaling, root planing, and where necessary surgical intervention, most patients can reach a level of periodontal health where implant placement becomes safe.

Good General Health

Implant placement is a minor surgical procedure that requires normal wound healing. Patients with well-controlled chronic conditions — including hypertension and type 2 diabetes — are typically suitable candidates. The key word is controlled.

Who Should Proceed with Extra Caution?

The following conditions do not disqualify a patient from receiving implants, but they require additional planning, monitoring, or preparatory treatment. These are known as relative contraindications — they increase risk without making the procedure impossible.

Elderly Patients

Age alone is not a contraindication. Patients in their 70s, 80s, and beyond can be excellent candidates provided their general health supports minor surgery and their jawbone can accommodate the implant. In fact, older patients often benefit most from implants because the alternative — removable dentures — causes ongoing bone loss, discomfort, and difficulty eating. The assessment for older patients places additional emphasis on medical history, current medications, and conditions such as osteoporosis or the use of blood-thinning agents.

Patients with Diabetes

Diabetes affects wound healing and the body’s response to infection — both relevant to implant surgery. Research consistently shows that patients with well-controlled diabetes (HbA1c below approximately 7-8%) achieve implant success rates comparable to non-diabetic patients. Risk rises meaningfully when blood sugar levels are persistently elevated. If you have diabetes, your dentist will request a recent HbA1c reading and may liaise with your physician. In some cases, optimising blood sugar control for several months before surgery is advisable.

Smokers

Smoking is one of the most well-documented risk factors for implant complications. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the surgical site and directly impairing osseointegration. Studies indicate that smokers face implant failure rates roughly two to three times higher than non-smokers. Heavy smokers (more than 10 cigarettes per day) carry the greatest risk. Most dentists recommend ceasing smoking for at least two weeks before surgery and eight weeks afterwards.

Patients with Active Gum Disease

Placing an implant into a mouth with active periodontal disease significantly increases the risk of peri-implantitis. The standard approach is to treat the gum disease first through scaling and root planing, antimicrobial therapy, and sometimes surgical intervention — then reassess once the condition is stabilised. This adds time to the overall timeline but substantially improves long-term implant survival rates.

Implant Candidacy Risk Spectrum at a Glance

Figure 2 – Implant candidacy risk spectrum: from ideal candidates to temporary contraindications

Who Is Not Currently Suitable? (Absolute Contraindications)

A smaller number of conditions represent absolute contraindications — at least at the time they are present. Importantly, many of these are temporary. Once the underlying condition is stabilised, candidacy can be reassessed.

Uncontrolled Systemic Diseases

Patients with severely uncontrolled diabetes, active leukaemia or other blood disorders, or those currently undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy are generally not suitable for implant surgery. Healing capacity in these circumstances is significantly compromised, and the risk of infection, implant failure, and surgical complications is unacceptably high. Once the underlying condition is stabilised — for example, following completion of cancer treatment or improved diabetic control — the candidacy assessment can be revisited.

Recent Head and Neck Radiotherapy

Patients who have undergone radiotherapy to the head and neck within the previous 12-24 months face a specific risk known as osteoradionecrosis, where irradiated bone fails to heal properly after surgery. Implant placement in irradiated bone requires specialist evaluation and is typically deferred for a period after treatment completion. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be recommended in some cases to improve healing potential.

Adolescents (Under 18 Years)

Dental implants should not be placed until the jawbone has completed its growth — around age 18 in most females, and sometimes as late as 20-21 in males. Placing an implant in a still-developing jaw can result in malposition as the surrounding bone continues to grow. For younger patients, temporary solutions such as a removable partial denture or a resin-bonded bridge can maintain aesthetics and function until implant placement becomes appropriate.

Patients on Bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates — prescribed for osteoporosis and certain bone cancers — carry a risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) following dental surgery, particularly with long-term or intravenous use. Patients on oral bisphosphonates for more than three years, or those who have received IV bisphosphonates, require careful evaluation and often a specialist referral. It is essential to disclose all medications during your medical history review. Your dentist may coordinate with your prescribing physician regarding a temporary medication holiday before proceeding.

The Nixon Dental Assessment Process

At Nixon Dental, the candidacy assessment follows a structured, three-part process before any treatment recommendation is made:

1. 3D CBCT Scan: A cone-beam computed tomography scan provides a detailed three-dimensional map of your jawbone — including precise measurements of bone height, width, and density at each potential implant site. It also reveals the position of nerves, sinuses, and any pathology such as cysts or residual infection.
2. Gum Health Assessment: A full periodontal examination checks gum pocket depths, bleeding points, and signs of active disease. If gum disease is present, a treatment plan to address it will be outlined before implant placement is considered.
3. Medical History Review: A thorough discussion of your medical conditions, medications, allergies, and lifestyle factors including smoking status. This information is critical for estimating your individual risk profile and tailoring the treatment plan accordingly.

What If You Don’t Qualify Today?

Not qualifying at the time of assessment does not mean you will never qualify. Many patients who are initially unsuitable can become candidates after preparatory treatment — whether that is bone augmentation to rebuild lost jawbone, periodontal treatment to stabilise gum disease, or a period of improved diabetic management. Your dentist will explain the pathway clearly and outline the steps required before treatment can proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions