Should a 70 Year Old Get a Dental Implant? What the Evidence Actually Says

Yes. A 70 year old should absolutely get a dental implant if they are medically cleared. Age alone does not disqualify you.

Research following older adults for up to 16 years shows implant success rates of 92% in people over 65, which actually beats the 86.5% rate seen in younger adults. The real question isn’t how old you are. It’s whether you have enough bone and whether your body is healthy enough for minor surgery.

Too many people in their 70s are told to settle for dentures when implants could give them far better results. This article explains what the evidence says, what health factors actually matter, and what your options look like.

Does Age Actually Affect How Well an Implant Bonds to Bone?

This is the core question. The honest answer: age changes your bone at a cellular level but doesn’t meaningfully affect whether your implant succeeds.

Older bone does behave differently. Aged stem cells in bone tend to produce more fat cells and fewer bone-building cells. Signalling pathways that normally drive bone formation slow down with age.

On paper, that sounds like a problem for osseointegration (the process where the titanium implant fuses directly with your jawbone).

But here’s what clinical studies actually show. When researchers followed 39 older adults with 190 implants and compared them to 43 younger adults with 184 implants over 4 to 16 years, the older group had a higher success rate: 92.0% versus 86.5%. The difference wasn’t statistically significant.

The Toronto study, one of the most cited long-term implant studies, concluded that being elderly is not a contraindication to long-term implant survival. Osseointegration holds regardless of oral hygiene performance.

So yes, your bone changes as you age. But that change doesn’t translate into implants failing more often. The biology sounds concerning. The clinical outcomes are not.

What Actually Determines Whether Your Implant Will Succeed?

These are the factors that genuinely predict implant success or failure. Age is not on the list.

1. Bone volume and density at the implant site. If bone has been lost due to tooth loss or gum disease, a bone graft may be needed before placement. This is routine.
2. Uncontrolled diabetes slows healing and raises infection risk. Well-controlled diabetes is generally fine. Blood sugar management matters.
3. Smoking reduces blood flow to bone and significantly increases failure rates. This applies at any age.
4. Active gum disease that’s untreated. Peri-implantitis (an infection around an implant) is more likely if existing gum disease isn’t resolved first.
5. Ability to handle minor oral surgery, including sitting through a procedure and managing recovery. Most 70 year olds handle this without issue.
6. Certain medications, particularly bisphosphonates used to treat osteoporosis. These can affect how bone heals. Your dentist needs to know about all medications you take.

Does Osteoporosis Rule Out Dental Implants?

No. Osteoporosis alone does not disqualify you from getting implants.

A review of orthopedic and implant literature found that osteoporotic bone heals readily. Bone mass measurements overlap considerably between people with and without osteoporosis. Implant failure rates do not correlate with age or sex.

The authors concluded that osteoporosis should not be treated as a risk factor for osseointegrated dental implants.

What matters more is whether the specific bone at your implant site has enough volume to hold the implant. Your dentist uses a cone beam CT scan to assess this before any treatment starts. If bone volume is low, grafting can often solve it.

The exception: if you take bisphosphonate medications for osteoporosis. These drugs affect bone turnover in ways that require careful planning around surgery. They don’t automatically rule out implants, but they do need to be flagged and managed properly.

How Many 70 Year Olds Still Have All Their Teeth?

Not many. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, around 1 in 4 Australians aged 65 and over have lost all their natural teeth.

The World Health Organisation reports that tooth loss is one of the most common health conditions affecting older adults. Rates rise sharply after age 65.

Partial tooth loss is even more common. Most people over 70 have lost at least some teeth to decay, gum disease, or injury over their lifetime. This makes the question of tooth replacement extremely relevant for this age group.

Implants are the option that most closely replaces what a natural tooth does.

Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants for Pensioners?

Medicare does not cover dental implants in Australia. Standard Medicare doesn’t include any routine dental treatment for adults.

The Child Dental Benefits Schedule covers children but not adults. Some states offer public dental services for concession card holders. These may cover basic extractions and dentures, but implants are not included in public dental funding.

Private health insurance with major dental cover can contribute to implant costs depending on your policy and waiting periods. It’s worth checking your extras cover, specifically the annual limit for major dental and whether implants are listed as a claimable item.

For pensioners and seniors, the key options for managing costs are private health insurance with major dental, payment plans offered by dental practices, and in some cases, the government-funded public dental scheme for basic care while using savings or insurance for implants.

Implant costs in Australia typically range from AU$3,000 to AU$6,500 per single implant depending on whether bone grafting or other preparatory work is needed. All-on-4 full arch solutions use four implants to replace an entire jaw of teeth. They generally range from AU$15,000 to AU$25,000 per arch and can be more cost-effective for people who have lost most or all of their teeth.

What Is the Best Tooth Replacement for Seniors?

Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option for most seniors who are medically suitable. Here’s how the options compare.

Dental Implants

A titanium post bonds to your jawbone and a crown sits on top. It functions and looks like a natural tooth. It doesn’t require grinding down neighbouring teeth.

It preserves jawbone by providing the stimulation that normal teeth provide. With proper care, implants last decades.

Fixed Dental Bridge

A bridge fills a gap by anchoring to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. Those anchor teeth need to be ground down to support the bridge. It doesn’t address bone loss in the jaw.

Bridges typically last 10 to 15 years before needing replacement. For a single tooth gap, this is a reasonable option if implants aren’t possible.

Removable Partial Denture

A removable plate with replacement teeth. Lower cost upfront. But it accelerates bone loss in the jaw and can be uncomfortable. Many people find them difficult to tolerate long-term.

Full Denture

For people who have lost all or most teeth in a jaw. Dentures don’t stimulate bone, so the jaw continues to shrink over time. This is why dentures become loose and require refitting or replacement.

Many seniors find eating and speaking with full dentures frustrating.

All-on-4 Implants

This is often the best option for seniors who have lost most or all teeth in a jaw. Four implants support a full fixed arch of teeth. You don’t remove them at night. You eat normally.

The four implants stop further bone loss. Studies show this approach works well in older adults and provides significantly better quality of life than conventional dentures. All-on-4

For seniors comparing options, implants and All-on-4 consistently outperform dentures on chewing ability, speech clarity, comfort, and long-term bone preservation.

What Can Be Done Instead of a Dental Implant?

If implants aren’t suitable, the realistic alternatives are a fixed bridge, a removable partial denture, or a full denture depending on how many teeth are missing.

A bridge works well for a single missing tooth when the neighbouring teeth are healthy and strong enough to support it. It’s a fixed solution, meaning you don’t remove it. It can last 10 to 15 years.

Dentures are the most common alternative for people with multiple missing teeth or full tooth loss. Modern dentures fit better than older versions, but they still don’t stop bone loss and don’t restore full chewing function.

Implant-supported dentures are a middle ground. Two or more implants anchor a denture in place. The denture still comes out for cleaning but stays secure during eating and speaking.

This is more affordable than a full implant-supported arch and significantly better than a free-floating denture.

If someone can’t proceed with implants due to insufficient bone that can’t be grafted, or due to a health condition that makes surgery too risky, implant-supported dentures or a conventional denture with a good fit are the practical fallback.

How Long Does Recovery Take at 70?

The healing timeline for implants in older adults is the same as for younger patients. Lower jaw implants typically integrate with bone in 3 to 6 months. Upper jaw implants take 4 to 6 months because the upper jaw bone is less dense.

The procedure itself is done under local anaesthetic in most cases. Sedation options are available if needed. Most people return to normal activity within a few days of the implant placement.

The months of healing happen without discomfort. The implant is simply fusing with bone during that time.

Age doesn’t significantly slow this process in clinical outcomes. The Toronto study confirmed successful osseointegration in elderly patients regardless of their oral hygiene levels over a long follow-up period.

What Should a 70 Year Old Ask Before Getting Implants?

Walk into the consultation with these questions.

1. Do I have enough bone at the implant site, or will I need a graft?
2. Are my current medications, especially bisphosphonates or blood thinners, going to affect the procedure?
3. Is my blood sugar well controlled if I have diabetes?
4. Am I a candidate for All-on-4 if I have lost multiple teeth?
5. What does the full treatment timeline look like from today to final crown?
6. What does the cost include and are payment plans available?

A good implant dentist will do a full medical history review and a cone beam CT scan before recommending anything. If a dentist recommends implants without imaging your bone first, find a different dentist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 70 too old for dental implants?

No. Clinical studies show 92% implant success rates in older adults over follow-up periods of up to 16 years. Age is not a disqualifying factor.

Can a 75 or 80 year old get dental implants?

Yes, provided they are medically suitable. The evidence that age alone doesn’t predict implant failure applies to older elderly patients as well, not just those in their early 70s.

Do dental implants last a lifetime?

The implant post can last decades and in many cases a lifetime. The crown on top may need replacement after 15 to 25 years depending on wear. Regular dental check-ups extend the life of both.

Are implants painful for older patients?

The procedure is done under local anaesthetic. Most patients report that implant placement is less uncomfortable than a tooth extraction. Post-procedure soreness typically resolves within a few days.

What if I have bone loss in my jaw?

Bone grafting can often restore enough bone volume for implants. Your dentist assesses this with a CT scan. Not all bone loss situations require grafting, and not all grafts require a lengthy wait before implant placement.

Are All-on-4 implants suitable for seniors?

Yes. All-on-4 is often the most practical and cost-effective solution for seniors who have lost most or all of their teeth. Four implants support a full fixed arch, restoring full chewing function and stopping further bone loss.

About the author

Dr. Paul Soryal

Dr. Paul Soryal is a highly qualified clinician at Genesis Dentists, holding a unique academic background across medical science, pharmacy, and advanced dentistry. After completing a Bachelor of Medical Science and a Master of Pharmacy, he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Melbourne.

Committed to staying at the forefront of dental advancements, Dr. Soryal has completed intensive postgraduate training, including a Postgraduate Diploma in Orthodontics from Bolton University in London, an Excellence in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics (EODO) qualification, and advanced certification in Implantology from the International Academy of Advanced Dentistry (IAAD). He is a proud member of the prestigious Pierre Fauchard Academy and is fully registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Connect on LinkedIn →

Sources

1. Bryant SR, Zarb GA (1998) “Osseointegration of oral implants in older and younger adults” The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants. PMID: 9714955
2. Zarb GA, Schmitt A (1994) “Osseointegration for elderly patients: the Toronto study” The Journal of prosthetic dentistry. PMID: 7844761
3. (2012) “Dental implants in frail elderly adults: a benefit or a liability?” British Dental Journal. DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2012.694
4. Ma Y, Wang S, Wang H, Chen X, Shuai Y, Wang H, et al. (2023) “Mesenchymal stem cells and dental implant osseointegration during aging: from mechanisms to therapy” Stem cell research & therapy. PMID: 38124153
5. Dao TT, Anderson JD, Zarb GA (1993) “Is osteoporosis a risk factor for osseointegration of dental implants?” The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants. PMID: 8359868
6. Wagner W, Esser E, Ostkamp K (1998) “Osseointegration of dental implants in patients with and without radiotherapy” Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden). PMID: 10050989
7. Esser E, Wagner W (1997) “Dental implants following radical oral cancer surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy” The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants. PMID: 9274085
8. Javed F, Al-Hezaimi K, Al-Rasheed A, Almas K, Romanos GE (2010) “Implant survival rate after oral cancer therapy: a review” Oral oncology. PMID: 21055997