Is It Too Late for New Teeth? How Old Is Too Old for Dental Implants?

Older people have higher rates of oral health issues like tooth loss and gum disease, and many of them may worry that they have aged out of their chance to restore their smiles with beautifully lifelike and amazingly functional dental implants. Fortunately, this wonderful tooth loss solution can be safely placed in adults at any age provided that they meet certain health criteria. Here’s a brief guide to what dental implant placement looks like for older adults as well as a few tips to help you achieve remarkable results.

Why Should I Consider Dental Implants?

While traditional dentures and dental bridges are popular ways to replace lost teeth, they must eventually be replaced and cannot match the oral and overall health benefits provided by dental implants. Dentures that don’t fit well can slide about in the mouth, making it harder to speak clearly and chew thoroughly, and they may even cause embarrassment by falling out during social situations. Dental bridges can break down and fail due to factors such as the pressures of chewing, and this can injure the teeth wearing the crowns that support them.

Traditional restorations also fail to address the underlying issue of bone loss in the jaw. Briefly after tooth loss, the bone mass that supported it will begin to recede, which can pull the adjacent teeth out of alignment and make them more vulnerable to infection and injury. Further tooth loss will accelerate this process, and neglecting to address this issue can eventually leave the mouth with a withered and sunken appearance.

What Is Getting Dental Implants Like?

The first step to getting dental implants is to have a consultation with your dentist. During this meeting, they will evaluate your oral health and discuss your goals to determine your candidacy before developing an appropriate treatment plan. If you aren’t ready for implants yet, you may be able to become a good candidate later after undergoing preliminary treatments such as gum disease therapy or bone grafts to reinforce your jaw.

Dental implant placement surgery is only performed after the patient has been sufficiently numbed to render the procedure painless, and most patients report that the process is much more comfortable overall than having a tooth extracted. You may experience some discomfort for three to five days afterward, but this can be easily managed by taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers as directed. You can expect to receive your restoration several months later after your gums have had enough time to heal.

Dental implants function, look, and feel just like real teeth, and they can last a lifetime with excellent care. After a brief consultation, your dentist will be able to tell if you can be a good candidate for these safe and effective restorations.

About the Practice

Frandsen Dental of West Jordan offers exemplary oral health services to West Jordan and its nearby areas. Led by Drs. Benjamin Cluff, Brad Richens, Brian Frandsen, and Dan Dansie, the staff provides excellent customer service with genuine compassion in a friendly environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implant services. To book your dental implant consultation, contact the office online or dial (801) 890-0030.