Are Implants Really The Best Option for an 81 Year Old Woman?
Posted by writeradmin
My mother is 82 years old and her dentist is suggesting that she remove her teeth and get dental implants. I am very concerned about this. She’s not in the best of health. If I understand correctly, this will require surgery. I don’t think she is strong enough for this. He told her she’d lose her jaw if she didn’t get implants and now she’s terrified. This can’t be the best or even only option for her.
Lucy
Dear Lucy,
I am truly hoping that your mother misunderstood her dentist and not that he is terrifying an elderly woman for profit. It’s possible what he told her about the jaw issue that results from long term wear of removable dentures, a condition known as facial collapse. Let’s say that you were losing your teeth. When your teeth are removed, your body will recognize that and begin to resorb the minerals in your jawbone. It does this in order to be as efficient with your resources as possible.
This has the unfortunate effect of slowly shrinking your jaw bone. After 10-20 years, you would no longer have enough jaw bone left to keep your dentures in place. That would be devastating for someone your age, but at your mother’s age, I doubt it will ever become a problem. I would not recommend dental implants for someone her age unless they had a family history of most people living past 100 years old.
My suggestion is you just get her removable dentures if her teeth can’t be saved. I do not have confidence in your dentist, so it is possible that her teeth can be saved.
Tell her that you want to her to get a second opinion before she has something as serious as surgery at her age.
This blog is brought ot you by a compassionate dentist in Mt. Dora, Dr. MIchelle Stillman.