Yes, a 70 year old can be a good candidate for a dental implant — age alone is not a disqualifying factor. The more relevant question is whether the patient has adequate bone density, healthy gums, and no uncontrolled systemic conditions that impair healing.

Dental implants in older adults succeed at rates comparable to younger patients when underlying health is well-managed. Conditions that raise real risk include uncontrolled diabetes, bisphosphonate use for osteoporosis, active gum disease, and insufficient jawbone volume from long-term tooth loss. A 70 year old on blood thinners or immunosuppressants also requires closer evaluation. The implant procedure itself is the same regardless of age — bone integration, not birthdate, determines outcome. For patients who aren't implant candidates, a custom removable partial denture built from a dental impression is a non-surgical alternative that avoids these medical risk factors entirely.

  • Dental implant success rates in adults over 65: approximately 95–98% in healthy, well-screened patients.
  • Bisphosphonate use (common in older adults for osteoporosis) raises risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw after implant surgery.
  • Minimum bone height for a standard implant placement: typically 10–12 mm in the implant site.
  • Osseointegration (bone fusing to implant) takes 3–6 months regardless of patient age.
  • A custom removable partial denture covers 1–6 adjacent missing teeth and requires no surgery or bone density threshold.

Safety Notes

  • Bisphosphonate use: Patients taking bisphosphonates for osteoporosis face elevated risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw — disclose all medications before any implant consultation.
  • Uncontrolled systemic disease: Active uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune conditions impair bone healing around implants — stable management must be confirmed before surgery proceeds.
  • Blood thinners and immunosuppressants: These medications affect surgical bleeding and post-operative healing — the prescribing physician must be consulted before implant placement is scheduled.
  • Active gum disease: Placing an implant into a mouth with untreated periodontal disease significantly increases implant failure risk — existing infection must be fully resolved first.
  • Insufficient bone volume: Proceeding without confirming adequate bone density and height risks implant failure or nerve damage — imaging such as a cone beam CT scan is required pre-surgery.