Implants & Age­ing: Why Get­ting Old­er Doesn’t Rule You Out of Treatment

In the past, dentists may have been reluctant to offer dental implants to any patient that doesn’t fit the profile of being a perfect candidate. This could be due to fears of implant failure impacting their success rates, and simply due to a lack of experience and knowledge of how to handle difficult cases.

Today, dentists have more insight into the dental implant process, simply because more treatment plans have been completed. We now know a lot more about how things like age and jaw bone quality will have an impact on the success rate of dental implants.

So, if you’ve been told in the past that you’re unlikely to be able to have dental implants due to your age, it could be worth exploring this treatment plan again. A second opinion could reveal that the treatment plan may be adapted to your needs, allowing you to enjoy this innovative restoration.

Why does ageing impact dental implant suitability?

The dental implant treatment plan requires a healthy amount of jaw bone in order to support the implant. Ageing often leads to a loss of bone density, with women affected more than men due to hormonal changes following menopause.

Tooth loss in the jaw will also lead to a reduction in jaw bone density, as the jaw bone shrinks when it is no longer needed to support a tooth root.

This could also lead to issues with sinuses as they can fall into the gap left following tooth loss.

Thankfully, all of these issues can be addressed with modern implants. It could mean that you need an additional procedure or a modified procedure, but the end result will be a full smile restoration.

Dental implant options for older patients

If you’re thinking about dental implants to replace an existing denture, or if you’re facing the prospect of tooth loss and want to get ahead of it, then the first step will be to book an appointment with an implant surgeon.

Don’t just look for the cheapest option, as this could lead to expensive complications that end up costing you more than the initial treatment plan. Instead, look for an experienced dental implant surgeon with the skill to be able to provide specialist care.

There is a chance you may need to explore other treatment options before you can get started with implants, such as a bone graft to help boost bone density. You could also explore unique treatment plans like the All On 4 dental implant plan.

With All On 4, we don’t use short and wide implants placed directly into the jaw bone parallel to your other teeth. Instead, we use longer implants that are placed at a 40-45 degree angle into the jaw. This allows us to make the most of the bone structure of the rear jaw and cheeks, where density is typically higher.

A unique part of the All On 4 implant plan is that we can place implants on the same day, allowing you to go home with a load-bearing implant. Of course, you’ll need to adjust your diet and give your implants time to heal, but it can save patients from waiting 6-9 months before they can see the results of their restoration.

If you’re ready to say goodbye to dentures and want a permanent restoration as quickly as possible, then All On 4 implants can offer the perfect way forward.

The dangers of overseas implants

You may see offers for overseas implants at impossibly low prices. While this can be tempting, particularly if you are on a budget, we wouldn’t recommend it. The reason is that you might struggle to access follow up care if something goes wrong. And the older you are, the more likely you are to have complications.

If you face complications when you return home, you might not be eligible for aftercare on the NHS, and private care could be expensive. Some dentists are also reluctant to take on patients if they didn’t carry out the initial surgery, as this leaves them in the dark regarding some very important information.

When you start dental implant treatment, it’s essential that you feel confident in the aftercare you will receive, and this is often absent when you go overseas for your treatment. You may struggle to get in touch with your surgeon again, and there is also the risk that the person carrying out your surgery isn’t the surgeon you meet during your consultation.

Final thoughts on dental implants

If you’ve been turned down for dental implants in the past, it doesn’t have to be the end of the road for your restoration journey. Book a consultation to explore all of your options.