Am I too Young or too Old for Dental Implants Treatment

Dental implants have proved to be a very efficient solution for missing tooth or teeth. They are also more durable than dentures and look just like real teeth when implanted into the gums. While dental implants serve as an ideal solution for missing teeth, not everyone is the right candidate for dental implants. Age, as well as other factors, play an important role in determining if you are eligible for dental implants or not.

To find out more about your eligibility, book a consultation with an experienced dental practitioner.

What is the ideal age range for dental implants?

Generally, anyone above the age of 18 can receive dental implants. This means that certain restrictions exist for persons younger than the age of 18. However, you should note that these restrictions no longer become general restrictions due to age when the patient gets older. Also, there are also restrictions that exist for adults or people above 18, instead, these restrictions are now based on some other factors concerning health and medical issues other than age.

Who might be too young to get dental implants?

As earlier mentioned, dental implants are not suitable for persons younger than 18 years of age. This is because the success rates of dental implants for people of such age is low. Why does this happen? The major reason for failure in dental implants in young people is the fact that their jaws and bones are still in development. When someone is 18 or older, the jaws and facial bones have reached maximum or complete development, thereby increasing the chances of a successful dental implant. It is also important to note that a young lady’s jaw does not take much time to develop fully, and this means a young man would have to wait for at least a year or two before they can get dental implants.

Can someone be too old for dental implants?

There is no age limit for adults who wish to have dental implants. There have been instances where older adults had successful dental implants without issues. This does not mean that older adults cannot develop complications after a dental implant. Any complication or issue that may arise after an implant procedure in an adult or older person would be related to overall bone structure and health instead of age. If you have healthy, strong bone structure and strong jaws capable of supporting implants, then there is nothing stopping you from getting an implant even as an older person.

Are there other possible exceptions as to who can get implants?

While attaining the age of 18 and above qualifies you to have dental implants, other factors may prevent you from being a candidate. These factors are an issue because they reduce the success rate of the dental implant. Examples of persons who may not be eligible for dental implants irrespective of their age include

• People who smoke
• People with medical issues that slow down the rate of healing like diabetes
• People who have certain cancers
• People who are pregnant or nursing and
• People who need bone grafts.

Fortunately, these groups of people listed above can become eligible if their conditions are treated and if they quit smoking or if their condition or situation is under control.

Before you get your implants, speak with your implant specialist and find out if you are eligible for it or not before you proceed. Oral surgeons and dental practitioners will carry out thorough evaluation to make sure that they don’t run into issues afterwards. If you don’t know where to find a good dental practitioner, ask your close friends and family for recommendations, or you take your search online.

Getting a dental implant is perhaps the best option for you if you have missing tooth or teeth that need to be replaced and you are above the age of 18. However, you must consult an experienced dental practitioner to be sure that it is the best option for you. At Dental Implants London, we have experienced specialists that will help you determine if a dental implant is the best option for you. You can visit us at www.dental-implants-london.co.uk to book a free consultation.