If you’re living with missing teeth and quietly wondering whether something better is possible, you’re not alone in that feeling. It’s one of the most common places patients find themselves before their first consultation. It’s exactly the right time to start getting real answers.
Missing most or all of your teeth raises real questions about what’s possible, and knowing the candidacy factors ahead of time makes your consultation far more productive.
The factors that matter most involve your bone structure, gum health, overall wellbeing, and how many teeth are affected. Knowing what those factors are gives you a realistic picture before you sit down with anyone.
Full arch restoration is a substantial commitment, and the team at Corey + Then, Dental Implants, Periodontics, Oral Surgery wants you to walk into that first conversation with a clear sense of what to expect, including how your current health, bone structure, and goals will shape the path forward.
Contact Corey + Then to schedule a consultation at our South Portland office.
Bone Density and Gum Health
Dental implants anchor directly into the jawbone, so adequate bone density is one of the most important factors our doctors will evaluate. The implant post needs enough bone around it to integrate and hold firmly over time.
Bone loss after tooth loss is common. It doesn’t close the door on treatment. Bone grafting can often rebuild a site to the point where it supports implants well. The timeline and approach vary by individual.
This is a well-established part of implant planning and a standard element of the process.
Gum health matters just as much. If gum disease is present, it’s typically addressed before or alongside implant treatment so the surrounding tissue can support long-term success.
Corey + Then has deep periodontic expertise in-house, which means evaluating and treating gum conditions happens without a separate referral. You stay with the same team, every step of the way.
How Many Teeth Are Missing
Full arch treatment is generally designed for patients missing most or all of their teeth in one arch. The “full mouth” framing covers cases where the upper arch, lower arch, or both need comprehensive restoration.
Having some remaining teeth doesn’t automatically exclude you. Natural teeth in reasonably good condition can sometimes factor into the overall treatment plan. What makes sense depends on the state of those teeth and how they fit into the larger picture.
An exam is the only way to determine whether full arch treatment is the right fit or whether a smaller-scale approach serves you better. Either way, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of direction than you came in with.
What Candidacy Means for Daily Life
Many people who pursue full mouth dental implants are trying to get back to something specific, a meal with family, a conversation without self-consciousness, a smile they don’t want to hide. Those goals matter, and they’re worth talking about alongside the clinical details.
Dentures that don’t fit well can shift, limit what you eat, and affect how you feel in everyday conversations. Implants are fixed in place and function much more like natural teeth. Foods that became difficult or off-limits because of missing teeth or unreliable dentures are typically back on the table once healing is complete. That’s a concrete change in daily quality of life.
The long-term outlook is also part of what draws patients to this path. Implants are designed to last for many years with proper care, making them a durable investment in both function and confidence.
General Health Considerations
Implant surgery asks your body to heal around a small titanium post, so overall health plays a real role in the planning process. Our doctors will take time to understand your full medical history before treatment begins. Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes are factors our team goes through with you at your consultation. The goal is a clear picture of your options.
Most patients with manageable health conditions are still strong candidates. Bringing a complete picture of your health to that first conversation is the single best thing you can do to move the planning forward well.
Why Choose Corey + Then
Both periodontics and oral surgery are available under one roof at Corey + Then, which is a genuine advantage when bone grafting, gum treatment, and implant placement all need to happen in a coordinated sequence. For patients navigating a complex restoration, that continuity of care makes a real difference.
Dr. Peter Then has been in private practice limited to periodontics and implants since 1995. He founded the Casco Bay Study Club, a Seattle Study Club affiliate, in 2003, bringing an ongoing commitment to collaborative learning and advanced care to the South Portland community.
Dr. Adam Saltz is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, a past president of the Maine Dental Association, and the recipient of the 2020 national Dr. and Mrs. Gerald M. Kramer Scholar Award, which recognized him as the top overall graduating periodontics resident in the country.
Dr. David Chubb earned his dental degree at the University of Adelaide in Australia and completed his oral surgery training at the University of Texas at Houston, bringing an international foundation to the team’s surgical expertise.
Dr. Jennifer Duffy rounds out the team, giving you access to a breadth of specialized experience that’s uncommon in a private practice setting.
Corey + Then works with Cherry and CareCredit to help make treatment financially accessible. Our team makes sure you have the full picture before any commitment is made.
When you’re ready to find out where you stand, contact our team to schedule your consultation and get a clear, personalized picture of your options.
