Can Elderly Patients Get Implants Without Bone Graft?

Dental implants are widely regarded as the most successful tooth replacement option there is, today. These implants are a fast, cost-effective, and permanent solution that brings patients back to eating, speaking, and smiling comfortably and confidently. Many geriatric patients ask about the possibility of getting implants — especially as they grow older and, in some cases, experience bone loss in their jaw throughout the years. The first and most common question about this subject is whether or not you will require a bone graft before getting an implant.

The good news is, not all older patients need a bone graft. The conversation around dental technology hasn’t only improved — it’s evolved — and these days there are more cutting-edge solutions than ever before that can really be utilized alongside less bone.

Bone grafting usually becomes a necessary recommendation when a patient’s jawbone is not thick or firm enough to support an implant. This can happen from the aging process, periodontal disease, or chronic edentualism. Some advancements, like direct load implants, zygomatic implants, or angled placement, allow bone grafts to often be unnecessary.

As an example, in partial cases, implants can often be placed strategically within remaining sections of the jawbone where bone density is not impacted. These canted implants avoided the deficient areas all the while delivering solid structural support without the need for a graft. Similar to the knee, it’s that many of the newer implant designs are shorter or thinner, and so they can be placed in less bone.

Another great option for elderly patients is the “All-on-4” or “Fast & Fixed” technique. This brilliant technique allows you to mount an entire arch of replacement teeth on as few as four or six implants, often without the need for grafting. This provides patients with one thing that they are seeking more and more, maximal aesthetic improvement, minimal procedural time, and surgery.

Your dentist will evaluate the quality and quantity of the bone, and then make a final determination with a 3D scan of your jaw. Based on the type of scan ordered, they will guide you on the need for bone grafting.

Age by itself isn’t a contraindication for implants. People in their 60s, 70s and even 80s routinely get implants, enjoying life-changing benefits from a much higher quality of life. What’s most important is the overall health of the teeth, gum structure, and bone support.

In the past, these patients would have needed bone grafts, thanks to modern techniques, elderly patients can usually be treated by placing implants without such extensive measures. A full assessment by an experienced, properly trained and credentialed implant dentist will identify which route is most appropriate and less hazardous.