The most comprehensive option for replacing a missing or severely damaged tooth is with a dental implant. However, because dental implants are placed directly into the jaw, there are some people who are not candidates for them.
During your initial consultation at our Salt Lake City office, Dr. Warr will evaluate multiple aspects of your oral health and other elements that could affect your candidacy for dental implants. One of the most important factors is age.
Dental Implants for Young Patients
In order to place a dental implant, the jaw must be fully developed. Young people who have all of their adult teeth still may not have a fully developed jaw that can support a dental implant. The jaw reaches maturity around age 17-18. Pediatric dentistry patients who have lost a tooth due to a sports injury or decay may still be able to get a dental implant, but a thorough evaluation with X-rays is needed to make the determination.
Dental Implants for Elderly Patients
Bone loss is a common problem of aging, and for this reason extra caution must be exercised when determining implant candidacy for the elderly. There is no upper age limit for people who can get dental implants. Instead, candidacy is determined by overall health, bone density, and other individual factors. In fact, dental implants may be successful in patients who are in their 80s and even 90s.
If you have a missing tooth and would like to find out if a dental implant is right for you, please call Warr Dental at (801) 216-3713 today to schedule a consultation. Dr. Warr serves patients in West Jordan and South Jordan, and many other communities throughout the Salt Lake City area.
