Do you yearn for the perfect smile after losing one or more teeth? Dental implants are the best option for replacing missing teeth. These implants resemble your natural teeth, thus giving you back your natural smile.

Before receiving dental implants, you must reach skeletal maturity. Therefore, you should only get dental implants if your jawbone is fully mature. Ages 17-18 are the recommended minimum age for implants. Below is all you need to know about the age limits for dental implants.

About Dental Implants

Dental implants are the best teeth replacement options for anyone with missing or loose teeth. These artificial tooth replacements are surgically inserted into the jawbone. The implants have to go through a healing process known as osseointegration that allows the bone to fuse with the implant.  This allows it to become a durable, long-term restoration. The process can take between 2 to 6 months, after which your dentist can place a crown on the implants.

Risks for Getting Dental Implants if You’re Too Young

Although dental implants are safe for replacing missing teeth in adults, they aren’t an option for kids below a specific age. For kids, placing dental implants when the jaw isn’t fully grown can prevent the teeth from erupting appropriately. Moreover, the jawbone isn’t suitable for holding implants at a young age. If children get implants, their replaced teeth might become misaligned and interfere with their jawbone as they grow. Furthermore, dental implants involve surgeries that can lead to risks of bleeding, infections, and other complications. Most of these risks are low, but they can affect kids with underlying health problems, thus prolonging the healing process.

Risks for Getting Dental Implants for Seniors

Dental implants are considered safe amongst seniors. However, complications are more likely to happen because aging is also a risk factor for more health conditions. These conditions can hinder the success of dental implants. Moreover, surgery poses risks like infection, loose implants, gum recession, sinus problems, and tissue or nerve damage. If the implant is successful on a senior, some habits like smoking might pose risks like bone loss, and health conditions like autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are available in a wide array of shapes and sizes. Your dentist can work with you to decide on implants that fit perfectly and match the color of your teeth. No one but your dentist, and you will differentiate them from your real teeth. Dental implants also help restore your bite force. Since they are anchored to the jaw, their titanium post replaces your tooth root.  This helps you bite with the same force that you could use with natural teeth.

Despite all the improvements in dental care, most people suffer from tooth loss from injury, periodontal diseases, and tooth decay. There are many treatment options available for everyone with missing teeth, the best being dental implants. They provide a strong foundation for the replacement teeth while looking like natural teeth.

If you are in the process of choosing to have dental implants, we invite you to schedule an appointment.  You can also reach us at Southbridge Dentistry by calling (303) 798- 4967. Our professionally trained staff are happy to discuss everything with you about the process. You’ll soon have that beautiful smile again in no time!