Biting Back at a Later Age: How Old Is Too Old for Dental Implants?

Tooth loss becomes more common with age, leading many older people to wonder if they can still receive dental implants. The good news is that these modern solutions to tooth loss can work just as long and well for older patients as they can for younger ones, allowing them to enjoy the improved confidence and increased dietary variety that they would with healthy real teeth. Here’s a brief guide to receiving dental implants at a later age.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

Dental implants consist of a titanium post, an abutment piece, and a lifelike dental crown. After a brief consultation to confirm that implants can be a suitable treatment for you, your oral surgeon will administer a local anesthetic to numb your mouth before surgically placing the titanium post directly into your jawbone. The abutment piece will then be attached above the gumline and the dental crown will be anchored on top of it, creating a beautiful and lifelike restoration that works like a real tooth. With excellent care, dental implants can last for thirty-five years or even a lifetime.

Can Dental Implants Improve My Health?

Tooth loss can present a range of health concerns for older people. Missing teeth can make it harder to enjoy the varied and nutritious diet the body needs to stay healthy, and they can also make many people shy about showing their smiles. While traditional restorations like bridges and dentures can be beautiful restorations, they often have difficulty handling tough or crunchy foods like steak or raw vegetables. Dental implants allow patients to speak, smile, and chew normally, making them the ideal form of tooth replacement.

These restorations also do not address the underlying issue of bone loss in the jaw. The teeth keep the jawbone healthy and strong by stimulating it during the chewing process, and the bone structure will begin to atrophy and recede shortly after tooth loss. Since dentures and bridges do nothing to resolve this issue, they need to be replaced regularly as the mouth changes shape. Dental implants, on the other hand, restore this lost exercise to the jaw, which can prevent or even reverse bone loss.

Dental implants are an investment in your appearance, health, and happiness. Consulting with your dentist can determine if implants are right for you at any age.

About the Author

Dr. Jonathan Aguilar earned his dental degree at Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry and continues to expand his skillset through postgraduate coursework. He loves dentistry because it allows him to improve people’s lives while working with them one-on-one in a comfortable and welcoming environment. His office in Denton, TX offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implants. To schedule a dental implant consultation, contact his office online or dial (940) 566-5332.