Implants for Those Aged 65 and Over: Are You Eligible?

65+ Implants: If You Qualify, Are You Eligible?

As we age,

the degeneration of periodontal tissues and tooth loss

that naturally occur are

common problems that many older adults experience.

In particular, weakened chewing function or gum disease

can often eventually lead to tooth extraction.

If you lose a tooth,

you may experience various inconveniences,

so for functional recovery and improved aesthetics,

treatments such as dentures, bridges, and implants

should be considered.

Among them, implant treatment

is currently recognized as a method that can restore

the function most similar to natural teeth,

and it is becoming increasingly preferred among older adults.

An implant consists of three components.

🦷 Fixture: The artificial root. It is placed in the jawbone

and serves the role of a tooth root.

🦷 Abutment: The intermediate part that connects

the fixture and the prosthesis (crown).

🦷 Crown: The artificial tooth visible from the outside,

responsible for chewing function and aesthetics.

Implant treatment proceeds in the following order:

fixture placement → healing period (osseointegration period) → prosthesis attachment

and the duration or treatment method may vary depending on

the patient’s gum condition and overall health status.

In the past, implant treatment

was entirely out-of-pocket,

so it was a particularly heavy financial burden

for older patients.

Fortunately, if certain conditions are met now,

you can receive cost support through

the National Health Insurance,

so if you qualify,

you can make active use of it.

✔ Age 65 or older

✔ National Health Insurance subscriber or dependent

✔ Partial edentulism (only some teeth lost)

• Complete edentulism

is excluded from insurance coverage.

65+ implants

can be covered by insurance for up to two teeth for life

with only a 30% copayment,

and they can be applied to both front teeth and molars

without site restrictions.

Thanks to these benefits,

older adults who had postponed treatment

for financial reasons

now have the opportunity to consider implants.

However, if additional procedures such as bone grafting

or sinus lift are required,

please note that those costs are incurred separately.

Sometimes people put off treatment after tooth loss

because they do not want the hassle of treatment

or because the cost feels burdensome.

If tooth loss is left untreated,

it can lead not only to functional inconveniences such as chewing problems

and aesthetic discomfort,

but also to various other issues such as

accelerated alveolar bone resorption,

movement and misalignment of surrounding teeth.

So please visit a dental clinic as soon as possible

and receive treatment. Modern society has entered the 100-year life era.

What matters is not simply living longer,

but living healthily for longer.

At the center of that is oral health,

and among it, restoration of tooth function

is a very important factor.

If you make good use of the 65+ implant system,

you can receive highly satisfying treatment

while reducing the burden,

so please consider using it actively.

"The time you think it is too late

is the earliest time." 😄🦷

Seoul of Dental Hospital

4F, 5F, 196 Baekjegobun-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul