People with missing teeth are usually looking for the best way to replace those teeth. You may have heard that dental implants are truly one of the most effective tooth replacement options around. For many people, they really are. Dental implants are durable, long-lasting, and look like real teeth. Nonetheless, some patients worry about their candidacy for certain tooth replacements. You may be wondering if you are too old or too young for dental implants. The good news is that implants work on a wide range of age groups!
Am I too old for dental implants?
Your age alone won’t ever make you too old for dental implants. Instead, we’ll look at different candidacy factors that may be related to your age, such as your overall health and your fitness to undergo a surgical procedure. Our dentists will assess the health of your jaw bone and your gums to determine if dental implants can be effectively placed.
Oftentimes dental implant patients are between the ages of 50 and 70, but not isolated to these age groups. It is certainly possible to provide dental implants to patients in their 70s, 80s, and beyond. To evaluate your candidacy, our dentists will take x-rays and examine your mouth, review your health history, and talk to you about your expectations of a tooth replacement. If our dentists determine you are a good dental implant candidate, they’ll go over all the specifics for you to consider and help you make a final decision.
Am I too young?
Let’s face it: Older adults aren’t the only ones with missing teeth. Sometimes you lose a tooth when you’re a teenager or in early adulthood. Replacing that missing tooth is important not only to your self-esteem, but also to your future oral health and the alignment of your teeth.
But are you too young? It’s unlikely unless you’re age 18 or under. It’s important for the bone beneath the teeth to be fully developed and no longer growing for the dental implant placement to be successful. Therefore, young teenagers are very unlikely to be dental implant candidates. Our dentists will be able to make this determination during a consultation and exam. We will certainly recommend alternatives if dental implants are not a good choice at this time. We know just how important it is to feel good about the way your smile looks and we work to find treatment options that are best for the individual patient.
Replacing Missing Teeth So You Can Smile Proudly
If you are interested in finding out if dental implants are right for you in Greenville, SC, please arrange a consultation by calling Flatrock Family Dentistry at (864) 756-5576.