Dental implants have helped people with missing teeth to restore their natural smiles and boost their self-esteem. Unlike removable dentures, dental implants are designed to replace your missing teeth permanently. They are made from biocompatible metals like titanium that bond with your jawbone to keep the implants firmly attached to the bone.

Can you be too old for dental implants? This is a legitimate concern, given human bones become fragile with age. So, it’s essential to know if you are a good candidate for dental implants. This article explains why dental implants are better for seniors than younger people.

What Are Dental Implants?

Also referred to as an endosseous implant, a dental implant is a prosthesis screwed into your jawbone to replace a missing tooth. A dental implant comprises two parts: an implant and a dental crown. The implant is a screw-like metal rod inserted into your jawbone to act as the tooth root, while the dental crown is the visual prosthesis that resembles your natural tooth.

The implant is made from a biocompatible metal, mainly titanium, because it’s more effective in fusing with the natural bone to form a permanent bond. Unlike dentures, dental implants are designed to replace the missing teeth permanently. This allows you to continue living your everyday life and enjoying your favorite foods without a problem.

How Age Affects Effectiveness of Dental Implants

Aging has its fair share of issues, including gum disease, mouth infections, receding jawbones, tooth decay, and more. These complications result in loss of teeth, forcing the elderly to go for the available teeth replacement solutions like dental implants. But some seniors are hesitant to go for dental implants because they’ve been made to believe that their jawbones aren’t thick or strong enough to support them.

But the truth is that dental implants work in older adults just as well as younger people. The most critical factor that determines the rate of success for your dental implants is your jawbone’s overall health and condition. The implants will be effective and long-lasting, whether 40 or 80 years old, provided you have enough jawbone to support them. Nevertheless, more senior people take longer to recover from a dental implant procedure than younger people. Your dentists will examine your health and physical fitness to determine if you qualify for dental implants.