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To replace missing teeth, dental implants can provide a stable and functional option. When it comes to age considerations, there are a few things that can be helpful to know before going ahead with the procedure.
Whether someone is younger or older, factors like bone development, healing ability, and general oral health will need to be considered when determining whether dental implants are a suitable option.
In this blog, we’ll go through what to consider about age and dental implants, including the minimum age for the procedure and factors that affect suitability for older patients.
If you would like more information on how age may influence suitability for dental implants, please contact our team at Oasis Dental Studio at either our Gold Coast, Brisbane or Pottsville locations.
Firstly, what are dental implants?
Made out of titanium, dental implants are tooth root replacements for missing teeth. They are carefully surgically placed into the jawbone for functionality and stability.
For the placement of dental implants to be successful, we’ll need to make sure that candidates are suitable. You’ll have a consultation at one of our clinics to ensure that dental implants are the right option for you.
Is there a minimum age for dental implants?
Dental implants aren’t usually recommended for younger patients with structures – like the jawbone – that haven’t finished growing.
The main reason that younger patients may need to wait for dental implants is that the jawbone needs to be fully developed before an implant can be sufficiently placed. If the jaw is still growing, placing an implant too early can lead to complications later on, as the implant won’t be able to move with the natural bone changes like real teeth do. A lack of movement along with these changes could possibly result in issues with alignment or gaps forming around the implant.
Jaw development is often complete by the late teens or early twenties, but this can naturally vary from person to person. Development can usually be assessed using X-rays or other types of dental imaging technology to determine if the bone is mature enough to support an implant.
In cases where a younger patient loses a tooth, such as due to trauma or other reasons, alternative options like temporary prosthetics may be considered until they are old enough for an implant.
Dental implants for older patients
Unlike younger patients, there isn’t necessarily an upper age limit for dental implants – however, age-related factors can still influence the suitability of the procedure.
Older patients may experience reduced bone density, which can affect how well the implant integrates with the jaw. Since the success of a dental implant relies on a strong and healthy jawbone, a bone graft may sometimes be required before the implant can be placed.
Healing can also take longer in older patients, so it’s something that needs to be considered when planning the procedure. Conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes, or other health issues can sometimes affect how well the bone heals after implant placement. However, age alone isn’t a barrier to getting dental implants – as long as there is enough healthy bone to support them and factors like overall health are under control, the procedure can still be a suitable choice.
How bone density affects dental implant placement
Bone quality is one of the most important factors in determining whether dental implants are a suitable option – regardless of age.
After a tooth is lost, no matter what the cause may have been, the jawbone in that area can begin to shrink over time due to lack of stimulation. For this reason, it’s generally recommended to replace missing teeth sooner rather than later, as the longer the bone deteriorates, the more difficult it can be to place an implant.
For patients who have experienced significant bone loss, a bone graft may be needed to rebuild the area before an implant can be placed. This involves adding bone material to the jaw to encourage new growth, creating a stronger foundation for the implant. The healing time for a bone graft varies but is usually a few months before the implant can be placed.
Other factors that can affect suitability for dental implants
At Oasis, we will need to consider a variety of factors to see if you are suitable to receive dental implants. Apart from sufficient jawbone density, these factors include having good dental health, including gum health, and good overall physical health.
When it comes to dental health, gum disease or untreated infections in the mouth can affect the success of an implant, so any existing dental issues will generally need to be addressed before proceeding with the treatment.
To assess your overall physical health, we’ll need to consider any conditions like diabetes or autoimmune diseases, as these conditions can affect healing and possibly increase the risk of complications after the procedure. Medications that impact bone health, such as certain osteoporosis treatments, can also influence whether placing dental implants is a good option.
Lifestyle factors like smoking can also significantly affect the success rate of implants. Smoking slows down healing and can interfere with osseointegration, increasing the risk of implant failure. In many cases, patients who smoke will be advised to stop before undergoing the procedure.
Essentially, we will want to make sure that your oral health will support the implant process and that your body will handle the procedure well.
Dental Implants at Oasis Dental Studio in the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Pottsville
At Oasis, we only use the highest quality equipment to perform our procedures with dental implants. We will only use strong, long-lasting materials to perform our treatments, including durable titanium.
As well as age considerations, we will carefully assess your oral health – including the gums and jawbone – to see if anything will need to be addressed before you can proceed with the treatment process. Your assessment will allow us to determine if dental implants are the most suitable option.
To enquire about receiving dental implants or to ask any questions, please contact our team at any of our locations.
