Dental implants are continually growing in popularity as more and more people discover the many benefits they can bring. From maintaining your jawbone structure to enhancing your self-confidence level, implants are a permanent solution for those with missing or damaged teeth. If you believe that dental implants may be the solution you’re looking for, you’ll likely want to know if you’re a viable candidate, including whether there is an age limit for dental implants.

Are You A Candidate For Dental Implants?

While your situation and circumstances may different from another patient’s, there are some factors that your oral surgeon will be looking for. These are some of the most common:

• Good Oral and General Health
• Adequate Bone in The Jaw To Accept The Implant
• Healthy Gums Free Of Periodontal Disease

As you can see, the feasibility of dental implants depends on the health of the gum tissue and underlying jawbone. The Oral surgeon needs a solid bone foundation in which to embed the implant and adequate gum tissue to ensure it stays in place well into the future.

If you have unhealthy gums or signs of bone deterioration, that doesn’t automatically mean you’re not a candidate for dental implants. Rather, it means your oral surgeon may have to work closely with you to craft an ideal dental environment for an implant to be successful. 

How Does Age Affect Dental Implant Success?

As all of us know, our bodies change over time. When we are younger, we grow rapidly. In our later years, growth slows or stops completely and certain parts of our bodies start to wear out. These are all factors the oral surgeon has to take into consideration when deciding whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.

What About Implants for Teenagers And Younger Children?

Throughout our childhood and teen years our mouth is changing shape. As the jaw grows, it moves forward and down in position. If implants are placed in the jaw when this is happening, they will not move with the growth of the jaw. They will appear to shrink back as the other teeth move forward and down. For this reason, implants are not recommended for anyone whose jaw has not fully grown. In general, this does not occur until we are at least eighteen years old. When in doubt about you case, check with your oral surgeon.

What If You’re in Your 60’s, 70’s or 80’s?

The older we are the more likely it is that we will have damaged or missing teeth. The question then comes down to replacing them with bridges, dentures or implants. If significant bone loss is not an issue, something which the oral surgeon can readily assess, implants are an excellent option. For one thing, they prevent further bone loss, something which dentures and bridges do not do. Besides looking exactly like your own teeth, they allow you to enjoy most of the foods you’ve always enjoyed. In short, as long as you do not suffer from any serious health problems that would prevent oral surgery, there is no upper age limit for dental implants. Even if you suffer from bone or gum loss, these issues can often be surgically resolved, making dental implants a possibility. There’s no reason why your smile at eighty shouldn’t be a wonderful as it was when you were eight..

That said, it’s important to note that older patients may experience a slightly longer recovery time than younger patients. Your oral surgeon may wait longer to add the crowns to the implant posts than he or she would with a patient in their 40s. This is meant to give added time for the jawbone to grow around the implant post.

Overall Benefits of Dental Implants

• You’lll Look And Feel Better
• You’ll Enjoy Eating Again
• Results In Natural Looking, Permanent Teeth
• Stops Bone Loss
• Won’t Slip Or Fall Off Like Dentures

If you suffer from missing or damaged teeth, dental implants may be the solution you’re looking for. Schedule your free consultation today with Good Samaritan Dental Implant Institute. Dr. Andrew Slavin and his staff will make sure your oral health, medical needs and concerns are fully addressed. Providing you with the best medical advice available is something you can expect from us. At Good Samaritan your care is our top priority.