Are Dental Implants Safe for People Aged 40 and Above?

Considering dental implants? Are dental implants safe for people aged 40 and above?

Tooth loss happens due to multiple reasons. Some of which include decay, injury, or periodontal disease. Losing a tooth is a painful process with multiple consequences such as indigestion, difficulty in chewing, loss of jaw bone, and difficulty in smiling. To replace lost teeth with artificial ones, bridges, dentures, and dental implants are used.

Dental implants are the most modern and feasible options for substituting lost teeth. An implant is a surgical fixture that acts as a teeth substitute. It is fixed into the jawbone where it attaches itself to the jaw bone in a few months. The dental implant acts as a replacement for the lost tooth and performs chewing function very well.

A well-placed dental implant does not stand out and offers stability to the neighboring teeth. In general, people lose teeth and require dental implants after crossing a certain age limit. Let us see if dental implants are safe for people who are above the age of 40.

What Makes A Candidate Suitable for Receiving Dental Implants?

Dental implants are suitable options for people who have lost a couple of teeth or all of their teeth. A suitable candidate must fulfill the following criteria to receive his dental implants:

• Have good health and there shouldn’t be any underlying medical complications.
• Medical conditions such as diabetes, issues with blood clotting, cancer, weak immune system, and drug abuse make dental implant surgery more difficult. The general well-being of a candidate is very important.
• Have good oral health i.e. the mouth should be free of decay or other periodontal diseases. If there are signs of underlying decay, plaque, or tartar then they need to be treated before installing dental implants.
• Have good oral hygiene.
• Nonsmokers are more preferred candidates for receiving dental implants. If you are a smoker, you will have to quit smoking for a while after receiving your dental implants. Smoking can delay the healing process and the harmful components present in cigarettes can damage the gum and jawbone where the implant has been placed.
• While there is no upper limit for getting dental implants, young adults below the age of 18 are not considered ideal candidates for dental implants. Reason being that their bone tissue hasn’t developed completely and the jaw is in the process of growing.

Suitability of Dental Implants for People Above the Age of 40

• In light of the above facts, it is safe to say that dental implants are safe for people above the age of 40. There is a common perception that age is the most decisive factor when it comes to dental implants. However, age is not relevant when considering receiving dental implants.

A man in his 50’s maybe more suitable for receiving dental implants than someone in his 30s. Good overall health, dental hygiene, and lack of medical complications are important factors to consider when opting for receiving dental implants.

Dental Implants Vs Dentures for Elders

• A few years ago, dentures were the popular choice for teeth replacement for elders. Dentures come with their own set of cons such as discomfort and not providing enough stimulation to the bone which eventually resulted in the loss of jaw bone. The advancement in technology has brought dental implants to the surface.

They offer greater convenience, are able to stimulate the jawbone, and offer a permanent solution to the tooth loss problem. Between implants and dentures, the former is the clear winner.

This information has been brought to you by Celebrity Smiles and General Dentistry. Their offices are located in Westmont, IL.