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

If you’ve been wearing dentures or are missing all or most of your teeth, you may be considering dental implants. Many patients worry that they may not be good candidates for dental implants because of their age. Many of our patients are in their 70s and 80s when they get implants and are thrilled with the results. If you fear you are too old to replace your teeth with dental implants, think again.

Effectiveness of Dental Implants in Older Patients

Dental implants are as successful in older patients as in young patients. Dental implants can be transformative for those living with uncomfortable or inconvenient dentures or missing teeth. Having a complete set of functional, attractive teeth at any age improves your ability to eat a healthy, balanced diet and gives you confidence. Patients with dental implants are more likely to socialize with others and participate in life because they are not self-conscious about their appearance.

Although elderly patients may not live as long with their implants, even patients in their eighties report being happy with their dental implants, which typically last a lifetime. The oldest patient on record to receive dental implants is in the Guinness Book of World Records – she got her implants when she was 100 years old!

Advantages of Dental Implants for Older Patients

We live longer, healthier lives every generation. Today, many people live into their eighties or nineties. Unfortunately, these individuals may lose their teeth due to dental caries or periodontal disease. When they wear dentures for long periods, their jawbone deteriorates, and their face becomes sunken. Dentures are also prone to slipping and are often uncomfortable. For older patients, frequent readjustments and repairs become the norm with dentures.

Dental implants alleviate these concerns and are far more comfortable. Many older patients also appreciate the convenience of not removing their dentures at night or using special products to keep them clean. Dental implants improve the lives of older patients by allowing them to eat properly and enjoy their friends and family without embarrassment or discomfort.

Success Rate of Dental Implants in Older Patients

Numerous research studies have followed implant patients for up to 20 years. Overall, the success rate for implant surgery was 98%, even 20 years after surgery. The success rate was the same at all ages, with no discernable difference between patients in their sixties and patients in their eighties.

Healing Time for Older Patients

One consideration for older patients considering dental implants is the healing time. Although implants are just as successful for older patients, recovery takes longer. The wait between implant placement and attachment of a permanent dental prosthetic is typically longer to ensure complete healing of the surgical site and full osseointegration of the implants in the jawbone. This could add a month or two to the process.

How Warren Oral Surgery Evaluates Older Patients for Dental Implants

Rather than basing a patient’s suitability for implants on their age, we focus on several factors that impact the procedure’s potential success. We consider each patient’s overall health, oral health, the density and stability of their jawbone, what medications they take, and whether they suffer from certain chronic conditions that may interfere with healing.

If you are interested in dental implants but are afraid you are too old, talk to one of our oral surgeons. They can evaluate your health and determine whether dental implants are the right solution for your missing teeth. Contact our office at Warren Oral Surgery Phone Number 908-222-7922 to schedule a consultation; you may discover that dental implants are the ideal solution regardless of age.