Why Isnt Dental Implant Recommended After the Age of 60?

Whether dental implants are suitable after the age of 60 primarily depends on one's overall health condition, rather than a mere age restriction. Most adults over 60 can undergo dental implant surgery as long as their bone quality and health status are good. Addressing dental implants mainly requires attention to physical health, bone quality, and oral hygiene.

1. Physical Health

Age itself is not an absolute contraindication for dental implants. For people over 60 who are in good health, dental implants can be a viable option. However, chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, if not well-controlled, may affect surgical safety and implant stability. For example, diabetics may experience difficulty in wound healing, and hypertensive patients may experience blood pressure instability during surgery. It is recommended to undergo a comprehensive medical examination by a doctor before surgery to ensure stable chronic condition status.

2. Bone Quality

Suitability for dental implants requires adequate jaw bone mass and bone density support. Patients who have had long-term tooth loss without restoration may face bone resorption, leading to insufficient bone mass. For patients with inadequate bone quality, bone augmentation surgeries such as bone grafting or bone splitting can be considered to enhance bone tissue. However, these surgeries increase time and cost and are more difficult to perform, requiring experienced doctors.

3. Oral Hygiene and Restoration Needs

Good oral hygiene is a critical factor for the success of dental implants. Periodontitis or other infectious issues may affect implant stability. If oral conditions are poor, implant surgery can be delayed until gum and alveolar bone health improve. Complex restoration needs may also affect surgical arrangements, especially if multiple implants are required. Before preparing for dental implants, it is advisable to communicate fully with a dentist to develop a restoration plan suitable for individual circumstances.

4. Psychological Preparation and Postoperative Care

Dental implant surgery requires patients to have good psychological preparation and awareness of postoperative care. Following medical advice for regular postoperative check-ups, maintaining oral cleanliness, avoiding smoking, and hard foods can improve the success rate of dental implants. After 60, special attention should be paid to the combination of overall and oral health, with regular check-ups to detect and correct issues early. Most people over 60 can undergo dental implants if they are in good physical condition, have suitable bone quality, and are willing to actively care for them, without having to forego this option due to age. However, it is still necessary to consult with a professional doctor based on one's own condition to jointly determine suitability for dental implants and actively prepare for preoperative and postoperative care.