These days, age is just a number. Plenty of people continue to stay active and healthy as well as look happy into their 70s, 80s, and beyond. In fact, when many seniors retire, they reinvent themselves or try a new hobby or career. Essentially, you’re never too old to enjoy life or make a change! When it comes to tooth replacement, however, can you be too old for dental implants? This gold-standard option is the closest thing to getting your natural teeth back, but could age disqualify you from it? Learn the answer and more in the content below.
What Does It Take to Qualify for Dental Implants?
Although one of the most advanced treatments in dentistry, dental implants don’t have extremely complicated requirements. Basically, you must have a healthy mouth, good general health, and enough jawbone to surround the post(s).
If you have an oral infection like gum disease, your chances of success plummet. The same goes for uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain medications. Without sufficient jawbone, the implants won’t remain stable and will fail soon after they are surgically placed. Fortunately, for each of these obstacles, your dentist can provide a way to overcome and become qualified for permanent tooth replacements.
Is There an Age Limit for Dental Implants?
No, age does not determine whether a person can get dental implants. This freedom means that you could opt to replace your missing teeth, regardless of how old you are. Just keep in mind that older age tends to make healing take longer, lose bone density more quickly, and not have a lot of time left to enjoy dental implants. If you would like to reap the benefits of dental implants, it’s smarter to get them sooner rather than later.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
As a layperson, you can’t tell whether you have enough jawbone density on your own. In fact, your dentist only knows this information after taking a digital X-ray or 3D CT scan of your oral cavity. Also, you may not see every area of your mouth to diagnose whether you have an oral infection. As a result, the only way to tell if dental implants are a serious possibility for you is to have a consultation with your dentist. This casual but essential appointment can reveal your treatment options, give you a chance to ask questions, and get the process started toward a complete smile.
If you want dental implants, you and your dentist can make it happen—no matter what your age. It’s not too late to regain stability, security, and confidence in your smile again. Talk to your dentist today to see if these bone-embedded replacements are right for you!
About the Practice
At Amherst Dental Group, we welcome patients of all ages, including kids all the way through seniors. Our dentists use the latest technology, including 3D cone beam CT scanners to diagnose and plan procedures with accuracy, making success practically a given. We are proud to help patients achieve their full smile, sometimes decades after tooth loss and sometimes just months later. We invite everyone in the Williamsville area with questions about tooth loss to make an appointment with us online or call our office at 716-689-8882.