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Is it too late for you to get dental implants? Not likely! Join us as we discuss the timings surrounding dental implants and if you can ever be too old for the procedure.
Dental implants have revolutionized the dental industry. They provide a reliable, durable, and permanent solution for missing teeth. What’s more, these implants look and feel just like actual teeth, custom-fitted according to the size of your mouth.
The only problem is there’s still plenty of confusion among the general public about when to consider them.
This brings us to the question: Is it ever too late to get dental implants?
According to the National Institute of Health, the simple answer is no. As long as your jaw is healthy and not healing from a previous operation, you can always get a dental implant.
The guide below goes into more detail regarding when you should get dental implants and gives you a brief look into how the process works. So, make sure you check that out.
Before we get to the timing aspect of dental implants, let’s take a brief look into what implants are. Dental implants are fully artificial tooth roots made up of a titanium post and abutment that are screwed into your jawbone to replace your missing tooth’s roots.
Their purpose is to provide support and a platform for your replacement crown, bridge, or dentures. These implants require moderately invasive surgery to insert properly, carried out by an experienced dentist or oral surgeon.
Dr. Alex Dolgov at Porter Ranch Dental Studio has been performing implant procedures for several years now, prioritizing patient safety and satisfaction. If you don’t already have a trusted dentist who can perform the procedure, we’d highly recommend taking advantage of his expertise.
Even though there isn’t a fixed timeline for getting dental implants, dentists do have some recommendations for patients regarding the timing of the procedure.
This section covers some of these recommendations and clears up any misconceptions about there being an age limit for the procedure.
In some cases, patients can opt for an implant immediately after one of their teeth has been extracted.
This is known as immediate implant placement and is recommended by dentists for patients who have outstanding bone density and strong gums.
And seeing as how your bone and gum health deteriorates the longer you put off the surgery, getting the implant placed immediately may just be your best move.
Pro-Tip: Did you know that dental implants boast a success rate of up to 98% when properly maintained? It’s never too late to consider dental implants, as they can be a life-changing solution for people of all ages, restoring both function and confidence in your smile!
Unfortunately, it sometimes isn’t possible for your dentist to start the implant procedure right away. Mainly because of the bone loss you’ve endured during or before the tooth extraction process.
In cases like this, your dentist will usually schedule you for a bone graft surgery before they can fit you with implants.
Plenty of people have this misconception that you can’t get implants after a certain age. We’re here to debunk those theories, as the only thing you need to worry about before an implant procedure is the health of your jawbone and gums.
However, it is worth mentioning that your overall bone density does decrease with age. Thus, you may want to consider getting a dental implant as soon as possible. Otherwise, as mentioned before, you may have to get a bone graft before the implant procedure can begin.
While age isn’t always a factor when determining if you can get a dental implant, some other conditions can complicate the procedure. We’ve listed the most important ones in the section below.
Gum diseases, if left untreated, can seriously complicate an implant procedure. Especially if a bacterial infection causes the disease.
The existence of bacteria during a procedure can potentially affect the implant region. Causing additional diseases like peri-implantitis, a form of gum disease that affects the tissues surrounding the implant site.
This can leave the soft tissues around the site weak and unable to support the newly inserted dental crown. In extreme cases, it might even cause gum recession around the implant crown.
Fortunately, you can avoid all of these potential complications if you just address any gum issues you have beforehand.
The longer you delay your implant surgery, the more likely you are to encounter an oral issue that prevents you from getting dental implants completely.
Basically, if your mouth is missing one or more teeth for an extended time period, your remaining teeth will eventually start to shift. When that happens, bone loss can occur. Making the surgery challenging for a dentist, no matter their skill.
Even if the surgeon can complete the surgery, the bone loss you’ve suffered will affect the longevity and stability of the implant.
Unfortunately, there is a chance you may not be eligible for dental implant surgery even with perfect bone and gum health. Certain health disorders and medical conditions can make it incredibly difficult for any dentist to even advise dental implant surgery.
Examples include autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, which decreases the body’s ability to heal, and bleeding disorders like hemophilia, which can cause excessive bleeding during the procedure.
Thus, it is incredibly important that you discuss any underlying medical conditions with your dentist to figure out if implants are a suitable option for you.
Top-Rated dentist in Porter Ranch, Dr. Alex Dolgov specializes in Invisalign in the Los Angeles area
For those of you unaware of how implants work, the table below is designed to offer you a step-by-step walkthrough of the entire process.
Step | Description |
1 | Initial examination of your overall dental condition |
2 | Bone graft surgery is recommended to improve your bone health (optional) |
3 | Your chosen surgeon administers an anesthetic |
4 | A post made up of a biocompatible material like titanium is inserted to replace your missing tooth’s roots. |
5 | The abutment, made of the same material, is screwed on top of the post. |
6 | Your dentist schedules an appointment 10 to 12 days after the current one. To give your jaw and gums time to heal and fuse to the post. |
7 | A custom crown, bridge or dentures are created and inserted on top of the secured abutment. |
All in all, there is no age limit for getting a dental implant, as many people believe. However, it would be in your best interest to get an implant as soon as possible if you’re missing a tooth. Your bone health will continue to deteriorate during this period.
We’d also like to take this time to reiterate how important your surgeon’s role will be in the overall procedure. The expertise of your surgeon can actually determine how long your healing period will be. Plus, an experienced surgeon will also be able to handle any complications that occur and make sure the surgery goes smoothly.
This is why we suggest opting for the services of Dr. Alex Dolgov here at Porter Ranch Dental Studio.
He has an impeccable record when it comes to successful dental implants, and his patients always speak highly of his expertise as a surgeon. Interested parties can schedule an appointment with Dr. Alex’s team.
Call now or fill out the form below and our office will contact you as soon as possible
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