Restoring Aging Smiles: Am I Too Old for Dental Implants?

December 11, 2024

A senior man happy with his new dental implants

Even if you’d like to get dental implants, you may fear it’s too late for you. Many believe these notable tooth replacements don’t work for folks in their twilight years. However, the truth is that you’re never too old for dental implants; they can help patients of all ages! If you’d like to know why that’s the case, just let your Chesapeake dentist explain things. Read on to learn about dental implants and their non-existent age limits.

Dental Implants Have No Age Limits

Whatever you may have thought, your age won’t disqualify you from dental implants. The treatment can (and often does) work for young and old people.

Indeed, the latest research backs up this truth. A 2004 study once found that implant patients over and under 80 had the same success rate after five years. Similarly, most dentists now believe dental implants are the best option for seniors. Getting them can address the elderly’s increased risk of tooth loss, ensuring they sport full smiles their whole lives.

Qualifying for dental implants has more to do with health, not your number of years. Anyone can get them as long as they have a fairly strong smile.

How Implant Surgery Works for Seniors

With all that said, dental implant surgery does work a bit differently for seniors. The placement process proceeds more carefully and slowly than it would for younger people.

In particular, seniors recover from implant work at a slower rate. That’s only natural – their bodies aren’t as robust and need more time to heal. Still, any post-treatment aches should only last for 3-5 days at most. Patients can even treat such soreness with store-bought painkillers.

The Benefits of Dental Implants for All Ages

Implant surgery may take you longer, but the treatment’s benefits make it worthwhile. After all, dental implants have perks like:

  • Lifelike Results: Dental implants have porcelain surfaces and fuse with your jaw, so they look and act like natural teeth. You can trust they won’t slip or fall like a denture might.
  • A Youthful Face: Tooth loss often leads to facial collapse when left unchecked. The good news is that dental implants prevent and reverse this problem.
  • Easier Eating: Dental implants restore your bite force due to fusing with your jaw. That means they allow patients to eat their favorite tough foods again.

Never fear that you’re too old for dental implants. Instead, see your dental provider for a potential treatment soon!

About the Practice

Troisi Dentistry is based in Chesapeake, VA. Led by Dr. Zane Wayland Berry, our practice helps whole families achieve the smiles of their dreams! You can count on us for preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, all tailored to your mouth’s unique oral needs. We can even restore your grin by placing dental implants here at our office. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (757)-548-1611.