You’ve been missing teeth for a while. While you’ve looked into implants, you thought that maybe you’re too old or your health isn’t good enough. That thought keeps a lot of people from ever picking up the phone.
Here’s the truth. Age alone almost never disqualifies you from dental implants. Neither does most of what you’re worried about. What matters is how well your health is managed and whether your jaw can support an implant. Dr. Ranveer Chandy at Hermitage Dental has practiced in Edmonton since 2008.
He’s placed implants for patients across North Edmonton and surrounding communities. Dr. Chandy will tell you honestly whether implants are right for you, and if they’re not, he’ll explain what else might work. Here’s what really matters for implant candidacy as an Edmonton senior at Reliance Dental Family Dentistry.
Age Isn’t the Problem You Think It Is
There’s no upper age limit for dental implants. Research shows that older adults have high implant success rates with stable function and minimal complications. What determines success isn’t your birth year. It’s your bone quality, your overall health, and how well you heal.
Dr. Chandy has placed implants for older patients. Many of them assumed they’d aged out of the option, but they hadn’t. The evaluation is about your health, not your age.
If you’re 65, 75, or 85 and you’re in reasonable health, you’re likely still a candidate for an implant crown, dental bridge, or denture. The only way to know is to get evaluated.
Diabetes: It Depends on Your Control
This is one of the most common concerns Dr. Chandy hears. Patients with diabetes worry that implants aren’t safe for them.
The key word is control. Patients with well-managed diabetes can and do get implants successfully. The risk comes from uncontrolled blood sugar. Research shows that poor glycemic control increases the risk of implant failure and peri-implantitis.
Dr. Chandy will review your medical history and ask about your A1C levels. If your blood sugar is well managed, implants are often a good option. If it’s not, he may recommend getting your levels under control first. That might mean coordinating with your doctor before scheduling surgery.
Many patients become implant candidates after improving their blood sugar control.
Smoking: The One Habit That Changes Everything
Smoking is the biggest modifiable risk factor for implant failure. Research shows that heavy smokers have implant success rates about 10% lower than non-smokers. They also experience more than double the bone loss around implants.
Nicotine restricts blood flow. It compromises the tissue around the implant and slows healing. If you smoke, quitting is the single best thing you can do for implant longevity.
Dr. Chandy won’t lecture you. He’ll explain what’s at stake and help you make a plan. Some patients reduce or quit before surgery, while others choose a different tooth replacement option. The decision is yours, but you deserve honest information about the risks.
Bone Loss: Not a Dead End
When you lose a tooth, the bone underneath it starts to shrink. If you’ve been missing teeth for years, you might not have enough bone to support an implant.
Bone grafting can rebuild the area before implant placement. The graft fuses with your natural bone over a few months. Then Dr. Chandy can place the implant with confidence.
His special training in implant dentistry includes planning for patients with bone loss. He uses imaging to assess your bone density and map exactly where the implant should go. If you need grafting, he’ll explain what it involves and how long it adds to your timeline.
Medications and Other Health Conditions
Some medications affect bone healing. Others affect how your body responds to surgery. Dr. Chandy will review your medication list at your consultation.
Common considerations include:
- Blood thinners: May need adjustment before surgery, but only under your doctor’s guidance
- Antiresorptive drugs (like Fosamax): May affect bone turnover. Your dosage and route matter
- Steroids: May affect healing
- Chemotherapy or radiation: May require special planning or a referral to a specialist
Most of these don’t rule out implants. They just mean Dr. Chandy will coordinate with your physician to make sure the treatment is safe.
What Dr. Chandy Evaluates Before You Get Implants
Your dental implant consultation in our Edmonton dental office is about answers. Here’s what Dr. Chandy will look at:
- Your medical history: Dr. Chandy will review your conditions, medications, and surgical history. He’ll ask about your blood sugar control if you have diabetes and ask about smoking and alcohol use. This information shapes his recommendations.
- Your bone health: Digital imaging shows how much bone you have and where it sits. If there’s not enough, he’ll discuss grafting.
- Your gum health: Healthy gums are essential for implant success. If you have gum disease, you need periodontal disease treatment first.
- Your bite: Dr. Chandy’s training at Boston University and his continuing education in implant dentistry mean he evaluates how your teeth, jaw, and muscles work together. An implant placed without considering your bite can fail.
What If You’re Not a Candidate Right Now?
Sometimes the answer is “not yet.” That doesn’t mean never. If your diabetes isn’t controlled, getting it under control could make you a candidate. If you smoke, quitting could improve your odds. Bone grafting and gum treatment come first.
Dr. Chandy will give you a clear plan. You’ll know what needs to happen before implants become an option. You’ll also know what alternatives exist in the meantime, like bridges or dentures.
Seniors Can Get Dental Implants
Many seniors can get dental implants. See if you’re a dental implant candidate in our Edmonton office for a crown, bridge, or denture. Call Reliance Dental Family Dentistry today at 587-840-9984. You can also request an appointment with Dr. Chandy and his team online.