Every person’s dental situation is different, and only your dentist can determine if you’d be able to get dental implants. If you’re concerned that you may be too old to get dental implants, the good news is that age isn’t a disqualifier for most people. While someone could be too young to get dental implants, it’s unlikely that someone could be too old. Dental implants can dramatically improve the quality of life for people who are missing one or more natural teeth, and they can provide a lifetime of comfort, function, health benefits, and aesthetic appeal.
It’s not uncommon for older people to lose at least a few of their natural teeth, and you might remember your parents’ or grandparents’ ill-fitting removable dentures and fear the same fate of discomfort and awkwardness. Dental implants are permanent and stable, supporting dental restorations that allow their wearers to eat a balanced diet, smile and speak comfortably, and clean their teeth and gums just like they would with natural teeth. People with osteoporosis face a particularly high risk of tooth loss in adulthood, as the bone loss that characterizes osteoporosis affects the bone in the entire body, including the jaw. Patients with osteoporosis can still be good candidates for dental implants, and, in addition to improving the health of the bone, implants can help these patients improve their nutrition, which improves the health of the bone.
Dental implants aren’t an option for young people whose bones are still growing quickly, but any adult in reasonably good health could be able to vastly improve their quality of life with dental implants. Even if you feel like you’re too old for dental implants, think about how much more you’d enjoy your golden years if you could eat the nutritious, delicious foods you love and smile confidently with your friends and family. Dental implants cost more than removable dentures, but dentures offer few of the benefits that implants provide. Implants are anchored securely in the jaw, which means they won’t slip, rub uncomfortably, or make strange noises like dentures often do. Dentures interfere with eating, chewing, and tasting food, and the adhesive they require is bitter and difficult to clean from the gums. Dental implants can be cleaned just like natural teeth, and they can stay securely in your mouth for the rest of your life with the proper care.
Dental implants require a surgical procedure, to place the implant posts in the jaw. Once the bone has healed around the implant, the implant crown or other dental restoration is affixed to the implant. If additional surgeries are necessary to supplement the health of the bone or treat existing gum disease, these procedures must heal as well. As the bone heals around the implant, it fuses to the implant post, which is made of a biocompatible material like titanium. This creates a permanent bond between the implant and the jaw, and it’s key to the success of the implant. This means you’ll have a few months of healing before you can enjoy the benefits of your dental implants, but once they’ve been placed and healed, and with proper care, they’ll prove to be a wise and advantageous investment in infinite ways.