Dental implants will completely replace missing teeth in your mouth. What most people love about them is that they look like real teeth and are far more durable than dentures. However, though they can provide an ideal solution for many people, they may not be right for everyone. Patients need to understand the importance of how age and other issues can impact the possibility of getting dental implants. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure you’re a good candidate for the procedure by consulting with an experienced dental practitioner.
What is the Ideal Age Range?
Ideally, if you are over the age of 18, you could receive implants. While there are restrictions for those who are under the age of 18, there are not generally restrictions due to age once the patient is an adult. If you’re an adult, implant restrictions and limitations are more focused on if you have health issues rather than your age.
Who Might be Too Young?
When you are too young, the success rate of the dental implant procedure goes down. The main reason for this is that your jaws aren’t fully developed until you reach young adulthood. Most oral surgeons will not recommend implants until a patient is 18 or older. By that time, your jaws and facial bones have reached full development. Equally important to note is that, in some cases, a young man’s jaw may take more time as compared to a young lady’s jaw. As such, some guys have to wait another year or two for the procedure depending on their rate of development.
Can Someone be Too Old?
Once you become an adult, there’s no age limit for dental implants. Many people get implants when they’re older without any issue. If seniors run into issues concerning implants, they usually have more to do with overall health and bone structure. If you’re healthy and your jaw can support implants, you may be eligible for dental implants even as a senior.
Are There Any Exceptions?
While anyone over the age of 18 is a potential candidate for dental implants, there are some exceptions. Most people may not know that there are factors that can decrease the potential success rate of implants. For instance, smokers and people with various medical issues like diabetes may not be able to get implants. Also, patients who are pregnant or nursing, need bone grafts, or have certain cancers may not initially be eligible. However, after they’ve been treated to ensure their condition is under control, and health is restored, they can consider implants.
Ultimately, if you are old enough for implants, speak with your general dentist about referrals in your local area. Consulting with an implant specialist will help you determine if the chances of implantation will be highly successful for you. Most ideal candidates are likely to have success with implants. Oral surgeons and dental practitioners always want to make sure you don’t run into any issues or complications with implants. This is why a proper evaluation is so very important.
Where Can I Be Evaluated?
If you need to replace missing teeth and you’re over the age of 18, implants might be the right option for you. You should consult with an experienced dental practitioner to discuss your options and learn if implants are a viable solution.
The highly-trained oral maxillofacial surgeons of OMSH in Houston can provide experienced care and are highly skilled at installing dental implants. Contact OMSH to set up an initial consultation, or call us at 832-509-4505 for more information.
