Yes, you can often get dental implants even if your teeth have been missing for years or decades. How long the teeth have been missing does not determine eligibility by itself. The amount of available bone, the health of your gums, your bite, and your overall health are more important when determining whether an implant can be placed.
Table of Contents
Long-Term Tooth Loss Can Change the Implant Site
The area where a tooth once sat can change gradually after tooth loss. These changes do not necessarily prevent dental implant treatment, but they can affect how treatment is planned.
Possible changes include:
- Reduced bone volume: The bone where the tooth was located may become shorter or narrower over time.
- Less space for the replacement tooth: Nearby teeth may move into the gap, leaving less room for an implant and crown.
- Bone loss near the sinus: When upper back teeth have been missing for years, there may not be enough bone to place an implant without additional treatment.
- Changes in the bite: The tooth opposite the open space may move, which can affect the room available for the replacement tooth.
An evaluation of the current site can determine which of these factors, if any, need to be addressed before implant placement.
Bone Grafting May Make Implant Placement Possible
Not everyone who has been missing teeth for years needs a bone graft. If enough healthy bone remains in the correct position, an implant may be placed without a separate grafting procedure.
When additional bone is needed, the procedure depends on the location and extent of the bone loss:
- Dental bone grafting can add support to an area with insufficient bone.
- Ridge augmentation can rebuild an area where more significant bone loss has occurred.
- A sinus lift can increase the available bone below the maxillary sinus when replacing upper back teeth.
Depending on the site, grafting may be performed at the same time as implant placement or completed first and allowed to heal before the implant is placed.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
The treatment timeline depends more on the current condition of the implant site than on how long the tooth has been missing.
If enough bone is available, the dental implant may be placed without a separate grafting procedure. If bone grafting is needed first, additional healing time will be required before the implant can be placed.
Once the implant has healed and its stability has been confirmed, you return to your dentist for the final crown or other restoration.
Replacing Several Missing Teeth With Implants
If you have several missing teeth, you may not need an individual implant for each one. The number and position of implants depend on the number of missing teeth, available bone, bite, and planned restoration.
For example, multiple implants can support a fixed bridge that replaces several teeth. People who have lost most or all of their teeth may also be candidates for full-mouth dental implants using a fixed or removable implant-supported restoration.
Find Out If Dental Implants Are Still an Option
If you have been missing one or more teeth for years, Dr. Robert Barron can evaluate the area to determine whether dental implants are still an option. Even when bone loss or changes to the surrounding teeth have occurred, treatment may still be possible with the appropriate planning.
To schedule an appointment at our oral surgery office in Vaughan, call (905) 669-2616 or visit us at 3300 Hwy 7 W #805, Vaughan, ON L4K 4M3.
FAQs
Can older adults get dental implants?
There is no specific upper age limit for dental implants. Overall health, bone and gum health, medications, and the ability to heal are generally more important considerations than age alone.
Can you get dental implants after wearing dentures for years?
Yes, some people who have worn dentures for many years can still receive dental implants. Long-term tooth loss can reduce available jawbone, so imaging may be needed to determine whether there is enough bone for implants or whether a grafting procedure should be considered.
Can you get dental implants if you have gum disease?
Dental implants may still be an option for someone with a history of gum disease, but active disease generally needs to be controlled before implant placement. The gums and supporting bone need to be evaluated as part of treatment planning.
Can an implant replace a tooth that never developed?
Yes, a dental implant may be an option for a congenitally missing tooth once jaw growth is complete. The available bone, space for the replacement tooth, and positions of the surrounding teeth must also be suitable for implant treatment.
