“Is it ever too late to get dental implants?”
I'm 50 years old, and I have a missing tooth at the bottom of my mouth. It's been like that for over a decade. I'm thinking about getting an implant for it now, but is it too late?
8 Answers
Never late. Implant is ok for all ages.
It's never too late to get an implant. If there is enough bone to hold the implant, you can have it placed. Your Dentist will need a CT scan to find out if there is enough bone to place the implant. Do not wait.
Hendrik B. Lai
Dentist
Age is generally not a contraindication to having implants. However certain age related diseases may impact on success of implants. Also the length of time since the tooth was extracted and the amount of bone in the area will impact the success rate of the implant. You may need to consider bone grafting/augmentation.
No, it is absolutely not too late. I had a 92 year old patient who had difficulty chewing and had 2 implants placed. He did great and was thrilled he did it. The majority of the implant patients I treat are over 50.
The answer is, it depends. It is extremely rare for a situation to be “too late” for implants, especially at your age. However, depending on the location of the intended implant(s), bone augmentation procedures may be needed prior to placing the implant. It is essential that you be thoroughly evaluated prior to having the implant placed. Over my 25 years, I have seen many implants fail because the location for the implant and the overall health of the patient were not thoroughly evaluated prior to the procedure.
If you are seriously considering this procedure, be sure the surgeon who will be placing the implant and the dentist who will be restoring it (placing a cap, denture, or bridge) have plenty of experience with this. A significant percentage of these procedure go very smoothly and are uneventful. However, problems do occur and you want to be sure your dentist(s) know how to handle any potential problems that may occur. Some problems can be very complex to correct.
I have been restoring implants for many years, but I do not place them. I work with a team of other doctors, all of whom are experts in their particular areas. This team approach greatly increases the chances of success for my patients.
I hope this was helpful.
Keep Smiling,
David M. Kaffey, DDS
If you are seriously considering this procedure, be sure the surgeon who will be placing the implant and the dentist who will be restoring it (placing a cap, denture, or bridge) have plenty of experience with this. A significant percentage of these procedure go very smoothly and are uneventful. However, problems do occur and you want to be sure your dentist(s) know how to handle any potential problems that may occur. Some problems can be very complex to correct.
I have been restoring implants for many years, but I do not place them. I work with a team of other doctors, all of whom are experts in their particular areas. This team approach greatly increases the chances of success for my patients.
I hope this was helpful.
Keep Smiling,
David M. Kaffey, DDS
It is not too late. The amount of bone that you have available in that area has to be evaluated to see if there is enough or perhaps you would need a bone graft to grow more bone. One or X-ray scans should give you the answer. See a capable implant dentist for your evaluation.
It will always be needed when you don't have them. You can gum things or you can get some tea and enjoy eating for the rest of your life.
You can have your implant. Implants ideally are meant to be placed in adults who know what a good service it is, will take care of the implant(s). I know of patients who are in their 90's who are able to take care them. Implants can be placed once the patient has finished the growth process.
