Essentially, an implant is a piece of titanium placed in your jaw bone, which will act similarly to the root of a real tooth. The dentist will then cap the piece with a crown that is made to look like the rest of your teeth. They are separate surgeries, depending on your mouth, and may need to occur three to six months apart to allow for healing.

It is a great option for most people who want to correct the space left by a missing tooth. However, it is not for everyone.

Here are a few questions to answer when deciding if having a dental implant is right for you.

How old are you? If you’re under the age of 19, most likely an implant is not a good choice. If you’re an adult, you are a much better candidate for this procedure. The jaw bones of young children and adolescents are still growing and changing.

Those too young for an implant can choose another permanent option, like a bridge which eliminates the need for a future procedure, or a semi-permanent option, such as a flipper to replace the tooth until they are old enough for an implant.

What does your Dental Insurance Cover? Unfortunately, dental implants and the care behind them are very pricey and might not be covered by all dental insurance companies.

It’s important to vet your plan prior to beginning treatment. For example, some might consider the procedure cosmetic, similar to breast implant, so they will not cover the cost. However, others will see it as a necessity and will pay for some or all of the procedure.

How is Your General Health? The basis behind having a successful dental implant is the ability to latch onto the jaw bone. If your jaw bone is not strong or not present the implant will not work. People who use tobacco products have trouble healing; people who have periodontal disease need to treat that before considering an implant; and people with diabetes or other similar ailments might have a longer recovery period.

It’s important to consider these issues, as well as your overall health, before committing to an implant. Check with your primary care doctor as well as your dentist before making a decision.

How Many Implants Do You Need? Since dental implant procedure is a bit complicated, it is impossible to have implants take the place of a full mouth of dentures. The fewer teeth you are replacing, the better equipped you are to be a candidate for the procedure. It also might not be recommended if you’re missing more than just a single tooth. It is a decision for your medical team to make on a case by case basis.

Do You Have the Time? The dental implant process can be very time consuming. It can take anywhere from six months to a year for the implant to be finished, depending on your ability to heal and strength of your jaw bone. During this period, it is possible that you will have a gap in your teeth.

If you’re getting married or job interviewing, the implant might not be the best choice for you for right. A semi-permanent option, such as a flipper or a Maryland bridge, could hold you over until you can dedicate the time to the procedure.