Is it worth getting dental implants at 70 years old?

Asked by: Crystal Cronin  |  Last update: August 14, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (26 votes)

You may think about what kind of success rate you'll have with implants based on your age. You may wonder whether dental implants work just as well for older patients as they do for younger ones. Luckily, dental implants are just as effective and long-lasting in older age.

Should people over 70 get dental implants?

While there is typically an age requirement for younger patients, seniors are never “too old” to get dental implants. As long as senior citizens are free of gum disease, tooth decay, and heave healthy enough jawbone for a dentist to complete the procedure, implant surgery can be a highly predictable treatment.

What percentage of 70 year olds have their own teeth?

Today, three-quarters of people over 65 retain at least some of their natural teeth, but older people still suffer higher rates of gum disease, dental decay, oral cancer, mouth infections, and tooth loss.

What are the downfalls of dental implants?

Read through the disadvantages of dental implants to discover if they are your ideal treatment option.
  • Dental Implants are Costly. ...
  • Your Dental Insurance Won't Cover Them. ...
  • Dental Implants Require a Surgery for Placement. ...
  • You Might Need to Replace Your Restorations. ...
  • You Might Lose Bone Around Your Implants.

What age should you not get dental implants?

Technically the answer is no. Many people who are in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and even 90s have gotten dental implants and experienced excellent treatment results.

The Top Reasons You Should NOT Get Dental Implants

21 related questions found

When is it too late for implants?

It's never too late to consider dental implants, as they can be a life-changing solution for people of all ages, restoring both function and confidence in your smile!

What is the best tooth replacement for seniors?

Dental Implants

The procedure involves fusing a titanium post in the jawbone, and the post then serves as a support for a natural-looking prosthetic tooth. The fusion process, known as osseointegration, offers the greatest strength and durability of any other tooth replacement option.

When are dental implants not a good idea?

Generally, any healthy adult who has lost a tooth or multiple teeth can be a good candidate for dental implants. However, those with oral health problems, chronic illnesses, or conditions that affect their ability to heal may not be ideal candidates for dental implants.

What is the most common complication of dental implants?

Infection. Like any surgical procedure, there's a risk of infection after dental implant surgery. Infection at the implant site, in the gum tissue surrounding the implant, or in the bone that supports the implant can occur. Symptoms of infection may include pain, swelling, redness, and pus.

Does insurance cover dental implants?

Some insurance policies list dental implants as cosmetic procedures, which can limit your coverage options. There are, however, cases when dental insurance picks up a portion of your procedure, like the post and abutment placement, which can cover 45% of the total cost. So, in short: it primarily depends on your plan.

Is 70 too old to have teeth straightened?

Regardless of your age, you are never too old for orthodontic treatment.

At what age do seniors start losing teeth?

So, the average 21 year old American starts their adult life with 28 teeth but by the time they reach 44 years old, 69% have lost at least one tooth, by the age of 50 they have lost 12 teeth (including wisdom teeth) and by age 74, 26% have lost all of their teeth.

Which celebrities wear full dentures?

Some Celebrities Reported to Be Wearing Dentures
  • William Clark Gable. Famously known as Clark Gable, he was one of the celebrities with full-mouth dentures during the early 20th century. ...
  • Emma Watson. ...
  • George Washington. ...
  • Catherine Zeta-Jones. ...
  • Jim Carrey. ...
  • Ben Affleck. ...
  • Nicholas Cage. ...
  • Gary Busey.

What happens to teeth implants when you get old?

Dental implants for seniors are a sustainable tooth replacement option. They may need to change the crowns every 10-15 years, but implants can last a lifetime with bare minimum maintenance.

Who is not a good candidate for dental implants?

Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
  • Smoking — Smoking slows the body's natural healing process and affects the process of osseointegration through which a dental implant becomes fused with your natural bone tissue. ...
  • Gum disease. ...
  • General health. ...
  • Diabetes. ...
  • Medications. ...
  • Radiation therapy.

Does Medicare pay for dental implants for seniors?

While Medicare may pay for medical treatments related to implants, it won't pay for the implants themselves. For instance, if an oral surgery needs to be performed in a hospital to prepare for your implants, Medicare may cover costs related to the hospital, but not for the the surgery itself.

What is a negative about dental implants?

If there is a problem with the location or angle of the implant, it can lead to complications. The implant may not fuse with the bone properly, may be too close to adjacent teeth and cause discomfort, or may become loose or painful. If this happens, you may need to have the implant removed or replaced.

Can your body reject metal implants years later?

The systemic response to deep implants can occur acutely or many years later. Many patients with implanted metal hardware have positive skin test results for those metals but nevertheless are completely asymptomatic. Some 25% of patients with well-functioning prostheses have metal sensitivity.

Which is better, implant or bridge?

Limited Support in Case of Multiple Missing Teeth: While bridges are effective for replacing one or a few missing teeth, they might not be the best solution for multiple missing teeth in different areas of the mouth. Implants can be more versatile in such scenarios.

At what age are dental implants not recommended?

No Upper Age Limit for Dental Implants

This makes them ideal candidates for the dental implant procedure, including elderly people in their 80s and 90s. While we consider the patient's overall health before recommending dental implants, simply being an older adult typically does not exclude anyone.

Is there a cheaper alternative to dental implants?

Full or partial dentures are cheaper options compared to dental implants. Dentures depend on natural suction, as well as adhesives and pastes, to stay in place. Partial dentures are popular alternatives to implants for your molar teeth or other types of teeth.

Who cannot have dental implants?

Avoid Dental Implants If You Have These Health Conditions
  • Diabetes. ...
  • Autoimmune Diseases. ...
  • Gum Disease. ...
  • Sleep Disorders. ...
  • Hormone Imbalances. ...
  • Call Us About Dental Implants in Edmond, OK.

Should 75 year old get dental implants?

Many elderly individuals suffer tooth loss and could benefit from dental implants. Around 13% of adults aged 65 or older have lost all their teeth, with that number rising to 26% in those 75 and older. Dental implants can help restore eating and speaking function and improve seniors' quality of life.

What is the cheapest way to replace bad teeth?

The most affordable tooth replacement solution is dentures. This is because they take the least amount of time to create. There is no surgery and no dental crowns to place.

How many people over 70 have false teeth?

According to the American Dental Association, there are approximately 57% of people ages 65 to 74 wearing some form of denture.