Dental Implants Over 60
Many people share the common misconception that as they get older, they will inevitably lose all their teeth and be forced to eat only softer foods. Along with this misconception is the belief that the only remedy for missing teeth are removable dentures like those their parents and grandparents wore. Fortunately, unless a person has underlying health problems, they may be an ideal candidate for dental implants regardless of their age.
The term “too old” does not apply to dental implants so patients that were concerned about their age or thought that bone loss or other health concerns were an issue, can likely be candidates for the procedure. Because there is no age limit, it is never too late for dental implant patients to love their smile and resume eating their favorite foods.
Osteoporosis
Causing bone loss and brittle bones, osteoporosis is a bone disease common in older people, particularly in post-menopausal women. Women with osteoporosis have an increased likelihood of losing one or more teeth due to the condition. Due to the related bone loss and its impact on bones, osteoporosis is often believed to be prohibitive for those considering dental implants.
In reality, patients suffering from osteoporosis are equally likely to be candidates for dental implants as those without it. Even patients that have already experienced some bone loss in their jaw may still qualify for dental implants. Dental implants can also prevent future bone loss as nutrition improves with the resumption of normal eating habits.
Life Expectancy Increase
Given that dental implants are more costly than traditional dentures, many elderly patients worry if the cost is justified given the number of years they anticipate having left. The life expectancy of mostly healthy individuals is higher than any previous generation. Nobody can predict how much time they have left but even patients age 60 and 70, could easily live another 20 years or more.
When considering the hassles missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures present, would a patient conceivably want to hassle with either for the next decade or more? While the process of getting dental implants will result in some days of discomfort and several months to heal, the patient will be able to properly chew for the remainder of their live.
Improved Quality of Life
As mentioned, age is not prohibitive when considering dental implants. Even patients as old as 90 have the procedure performed because of the improvement in their quality of life. Regardless of how much time a person has left, being able to enjoy life and eat the foods they enjoy is important.
Patients that choose not to get dental implants, may be forced to modify their diet or overcompensate with their remaining teeth to properly eat. Not only is changing their diet to softer foods or avoiding certain food groups bad for their health, they can have undesirable effects on mealtime. The remaining natural teeth can also be affected if implants are not added which can lead to future dental complications down the road.
Conclusion
As discussed, age will not disqualify someone from consideration for dental implants. Every patient is unique so only a dentist can determine if someone is a candidate for the procedure. But whether the patient has 10 or 30 year left, dental implants can help improve their quality of life and allow them to resume eating the foods they love.