If you’re missing any teeth, dental implants make for terrific replacements, mimicking the look and function of your actual teeth. However, you may have heard that after a certain age, you’re no longer a good candidate for implants.

This is a myth. At Coulee Family Dental, offering family dentistry services in La Crosse, WI, they’ll assess your health and determine whether dental implants are ideal for you.

The reason some people believe there is an age limit to getting dental implants has to do with osteoporosis and other conditions, which cause bone loss in the elderly. For an implant to remain fixed in your mouth, it must integrate to the jawbone. If there isn’t sufficient bone present, or if the bone is of poor quality, the jaw won’t support the implant.

While it is true that bone loss can make it difficult to insert a dental implant into the mouth, that doesn’t mean there aren’t options in cases such as this. If your jaw doesn’t have enough bone, the dentist may recommend a process known as bone grafting.

Bone grafting involves taking bone tissue and grafting it onto the jawbone. This provides the necessary strength to facilitate the rest of the dental implant procedure. Although it does add some time to what is already may be a lengthy process, many patients feel as though the benefits of dental implants are worth the time it takes to fully complete treatment.

That said, if you do suffer from osteoporosis or a similar condition, mention it right away when asking about dental implants. The sooner the dental team knows about your condition, the easier it is for them to tailor the treatment to your specific needs. For more information, schedule an appointment at Coulee Family Dental, in La Crosse, WI. They’ll be happy to answer any of your questions. Contact them online, or call (608) 782-3102.