Am I Too Old For Dental Implants? No, And Here’s Why!

As we age, our teeth go through a lot of wear and tear, and tooth loss is quite common in older adults. In fact, 27% of all seniors over the age of 65 have lost all of their teeth. 

But if you’ve lost a few teeth and are an older adult, you may be wondering if you are a good candidate for dental implants. There’s a misconception that dental implants are only right for younger patients, but that’s not the case! And in this blog from Mestichelli Barnes Dental Associates, we’ll explain why. Read on, and see why you’re never too old for dental implants.
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Dental Implants Are A Great Investment At Any Age

Whether you’re a young adult, middle-aged, or a senior, dental implants are a fantastic way to replace your missing teeth. Here are just a few benefits of choosing to get implants.

• 30+ year lifespan – Dental implants can easily last 30 years or longer with good oral hygiene, so you may be able to keep your implant for the rest of your life.
  
  
• Minimal special care required – Compared to dentures, it’s a lot easier to care for dental implants, so they’re more convenient.
  
  
• Natural look and feel – Your new tooth will look and feel completely natural, and will be indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
  
  
• Never moves or shifts – Since dental implants anchor tightly to your jaw bone, they will never shift or move when you bite, eat, or speak, unlike dentures.
  
  
• Protects your jaw bone – Dental implants help preserve your jaw bone by stimulating it when you bite and chew, unlike dentures. This can help you avoid the “sunken” appearance that’s caused by jaw bone loss after prolonged denture wear. 
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Bone Grafting Ensures Patients Of All Ages Can Get Dental Implants

So, why do so many seniors think they can’t get dental implants? The main reason is jaw bone weakness. If you have lost a tooth and you have been wearing dentures for a while, the underlying jaw bone will lose mass and become weaker.

This means that it may not be strong enough to properly attach to a dental implant. So, are you out of luck? No! Thanks to modern dentistry, you can get what’s called a “bone graft” to restore the strength of your jaw bone and get a dental implant.

In this process, our dentists in South Philadelphia will create an opening in your gum and jaw tissue, then pack the opening with small bone granules. Over the next few months, your bone will heal around these granules, creating fresh, strong bone tissue that can accommodate a dental implant.

Thanks to bone grafting, healthy seniors of any age can get dental implants. Whether you need one implant or are interested in a full mouth of implants, the team at Mestichelli Barnes Dental Associates is ready to help. 
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Ready To Restore Your Smile In Philadelphia? Contact Us For An Appointment Today!

The team at Mestichelli Barnes Dental Associates is standing by to help you get the treatment you need for a healthy, beautiful, confident smile, no matter your age. If you’re an older adult and interested in Philadelphia implant dentistry, we’re here to help. Contact us online or give us a call at (215) 334-2000 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Mestichelli or Dr. Barnes today.