You only have one set of adult teeth, and they need to last until you are 80, 90, or beyond. The actions you take towards your teeth today will either benefit you or harm you in the future. Of course, good dental care starts with seeing a dentist regularly. You should go in for cleanings and checkups, and any other time you think something might be amiss with your teeth. Education is important when it comes to any aspect of your health, so start reading the articles on this website to educate yourself about dentists and dental care. We promise that when you're 80 and you still have your teeth, you won't regret the time spent.
The Tooth of the Matter: A Dental Blog
An Overview Of Dental Implants For Young And Elderly People
Sofia Curtis
Many people wonder whether they are too young or too old for dental implants. Although age may affect dental implant candidacy, multiple other factors come into play. Below is an overview of age-related dental implant issues.
The Young
Dentists don't have a specific minimum age limit for dental implants. Rather, your skeletal maturity determines whether an implant can benefit you. Skeletal maturity is when a person's bones have fully developed.
Skeletal maturity is critical because children's bones change shape, size, and mineralization for years. The changes stabilize at skeletal maturity. Anyone who gets a dental implant before skeletal maturity might experience complications, such as:
- Hindered bone development
- Compromised implant durability
- Increased risk of implant failure
To avoid such issues, dentists determine young patients' skeletal maturity as part of the assessments for dental implant candidacy. The determination takes several routes. For example, the dentist may order a jawbone X-ray to help them assess the bone's shape and size.
The good news is that you don't have to live with a missing tooth even if you haven't reached skeletal maturity. Your dentist can fit you with temporary tooth replacements, such as removable dentures. You can use the temporary appliance until you reach skeletal maturity and can get an implant.
The Elderly
All seniors are good candidates for dental implants regardless of their chronological age. Even an elderly person in their nineties can get dental implants as long as other conditions favor the treatment.
While your elderly status doesn't bar you from dental implant treatment, some age-related issues can affect your candidacy. For example, dental implant treatment requires adequate jawbone density and thickness. However, many elderly people have lived with missing teeth for a long time. The prolonged absence of teeth encourages jawbone deterioration.
Secondly, old age attracts various health issues, some of which affect dental implant candidacy. For example, diseases such as osteoporosis encourage bone deterioration. Those with chronic health problems might also be on medications that affect bone density and wound healing.
Therefore, dentists consider a person's overall health and not chronological age when consulting for dental implant treatment. Even if you are an octogenarian, you will get the treatment if you are in good shape and have an adequate jawbone.
Don't judge for yourself whether you can get dental implants. Consult your dentist for more information on dental implants. The dentist may suggest alternative teeth replacement options on the off chance that you don't qualify for an implant.
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