For many people in Plano, dental implants at 70 can still be worth it, because overall health usually matters more than age. Reviews of studies in adults over 65 and over 75 found implants a predictable option. Bone, gum health, diabetes control, smoking, certain bone medicines and daily cleaning often decide whether implants suit you, and an exam answers that.
Last Updated: October 27, 2026
- Does Age Matter for Dental Implants at 70 in Plano?
- Health Factors That Decide Whether Implants Make Sense After 70
- Implants vs. Dentures for Seniors in Plano
- What Does Getting an Implant at 70 Look Like in Plano?
- Watch or Listen to This Plano Dental Implants Guide
- Deciding Whether Implants Are Worth It for You in Plano
- Frequently Asked Questions
Dental implants can still be an option at 70. What matters is whether your health and mouth are ready.
Missing teeth are common at this age. CDC survey data from 2017 to March 2020 show about 15% of US adults aged 65 and older have no natural teeth left.
At Vitality Dental, we look at your health picture before we talk about implants. This guide covers what research says about age, which health factors matter most, and what to expect in Plano.
Does Age Matter for Dental Implants at 70 in Plano?
Age alone usually does not decide whether you can get implants. The American Dental Association says your health is more of a factor than your age. A 2017 review in Clinical Oral Implants Research, covering adults 65 and older, found that age alone should not rule implants out.
A 2018 review in Clinical Oral Implants Research described implants as a predictable treatment option for people 75 and older.
Dentists weigh the benefits against your medical conditions, and the ADA notes a dentist may ask your physician to evaluate you before surgery.
Health Factors That Decide Whether Implants Make Sense After 70
Six things often shape the answer: jawbone, bone medicines, diabetes control, smoking, gum health and how easily you can clean around an implant. None of these rules implants out on its own, though each may change the plan or its timing.
Jawbone Volume and Bone Grafting
An implant needs enough bone to anchor in. After a tooth is lost, the jawbone tends to shrink, mostly in width, and much of that change happens in the first year.
If years have passed since a tooth was removed, a bone graft may be needed first.
Our bone loss timeline after a missing tooth shows how this unfolds. The FDA lists helping keep the jawbone from shrinking as one benefit implants can offer.
Osteoporosis and Bone-Strengthening Medicines
Recent pooled studies suggest osteoporosis by itself does not appear to lower implant survival, though the evidence is limited. The medicine matters more than the diagnosis.
Bisphosphonates have been linked to a small risk of a jawbone problem called medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, or MRONJ. Low-dose osteoporosis treatment and high-dose bone drugs used in cancer care carry very different levels of risk.
If you take a bone-strengthening medicine, tell your dentist and the doctor who prescribed it, including how long you have taken it.
Diabetes, Smoking and Gum Disease
The ADA notes that chronic conditions such as diabetes may interfere with healing. Uncontrolled diabetes is the bigger concern, so well-managed diabetes does not automatically rule implants out.
The FDA notes smoking may affect healing and long-term success. Studies also link smoking with a higher failure risk. Gum disease is usually treated first, because a past history of gum disease is linked with higher implant risk.
Many people in their 70s take blood thinners. Bring your full medicine list, and your dentist may coordinate with your doctor.
Daily Cleaning and Hand Dexterity
An implant still needs daily cleaning. The FDA lists trouble cleaning around an implant as one of the possible risks. Arthritis, tremor or memory changes can make home care harder.
A family member or caregiver may help, and some designs are easier to clean than others.
Dry mouth is often caused by medicines. It raises the risk of decay and mouth infections, so mention it at your visit.
Implants vs. Dentures for Seniors in Plano
Implants and dentures can both restore chewing and appearance. Two expert statements on people with no teeth, McGill (2002) and York (2009), named a lower two-implant overdenture as the first choice. An overdenture snaps onto implants instead of resting only on the gums.
A 2000 study in the Journal of Dental Research measured stronger bite force with implant overdentures than with full dentures. Patients may also find them more satisfying.
Conventional dentures remain a valid choice and make eating easier than having no teeth. Our post on what All-on-4 implants change for denture wearers compares full-arch options.
What Does Getting an Implant at 70 Look Like in Plano?
The process usually moves from a consultation and 3D scan to placement, healing while bone bonds to the implant, then a final tooth or denture. At our Plano office, consultation to final crown typically takes four to seven months, varying by case.
The Consultation and 3D CBCT Scan
The first visit reviews your medical history, medicines and goals. We take a 3D CBCT scan in our Coit Road office to see how much bone is available and whether grafting may be needed.
Questions before your visit? Call our Plano office at (972) 964-3800 and our team can help.
We place dental implants in Plano using 3D-guided implant surgery and handle each stage, from imaging to the final crown, under one roof.
For people missing most or all teeth, we also discuss implant-supported dentures. These include snap-in overdentures on two to four implants per arch and All-on-4 fixed arches.
Comfort Options During Treatment
We offer three sedation options: nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation and IV sedation.
Before sedation, we review your history and medicines and coordinate with your primary care physician if needed. During IV sedation, we watch your oxygen level, breathing and blood pressure the whole time.
For oral or IV sedation, you must have a driver, so plan the ride before the appointment.
Healing Time and Follow-Up Visits
After placement, bone grows around the implant in a process called osseointegration. The FDA notes healing may take several months or longer, and at our office it typically takes three to six months.
Some patients can receive temporary teeth soon after placement, depending on the exam.
Our day-by-day guide to implant recovery covers the first week.
Paying for Treatment When Medicare Does Not
According to Medicare.gov, Original Medicare in most cases does not cover dental services, dentures or implants. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer dental benefits, so check your own plan directly.
We offer a complimentary insurance benefits check and a membership plan for patients without insurance. Third-party financing such as CareCredit is also available, subject to lender approval.
Our guide to the cost of a dental implant in Plano explains what affects the total.
Watch or Listen to This Plano Dental Implants Guide
Short on reading time? Our short video and audio episode cover whether implants are worth it at 70, so you can listen before your visit.
Deciding Whether Implants Are Worth It for You in Plano
For many 70-year-olds, whether implants are worth it depends on health, bone and daily routine more than the number on the calendar. A consultation with an exam and a 3D scan turns that general picture into a clear plan for your own mouth.
At Vitality Dental, we explain every option, including dentures and bridges, so you can choose what fits your health and goals. Book an appointment for an implant consultation and 3D scan at our Plano office.
Medical Disclaimer: This post is general information and not a diagnosis. It does not substitute for an in-person evaluation by a licensed dentist. Individual results vary based on the patient’s oral health, medical history, and treatment plan. If you have severe pain, swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing, or a facial injury, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should an 80 year old get dental implants?
An 80-year-old can be a candidate when overall health, bone and the ability to clean daily support it. Researchers writing in Clinical Oral Implants Research in 2018 found implants a predictable option for patients 75 and older. Each case is weighed against medical conditions, so ask your dentist whether this applies to you.
At what age should you not get a tooth implant?
There is no set upper age limit for a tooth implant. Health, bone and an in-person exam decide suitability at any age, more than the number itself. Researchers reviewing adults 65 and older in Clinical Oral Implants Research in 2017 found age alone should not rule implants out.
Is it better to get teeth implants or dentures?
Neither is better for everyone. Implants and implant overdentures can feel more stable and help limit bone shrinkage, while conventional dentures avoid surgery and suit people who cannot have implants. Your health, bone, budget and preferences decide which option fits you.
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