Am I Too Old For Dental Implants?

If you are younger than 18 years old or your jawbone is still growing, you are considered too young for dental implants. However, can a patient be too old for dental implants? When it comes to getting dental implants later in life, it is more about the health of the patient and the amount of jawbone he or she has than it is about their actual age. In fact, the benefits of dental implants can be just as valuable for someone who is 50 years old as they are for someone who is 85.

People are living longer lives, and it is not uncommon for someone to need teeth replacement in their 80’s or even 90’s. For many elderly patients, a traditional partial or full denture is offered as a means to replace badly damaged or missing teeth. While this option can meet basic needs of chewing and restored aesthetics, dentures often come with several drawbacks. Ill-fitting dentures, dietary restrictions and progressive bone loss are consequences that can be especially disruptive for an elderly patient. With dental implants, however, the elderly can enjoy a better quality of life, healthier diet and not have to make frequent trips to the dentist for denture adjustments. In addition, mouth sores and messy adhesive creams can be eliminated.

Is an elderly patient equipped to recover from the dental implants procedure? This is a common concern for those considering dental implants during the last years of life. However, if the patient is in good general health and the procedure was performed by a trained dentist, the recovery is gentle and fast. In fact, recovery from dental implant placement is often significantly quicker and easier than teeth extraction. Temporary discomfort can typically be managed by over-the-counter pain relievers.

Ready to learn your options for dental implants as an elderly patient? Call Dr. Wayne Suway. We offer a variety of options in implant dentistry, including removable overdentures and fixed hybrid models.