Dr. Trevisani, an Orlando implant dentist, receives a lot of inquiries from men and women seeking a permanent tooth replacement. Some candidates that are considering dental implants fear they are too old to qualify for treatment. According to Dr. Trevisani, age does not influence the success of dental implant treatment; he has successfully placed dental implants on patients in their 70s and 80s. There are other factors that matter more, all of which he will outline in this post.

Factors that Matter when Evaluating Dental Implant Candidates

The health of the patient: As long as the patient is in good general health, there is a strong chance implant placement will be successful. On the other hand, conditions like diabetes and certain autoimmune disorders can jeopardize the healing process and the lifespan of the implant. Dr. Trevisani carefully reviews each candidate’s health, medical history and medications when screening them for implants.

Adequate jawbone to support the implant post: Implant posts are surgically placed in the jawbone, where they become part of the bone’s anatomy. Because the bone supports the implant post, providing a strong foundation for the artificial tooth, the quality and quantity of the bone is very important.

If a tooth has been missing for a long time, the underlying jawbone may start to atrophy because it no longer receives stimulation from the chewing motion. Weakened jawbone can compromise the longevity of dental implants.

Dr. Trevisani examines and measures the jawbone during the implant planning process to ensure it is sufficient enough to support the implant post(s). If not, he may recommend bone grafting treatment to build up the bone prior to placing implants.

Whether the patient smokes: Studies have shown that smoking increases the chances of implant failure significantly, as it impedes the healing process. Patients that smoke are encouraged to ask their dentist or primary care physician for information about quitting before proceeding with implant placement.

It’s worth noting that some patients may be too young for dental implants. The facial skeleton and jawbone should be fully developed before placing implants. Placing implants in a jawbone that is still evolving could cause problems in the future.

Schedule a Consultation to Discuss Dental Implants

If you are interested in restoring your smile with dental implants, Dr. Trevisani can sit down with you to discuss your options. Please call or email our practice to book a dental implants consultation.