Implant Treatment in Elderly Patients

Jemt T

With the increasing number of elderly persons in the population, we will be seeing more older patients seeking dental treatment in the future. A retrospective study was conducted on 48 elderly patients, 30 women and 18 men, who were treated at the Brånemark Clinic in Sweden. The mean age at implant placement was 82.7 years with an age range of 80-89 years. A total of 254 implants were placed. The results of this treatment indicated that healthy vital elderly patients who were provided with dental implants can have the same prognosis as younger patients. Marginal bone response around the neck of the implants showed a pattern of modeling and remodeling which was similar to that found in younger age groups. Most patients experienced minimal post-placement problems, but the study also indicated that some patients had problems adapting to the prosthesis. This is not surprising, as previous studies indicated that the muscular learning process is prolonged in elderly patients. In spite of this, all patients adapted to their implant supported prosthesis within one year and no major maintenance problems were encountered during the following years. Thus the selection criteria for implant treatment should be the same for all patients regardless of age and no patients should be refused implant treatment because of advanced age.

Int J Prosthodont 1993;6:456-461

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