To treat your tooth loss, you may be considering dental implants. After all, these prosthetics are great at restoring all sorts of smiles! However, you might fear you’re too old for the treatment. An aging body can only handle so much, right? In truth, though, implant placement can benefit people of all ages. To prove that fact, your Midlothian dentist is here with the evidence. Read on to learn how implants can help even the oldest patients.
How Old is Too Old for Dental Implants?
Simply put, you’re never too old to get dental implants. They heal as predictably in older people — whether 85 or even 90 years old — as they do in younger patients. Furthermore, implants are pretty effective regardless of age. As such, even the elderly can receive treatment and benefit from it.
Current implant science supports this truth. A study done in 2004 found that, after five years, implant patients over and under 80 years old had the same success rates. Plus, most dentists now recommend implants rather than dentures for seniors.
How Does Treatment Work for Seniors?
Before anything else, a dentist will see if a senior patient is healthy enough for treatment. In particular, they’ll look at general health, oral health, bone health, and medication usage. So long as these factors pass muster, the dentist will clear you for implants.
Following implant surgery, the elderly recover as younger people do. It goes more slowly, though, so a dentist may wait four months to place the teeth rather than the usual three. Otherwise, there’s still a period of discomfort for 3 to 5 days. Still, patients can treat this issue with over-the-counter painkillers.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Overall, elders who get implants will experience various benefits. Some of the most common ones include the following:
- No Slipping or Falling: Unlike dentures or bridges, implants are permanent and stay in place. Given that fact, they won’t slip or fall when you eat or speak.
- Better Eating: Implants are durable and fuse with your jawbone, so they restore much of your chewing ability. As a result, they can handle soft and tough foods alike!
- A Fuller Face: Due to fusing with your jaw, implants stimulate the tissues in your jawbone. Consequently, they prevent bone loss and keep your face looking full and vibrant.
In the end, dental implants are for all ages, whether 55, 95, or even older. Therefore, talk to your dentist about treatment in the coming days.
About the Practice
Legacy Dentistry is based in Midlothian, TX. As led by Drs. Tony Nguyen and Mark Desimone, our practice offers personalized dental care for patients. In particular, we perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, not to mention emergency procedures. Our office is also a certified provider of both dental sedation and Invisalign clear aligners. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (972)-723-1148.