Is There an Ideal Age to Get Dental Implants?

Missing teeth is more than an oral health problem. It can impact self-esteem, making some feel embarrassed or ashamed. Fortunately, dental implants are available to replace missing teeth and restore both dental function and confidence.   

Because tooth loss affects people of all ages, many patients wonder if they are either too young or too old for dental implant treatment. The good news is, there really isn’t an ideal age for getting dental implants, but there are some things to consider when determining candidacy. 

At Gooch Family Dental, our team provides consultations for dental implants in the Birmingham, AL, area. Schedule a consultation if you would like to find out if dental implants are right for you. 

About Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed directly into the jawbone. One or more implants may be placed and paired with different restorations, including dental crowns, implant-supported bridges, or implant-supported dentures, to replace individual or multiple teeth.

With dental implants, a secure bond is formed as the jawbone grows and fuses to the implant. This makes dental implants feel and look like the natural teeth.  

Is There an Ideal Age for Dental Implants?

There really isn’t an ideal age for dental implant treatment. Patients of nearly any age who are suffering from tooth loss can benefit from undergoing dental implant treatment.

When determining candidacy for dental implants, age is less of a concern than the structure of the jaw and the overall health of the patient. The jaw needs to be fully developed with sufficient bone tissue to support implants, and the patient needs to be healthy enough to undergo surgery.  

Age Considerations

Although there isn’t an ideal age for getting dental implants, dental implants are typically not performed on individuals under the age of 18. This is because the jaw bone is usually still developing at this time. Placing dental implants too early can lead to problems later and won’t provide the desired long term results. 

Young adults over 18 may be considered candidates for dental implants if their jawbone has fully matured, which can be determined through x-rays and imaging. 

With this in mind, patients who are in their mid-twenties or older with tooth loss should consider getting dental implants sooner rather than later to protect their oral health and prevent bone loss that can occur in the jaw when teeth are missing. 

Dental Implants Treatment Has No Upper Age Limit

Tooth loss is a common problem with age. Fortunately, there is no upper age limit for receiving dental implants. 

Patients in their 60s are often excellent candidates for dental implants but so are many patients over 70. Patients in their 80s and 90s can also benefit from dental implant surgery provided they are healthy enough to undergo surgery and have sufficient jawbone to support their implants. 

However, Birmingham patients who don’t have enough bone structure to support implants may undergo a bone graft to restore the jaw, or may benefit from All-on-4® dental implants, which is a system that uses fewer implants to support a full denture arch.  

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

If you have one or more missing teeth and would like to find out if dental implant treatment is right for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation at our Birmingham dental practice, Gooch Family Dental.