Your Age And Dental Implants

Age considerations when considering implant placement.

In previous blog posts, we have mentioned that, in most cases, age is not usually a factor when it comes to the placing of dental implants. It can though, bring different challenges that need to be considered depending on which stage of life you are in. In this blog post, our local implant dentist takes a look at some of these factors.

Youth

In some ways, our teenage years are one of the most likely phases of life to lose a tooth through an accident. Sports and general physical contact is common amongst boys in particular, and tooth loss at this important time of their life could have a devastating affect on confidence. Dental implants would seem to offer an excellent solution here; however, it is important to note that implant placement should not take place until the facial features are fully developed. This typically happens in our late teens, and, therefore, anyone losing a tooth in their early teens would be very unlikely to be suitable for dental implant placement at this time.

This is due to the ongoing growth of the jawbone, into which an implant would be placed. If it was placed too early, the implant could easily move and create problems. Generally, we recommend a partial denture with implants as the eventual goal. These are easily removed and an implant can then be placed once the jaw and mouth are fully developed.

Middle age

Providing that there are no serious health issues, our middle age is an ideal and common time to have dental implants placed. We are generally healthy and our bone structure is still likely to be strong enough to have an implant placed without the need for a bone graft. Even where bone has deteriorated, perhaps when the patient smokes, bone grafts usually take well and provide a stable environment to place the dental implant into.

Old age

Although bone loss and gum disease can present challenges at this stage of life, they are far from insurmountable, and dental implants can bring great benefits to our older Derby patients. Tooth loss is very common at this stage of life and, aside from any physical impact on our appearance, it can present problems with eating a variety of food and can make eating a chore that has to be endured, rather than enjoyed.

Whilst the need for a bone graft is more likely at this stage of life, older patients at the Darren Bywater Dental Implant Centre who have had this procedure have told us how it has significantly changed the later stages of their life for the better.

Whatever, your age, it is widely recognised that dental implants offer the best solution for missing teeth. We will be pleased to arrange a personalised consultation where we will explain and discuss any aspect of dental implant placement that should arise. To book your consultation at our Derby dental implant centre, please call us on 01332 550933.

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