Are There Age Limits For Dental Implants?

Dental implants are one of the most popular options to replace missing teeth. They have become popular due to the fact that their success rate is great, especially when installed by highly experienced dental implant professionals like Dr. Ghodsi at Lasting Smiles in central Las Vegas. Dental implants not only improve your smile but also your quality of life, in general. Nevertheless, people often wonder if they are right for them or if there are restrictions or dental implant age limits.

There are some considerations for determining whether or not you are a candidate for dental implants. However, Dr. Ghodsi’s expertise and commitment to utilizing the latest in dental technology and our onsite CT-Scanner have enabled him to perform guided implant procedures with more precision, less patient discomfort, and minimal recovery time. This means that most adults can undergo dental implant procedures successfully. 

The Age Limits of Dental Implants

Lower Age Limit

It is a fact of life that people of all ages can lose their teeth including young individuals, usually due to accidents or illnesses. There is very little doubt that the best replacement options for the loss of your permanent natural teeth are dental implants. However, it is recommended that patients should be over the age of 18 or with a fully developed jaw before considering dental implants in order to minimize the possibility of treatment failure. 

Upper Age Limit

For the most part, dental implant procedures can be successful for patients well into their 80s or even 90s. When a patient’s overall health is taken into consideration and there are no health issues that would negatively impact the success of the procedure or the health of the patient then there is no upper age limit for dental implant procedures. Dr. Ghodsi’s ability to perform the procedures using guided implant surgery, aided by our CT-Scanner, makes the surgical procedure and recovery time period easier and faster. 

The Benefits of Dental Implants for Individuals of All Ages

Improved Self-Confidence 

An active social life is something of interest to all individuals, irrespective of age. Dental implants enable you to maintain your social life because they are very similar to your natural teeth, providing you with the self-confidence, as well as the convenience, you need. For some individuals, even when replacing their missing teeth with dentures or bridges, they still feel self-conscious about eating out or smiling because they are worried that their dentures will move or fall out. However, by replacing missing teeth with dental implants, you can feel confident that your new teeth will not move or fall out under any circumstances.  

Avoid Premature Ageing

The loss of a tooth, if not replaced right away with an implant, can result in bone resorption (bone deterioration). This occurs because the location of the jaw bone where the natural tooth used to be is no longer stimulated by the tooth roots and natural chewing forces. The amount of bone deterioration can be significant, in fact, within the first year, we can lose 25% in bone width! 

What’s more, the surrounding teeth may begin to shift and bone loss may not be limited to the area underneath the missing tooth. The decrease in jawbone strength and the shift of adjacent teeth will result in changes in bite alignment which can cause pain and reduced chewing ability. 

Furthermore, if the bone loss progresses to the bone under healthy teeth, it may cause additional tooth loss and the jaw will begin to become more and more noticeably smaller. Consequently, our facial appearance will also change and we will experience premature aging.

A Low-Maintenance Tooth Replacement Option

If you want a low-maintenance teeth replacement option then dental implants are for you. The maintenance and daily care of your implants are the same as that for your natural teeth. You don’t have to worry about removing them at night to soak in a denture cleaning solution, in addition to brushing. Of course, you won’t need to use dental adhesives to keep them from shifting in your mouth, like you would if you were using dentures. 

Dental implants, just like your natural teeth, require proper oral hygiene by brushing and flossing at least twice a day. By brushing your implants, you protect them and your gums from bacterial decay and periodontal disease. It’s also advisable to visit your dentist or oral hygienist for a preventative cleaning at least twice a year.

If you would like more information about dental implants and dentures, Dr. Ghodsi and the staff at Lasting Smiles Dental Care in Las Vegas can help you find the solution that’s right for you.  Book your consultation with Dr. Ghodsi to find what your options are. If dental implants are the best solution for you, then Dr. Ghodsi will walk you through the procedure and what you should expect.