Dental implants for older people: am I too old?
Dental implants for older people can be a suitable way to replace missing teeth or secure loose dentures. There is no fixed upper age limit for treatment. Being in your 70s, 80s or beyond does not automatically mean you are too old for dental implants.
I have been placing dental implants since 1988. One question I am often asked is whether someone is simply “too old” for treatment.
Age alone rarely gives me the answer. I look at your general health, oral health, available bone and what you would like treatment to achieve.
Can you have dental implants in your 70s or 80s?
Yes. Being in your 70s or 80s does not automatically prevent you from having dental implants.
Many older people want to eat comfortably and speak confidently. Others simply want to stop struggling with missing teeth or loose dentures.
I plan implant treatment for each patient individually. Your general health, medical conditions and medication are all important. I also consider how easily you will be able to look after your implants.
Your age is only one small part of deciding whether dental implants are suitable for you.
What determines whether an older person can have dental implants?
Several things matter more to me than your age.
I will examine your remaining teeth and gums and assess the bone available for implants. Your bite and the overall health of your mouth are also important.
Your general health matters too. Some medical conditions or medicines can affect healing or change the way I plan treatment. However, having a medical condition does not automatically rule out dental implants.
This is why I take a full medical history as part of every implant assessment.
What if I have lost bone from my jaw?
The jawbone gradually changes after you lose a tooth. If your teeth have been missing for many years, you may therefore have less bone available for implants.
Reduced bone does not automatically mean that you cannot have dental implants.
Modern implant dentistry gives us several options. I may be able to use the bone that remains or consider a different implant position or size. In some situations, bone grafting may be appropriate.
Careful assessment and planning help me decide which approach is suitable for you.
Can dental implants help if I have worn dentures for years?
Yes. Some older patients consider dental implants because they have become tired of struggling with loose or uncomfortable dentures.
Dental implants can help in several ways. They can support fixed replacement teeth. A small number of implants can also help secure a removable denture.
If you have worn dentures for many years, I will assess the bone that remains. We will also discuss what you would most like to improve.
Sometimes a relatively straightforward treatment can make a significant difference to the stability of a denture.
Are dental implants for older people safe?
Your individual health is more important than your age alone.
I will review your medical history and any medicines you take before recommending treatment. If necessary, I may also need information from your doctor or another healthcare professional.
Dental implants are usually placed with local anaesthetic. If you feel particularly anxious about dental treatment, we can discuss whether sedation would be appropriate.
The complexity of implant treatment depends on your individual circumstances rather than simply your age.
Is it worth having dental implants later in life?
This is a personal decision.
For one person, replacing a single missing tooth may be important. Someone else may simply want to eat more comfortably without a denture moving.
I think the important question is what difference treatment could make to your everyday life. We can then consider that benefit alongside the treatment involved.
I have been placing dental implants for nearly four decades. During that time, I have learned that two people of the same age can have very different needs.
I therefore plan treatment around the individual patient, not their date of birth.
How do I know if I am suitable for dental implants?
The best place to start is a dental implant consultation.
At your consultation, I will examine your mouth and discuss your medical and dental history. We will also talk about what concerns you about your teeth or dentures and what you hope to achieve. Where appropriate, imaging can help me assess the available bone and plan your treatment.
I can then explain the options that may be suitable for you. We can discuss the benefits, limitations and alternatives before you decide whether to proceed.
You are not automatically too old for dental implants because you are in your 70s, 80s or beyond. An individual assessment can establish whether dental implants are a suitable option for you.
Dr Phil Bennett BDS Lond, LDS RCS Eng
GDC No. 52604
Dr Phil Bennett has been placing dental implants since 1988 and has placed more than 7,000 dental implants. In 2009, he became the first dentist in the UK to receive the distinction of European Expert in Implantology from the European Dental Association. He currently sees dental implant patients at Taunton Dental Practice in Somerset.