Your candidacy for dental implants mostly depends on your jawbone and overall state of health. The short and simple answer is that dental implants have no upper age restriction or limit. In fact, most patients who receive dental implants are over 60 years old. Some patients undergo a procedure to replace their teeth with dental implants into their 90s.
Am I too old for dental implants? Everything You Need to Know
Many seniors experience tooth loss and undergo dental implant tooth replacement procedures to restore their natural oral function. And the older you are, the more likely you will experience tooth loss or dental degradation that leads to root rot. Dental implants look, feel, and function like your natural teeth to support a restriction-free diet. Many patients in their 60s, 70s, and 80s replace traditional dentures or dental bridges with dental implants.
Are there any age restrictions for dental implants?
You cannot be too old for dental implants, but you can be too young. Dental implants are not suitable for patients with jawbones that are still growing. Most patients must wait until their jawbone is fully developed around the age of 18. Some patients must wait until their early twenties until their jaws fully develop. Your oral surgeon will determine whether you are old enough to get dental implants.
Are there age-related issues that affect candidacy for dental implants?
Though there is no upper age restriction for getting dental implants, age-related health issues often factor into your surgeon’s ultimate determination on whether you are a good candidate. Patients who undergo a dental implant placement procedure must be sedated by IV sedation or general anesthesia. Health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease increase your risk of complications while unconscious during surgery.
Your jawbone health is another main factor in determining if you are a good candidate for dental implants. When you lose a tooth, the jawbone starts to shrink or resorb. In the first year of tooth loss, your jawbone will shrink by 25% in that spot. The more jawbone mass you lose, the harder it is to place the dental implant. If you have missing teeth that have gone untreated for a while, your surgeon might recommend bone grafts before placing the implants.
Are you ready to permanently replace your missing teeth with dental implants?
Implant teeth are changing lives by restoring patients’ autonomy, natural ability, and confidence. Your timeline depends on how many teeth you want to replace and the details of your case. Dental implant procedures can take between six to twelve months for full recovery, and bone grafts often add about six months to the total treatment timeline. Many patients’ treatment timeline is significantly shorter, and you might qualify for same-day dental implants. Call our office to schedule a consultation to determine if dental implants are a suitable replacement for your missing teeth.