For certain things in life, age restrictions are necessary. Children aren’t allowed to drive until they turn 16, and the legal drinking age in the United States is 21. These restrictions protect those who aren’t developmentally ready or mature enough to handle more serious responsibilities. On the flip side, while there isn’t a specific set age, at some point, many elderly people must admit that they are too old to continue driving safely. But can you officially be too old for some beneficial, cutting-edge treatments? For instance, can you be too old to get dental implants?
Fortunately, any adult with tooth loss, regardless of how old they happen to be, can and should think about getting dental implants. In this post, you’ll learn about the requirements associated with dental implants, why these replacements are beneficial, and how even the elderly can enjoy this option.
What Age Restrictions Are There for Dental Implants?
When it comes to qualifying for dental implants, any patient over the age of 18 who has at least one missing natural tooth can be considered a candidate. Below this age, the mouth and jawbone haven’t quite finished developing, and inserting an implant prematurely could interfere with the patient reaching maturity.
On the other end of the age spectrum, there is no maximum age requirement. The essential minimum requirements are a strong jawbone, a healthy mouth, and general wellness. In other words, whether you’re 18 or 105 or more, you could benefit from getting dental implants!
Are Dental Implants Really That Much Better Than Traditional Dentures?
If you’ve reached a certain age, you may question whether all the time, effort, and money would be well spent on replacing your teeth with implants. You may wonder if they are going to deliver better results than normal dentures.
The short answer is yes. While traditional restorations after tooth loss are far superior to having no dentition at all, these prosthetics typically give you back about 25 percent of your original biting force. Unable to eat raw vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and more with a weak bite, you may have to resort to a softer, more processed, less healthy diet. In contrast, with dental implants, you can continue to enjoy your favorite, more nutritious foods because your bite should be about 75 percent restored. With better nutrition, you can stay active and do things you love.
What Makes Dental Implants Especially Appealing to Older Patients?
Aging comes with many challenges, ranging from more risk for medical issues like arthritis to potentially declining mental health to simply slowing down physically. Initially, it may not seem like a beneficial idea to add undergoing dental implant treatment to the mix.
However, in addition to helping you maintain a healthier diet and a higher quality of living, these prosthetics can also help you stay positive and content. As traditional dentures eventually slip and slide more over time, smiling, talking, and interacting with others can become more difficult or embarrassing. As a result, denture wearers can become more lonely or isolated, negatively impacting their confidence and mental health. Meanwhile, dental implants stay firmly in place, making it easier to stay connected without being worried about teeth.
Don’t let your age take away an amazing opportunity to keep living the life you want. After a certain point, this number doesn’t matter, so it’s never too late to reclaim your smile and your life!
About the Practice
At Soleil Dental in Dallas, Dr. Diana Vazquez and Dr. Jose Aldana are proud to offer start-to-finish dental implant services in the same office. Instead of visiting multiple specialist offices, you can come to us for treatment and continuing care afterward. We even offer several ways to pay for your replacement teeth to make it even more convenient. To schedule a dental implant consultation, visit our website here or call us at 214-227-7155.