Interested in restorative dental care in Ruston? Wondering if dental implants from Dr. Patrick Stuckey are right for you? If you’re an older adult or senior, you may think that your chance to restore your smile permanently with implants has passed you by.
But in this blog, we’ll explain that this is not the case. As long as your mouth is healthy and you’re approved by Dr. Stuckey, you can get dental implants! Read on to get all the details.
Nobody Is Too Young Or Too Old For Dental Implants – They Are Suitable For All Ages
Dental implants can be used to restore a missing permanent tooth in patients of any age. They are routinely used for a wide variety of conditions in patients of all ages.
From a teenager who has lost an adult tooth due to a serious oral injury, like a hard hit in a contact sport, to an adult with a serious tooth infection, or a senior who has lost a tooth due to gum disease, a dental implant can be suitable for just about anyone.
So if you’re an older adult or a senior and you think that you can only choose between options like dental bridges and partial or full dentures to restore your smile, you’re mistaken. At the office of Patrick Stuckey, DDS, we can treat patients of all ages with dental implants, as long as they’re good candidates for treatment.
What Do I Need To Be A Good Candidate For Implants?
Dental implants are a good option for patients of all ages. But regardless of your age, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be immediately approved for treatment with implants. In most cases, you must meet the following requirements to be a good candidate for dental implants at our office.
- A healthy mouth – You cannot be suffering from any serious oral disease, such as tooth decay or gum disease. These conditions must be treated and resolved before you can be considered for implants, since they can interfere with proper healing and recovery after your implant has been placed.
- A strong jaw bone – Jaw bone loss is common in older patients who have lost a tooth and have not had it replaced with an implant within 1-2 years. After you lose a tooth, the underlying jaw bone will no longer be strengthened by the force of biting and chewing, and it will deteriorate.
If your jaw bone is not strong enough for an implant, you’re not out of luck. You may be able to get a bone graft. This involves placing artificial bone in your jaw, and allowing your natural jaw bone to heal, strengthening the area sufficiently for a dental implant. - Non-smoker – You must be a non-smoker, or willing to cease smoking during the implant process. Smoking dramatically raises the risk of complications during the implant healing or recovery process, so some dentists will completely deny you for an implant if you smoke or use oral tobacco products and do not plan on stopping while your implant heals.
You’re Never Too Old To Be A Candidate For Dental Implants – Contact Us Today!
If you are interested in permanent smile restoration with dental implants in Ruston, don’t let your age hold you back. At the office of Patrick Stuckey, DDS, we can treat patients of any age with implants as long as they are good candidates for the procedure. To learn more and see if you are a good candidate for implants, just contact us online or give us a call at (318) 255-8648.
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