Dental Implant over 60
As you age, the possibility of tooth loss can become higher and higher. If you do lose teeth as you age, you have options for replacing these teeth, including dental implants. Dental implants are metal artificial roots which are implanted into your jawbone. Through your body’s natural healing process, these roots eventually become part of your bone structure. Once they do, a fake tooth prosthesis is placed on the implant post, and you regain the use of your teeth, just as if you have natural teeth.
Can you be too old to receive dental implants?
While it is obvious that the more years and decades go by, the less fit we are, however, this is not the most defining point of view when it comes to dental implants. Just because you are over the age of 60, you are not excluded from considering implants as a solution for all or some of your missing teeth. In fact, the idea that beyond the age of 60 it is no longer worth the trouble to get into dental implants is a misconception. Typically, dentists recommend dental implants regardless of our age, as they provide a stable, aesthetically pleasing, and fixed solution for the reconstruction of teeth. However, there are exceptions when the implant is not recommended. This may be the case when there is complete tooth loss in people over the age of 60, if you have a high loss of bone mass due to smoking or osteoporosis, have unchecked diabetes, or if it has been a long while since you lost your teeth.
Each person and case is different; it is important to talk to your dentist about what solutions are right for you if you are missing teeth.
Dental implants can allow people over 60 to regain a better quality of life in at least four areas:
- diet: undernutrition in people over 60 is a frequent phenomenon, often linked to oral problems and difficulty chewing. Well-adapted dental prostheses allow seniors to eat properly and avoid deficiencies,
- oral comfort: dental prostheses correct imperfections and compensate for the discomfort associated with tooth loss and other disorders,
- aesthetics: seniors are also sensitive to their image and a beautiful smile is important for feeling good about yourself and maintaining social relationships with those around them,
- communication: when one experiences dental pain, they may have to reduce their oral communication with others. Dental prostheses allow contact to be reestablished.
If you are considering implants, talk to your dentist and know that the most important factors to think about when considering implants are:
- the integrity of the gum bone mass; you must have enough quality bone mass in your jawbone in order for the dental implant to become part of the jaw, which is a necessary part of the process
- the technologies used during the treatment
- the quality of the dental implant
- the expertise of the specialist carrying out the implantation
- the lifestyle of the patient: how well you take care of your implant often can dictate how well it takes care of you!