Is It Possible to Get Dental Implants After Menopause?

If you’re interested in replacing your missing teeth, then you’ve likely heard about all the ways that dental implants are the best option available today. Since they’re built just like natural teeth, they help you look and feel as if your pearly whites had never been lost. However, if you’ve been through menopause, you might be wondering whether it’s even possible to receive dental implants. Read on to learn how menopause can impact your oral health and why you can very likely still enjoy a complete, lifelike smile!

How Menopause Can Affect Your Eligibility for Dental Implants

The hormonal changes that accompany menopause can affect several areas of the body, including the mouth and jaw. Therefore, your candidacy for dental implants might also be influenced. Two of the most common bodily changes that can occur are:

Decreased Jawbone Density

During and after menopause, estrogen levels drop. Because this hormone plays a major role in bone health, lower levels of estrogen increase the chances of osteoporosis – a condition that makes the bones more fragile and less dense. If your jawbone loses enough density, it may become unable to give dental implants the support they need.

Dry Mouth

Another common side effect of menopause (and many medications commonly taken by people of a certain age) is dry mouth. Essentially, this means your body doesn’t produce enough saliva to wash lingering food debris and bacteria off of your teeth and gums. As a result, you may be more likely to develop a bacterial infection called gum disease. Left untreated, gum disease greatly increases the risk of dental implant failure by damaging the bone and gum tissue keeping the implant in place.

Can Postmenopausal Women Still Get Dental Implants?

Some studies have shown that menopausal and postmenopausal women are more likely than others to experience dental implant failure. However, this doesn’t mean that menopause automatically disqualifies you from getting dental implants.

To find out if you’re eligible, you’ll need to speak with your dentist and your primary care physician. If menopause has lowered your estrogen levels or caused you to develop gum disease, you may be able to get dental implants after going through hormone replacement therapy or periodontal treatment. After you’ve received your implants, you’ll have to practice good oral health habits, such as daily brushing and regular checkups, to help them stand the test of time.

Even though menopause can lead to certain health issues that could complicate dental implant treatment, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can never enjoy a complete set of teeth again. Be sure to speak with your dentist and discover what you need to do to take full advantage of the amazing benefits that dental implants have to offer!

About the Practice

At Advanced Dental Care of Springfield, we aim to give patients in Springfield, IL beautiful, healthy smiles that are built to last. Our team, led by several excellent dentists, can perform a variety of dentistry procedures in-house, including dental implant surgery. We’re happy to do whatever you need to ensure that you qualify for dental implants, even if you’ve experienced menopause. To explore your dental implant options, reach out to us via our website or by phone at (217)-546-3333.