Are You Too Old to Replace Your Teeth with Dental Implants?

Getting older can mean losing teeth, but it doesn’t have to mean losing your natural oral function. Dental implants are comprehensive tooth replacements that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. But how old is too old for dental implants?

Learn everything you need to know about how old you have to be to get dental implants. Find out what the requirements are to be considered for dental implant surgery. And see if you are too old to begin treatment.

How Old is Too Old for Dental Implant Tooth Replacements?

There is no upper age limit on candidates for dental implants. Most patients seeking dental implant tooth replacements are between their 60s and 90s. So, if you are wondering whether you are too old for dental implants, the answer is no – you are not too old.

Implant teeth permanently replace the roots of a missing tooth to support your natural bite force. Dental implants can change your life by restoring your natural oral functions, like chewing, speaking, and laughing. Unlike traditional dentures and dental bridges, you can eat a restriction-free diet and never worry about embarrassing slippage.

So, are you too old for dental implants? No! If you are over 18, you are the right age to consider replacing your damaged or missing teeth with dental implants!

What issues affect your candidacy for dental implants?

Although you cannot be too old for dental implants, age does play a role in your candidacy. Dental implant placement procedures require the patient to be sedated by IV sedation or general anesthesia. Age-related health factors, like periodontitis or heart disease, might present too many risks of complications while you are unconscious.

The most common issue that accompanies tooth loss is jawbone resorption. When you lose a tooth, your jawbone stops growing and shrinks by 25% in the first year. Patients need sufficient bone mass for the dental implants to Osseo integrates with the jawbone. If your tooth loss has gone untreated, your doctor might recommend bone grafts before implants can be placed. Talk to your oral surgeon to determine if bone grafts are necessary for your procedure.

Are you too young for dental implants?

If you are under the age of 18, you are probably too young for dental implants. The jawbone continues growing through adolescence until around the age of 18. Even though most patients’ jaws stop getting bigger around the age of 18, some patients’ jawbones grow until their early or mid-twenties. Placing dental implants in a jaw that is still growing might alter your occlusion or healthy alignment of your top and bottom teeth.

If you are a senior citizen with missing or damaged teeth, you are not too old for dental implants. The best candidates for dental implants are in good general and oral health. Call our office to schedule a consultation to determine if dental implants are right for you.

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