Dental implants are one of the greatest medical success stories of our time. Implants have helped countless patients regain their lives and their independence by restoring their teeth and their dental health with a long term solution.
Dental implants can sometimes sound like a solution geared toward younger patients, but implants are encouraged for any person, of any age suffering with tooth loss. Our older patients should not have to rely solely on remedies such as dentures, if that’s not what they’d prefer. Read on for some more insight into dental implants and how they can be a great fit for dental patients young and old.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are artificial roots that are placed into your mouth – specifically, into your jawbone. A highly trained implant dentist (Implantologist), such as Dr. Mike, will be able to insert an artificial root that will ultimately bond to your natural bone. This procedure will provide a permanent base for an artificial tooth (called a crown). Together, the implanted root with a dental crown produces a natural looking tooth. Dental implants are a remarkably safe and effective solution for tooth loss.
Evaluating for dental implants
Prior to implant surgery, every patient will be assessed as to whether or not they are a good candidate for dental implants. Dr. Mike will review your medical history, conduct an oral examination and discuss your hopes and your expectations. Every patient’s oral health situation is unique, so it is critical for Dr. Mike to gather as much information as possible to ensure a successful outcome.
During the oral exam, Dr. Mike will evaluate the structure of your mouth and jaw to ensure that your jawbone can support the implant. Some patients who have had missing teeth for a long period of time may suffer from bone loss. As a result, the bone in the area of the missing tooth/teeth may not be able to support a traditional implant. The good news is Dr. Mike has alternative solutions and will discuss them with you.
Am I too old for implants?
The short answer is emphatically no! Dr. Mike believes every single patient is entitled to the best treatments possible for optimal dental health, and this includes dental implants. Age in and of itself is not a factor in the evaluation process. Dr. Mike can perform surgical implant techniques to accommodate physical limitations so that dental implants are not an all or nothing scenario.
Cleveland Implant Institute has worked with patients of all ages. We’d love to work with you too, so call us today to schedule your implant evaluation.