Quick outline:
- Why I chose implants at 67
- What the process felt like, step by step
- Pain, healing, and daily life
- Cost and time I spent
- What I loved, what bugged me
- Who I think it fits
Why I Finally Did It
I’m 67, and I’d lost two lower molars on my left side. Years of gum trouble caught up with me. My old partial denture slipped when I ate apples. It clicked when I laughed. Cute? Not really. I kept a tiny tube of denture paste in my purse like it was lip balm. Tired of it.
My dentist said dental implants could help. Not bridge work, not another plastic thing, but “posts” that act like roots. Real chewing again. That got me. You know what? I missed corn on the cob at summer cookouts. I wanted that back.
If you're looking for more firsthand guidance on aging well and smart dental choices, I found the articles at Today's Seniors Network straightforward and reassuring. For a blow-by-blow account, you can read my honest first-hand review of dental implants for seniors.
What I Got Done
I had two implants placed in my lower left jaw. My oral surgeon used a 3D X-ray (they called it a CBCT) and a plastic guide to set the angle. The brand was Straumann. He showed me the tiny titanium post. Looked like a short screw. Not scary. Small.
We planned light oral sedation and numbing shots. No IV. I brought my daughter to drive me home. A simple plan works best when you’re a little anxious.
Surgery Day: Short, Weird, and Fine
Time in the chair: about 90 minutes. He placed both posts, and one small bone graft where my bone was thin. The “graft” part worried me, but it felt like pressure, not pain. I heard a gentle tap-tap and a soft whir. Odd, but not awful.
Right after, my mouth felt puffy and numb. I got gauze, a tiny ice pack, and clear written steps. I took ibuprofen at home and had a cold applesauce. I napped with my cat on my lap. Not a bad afternoon, honestly.
Pain? Day 1 was a 3 out of 10. Day 2 felt sore, like I bit my cheek. Bruising was light and yellow by day 3. I used ice the first day, then warm washcloths after. I did salt water swishes. No heavy spit, no straws. I learned the hard way once with a straw—you can pull at the clot. Not fun.
The Healing Stretch (Patience Was the Hard Part)
My implants needed time to “bond” with my bone. They didn’t say the big word; they just said the bone grabs the post. That took almost four months for me. I wore a tiny, clear flipper just for looks at big events, but I skipped it most days. It rubbed my gum.
Food during healing: soft and boring, but safe.
- Mashed potatoes
- Scrambled eggs
- Tuna with mayo
- Greek yogurt with honey
- Banana slices
- Tender salmon
I cut steak small. I parked crunchy bread on the other side. I also kept a little notebook of what I could eat without thinking. It seems silly, but it helped when I was tired at night.
A small scare: week two, my gum around one healing cap felt tender and shiny. I worried it was infected. It wasn’t. The cap just needed a tiny clean. The hygienist used a soft tool and showed me how to sweep around it with a little brush. Gentle, slow, and it settled down.
Crown Day: The Bite Came Back
After the bone check, the dentist added abutments (the tiny connectors) and then the crowns. He tested the bite with blue paper. I heard about torque and numbers, but to me it felt like this: click, grind, adjust—then sweet balance. I chewed a piece of roast chicken that night. No slip. No wiggle. I might’ve cried a little.
They made my crowns ceramic to match my other teeth. Shade A2. He even added a tiny line so they didn’t look too perfect. I liked that. Real teeth have stories.
Cost and Time (The Part No One Loves)
- Consult and 3D scan: $250
- Two implants placed: $3,200 each
- Abutments and two crowns: $1,200 each
- Total I paid: about $8,850
If you’re curious how my numbers compare to national averages, this thorough Forbes guide on how much dental implants cost lays everything out—including single-tooth and full-arch estimates.
My dental plan covered $1,000. Medicare didn’t help. I used my HSA for some of it, which took the sting down. From consult to final crown, it was just over 5 months. I had three main visits plus quick checks.
P.S. While crunching numbers, I also dug into how other pricey health needs fit into a fixed budget; this guide on what insurance covers hearing aids for seniors helped me see how benefits really work.
Meds, Health Stuff, and Being Careful
I take a blood thinner. My surgeon called my heart doctor first. They set a safe plan, and I stayed on it. No drama. If you take daily meds, bring a full list. I put mine on a sticky note on my debit card so I wouldn’t forget. Old lady trick, but it works.
I don’t smoke, and my sugar is steady. My dentist said those things help healing. I can’t speak for anyone else, of course—I’m not a dentist. I’m just sharing what mattered for me.
Cleaning Now: A Tiny New Habit
I brush with a soft brush and non-whitening paste. I use a water flosser most nights and a small gum brush around the base. Two minutes. Maybe three if I’m watching a baking show. If I skip, my gum gets a bit grumpy. It tells on me.
The Good Stuff
- Chewing: Back to normal. Steak, apples, corn on the cob—yes.
- Comfort: No sore spots. No glue. No clicking.
- Speech: My S’s sound like me again.
- Looks: The crowns match. No one can tell. My grandkid didn’t even notice, and she notices everything.
Feeling more confident in my smile also nudged me to dip a toe back into the social world—something I hadn’t done since my denture days. If new teeth have you curious about meeting people again, you can explore the laid-back dating environment at SnapFuck. The platform focuses on quick, no-pressure connections for mature adults, so you can test the waters of companionship without the usual awkwardness.
For seniors who’d rather keep things hyper-local and maybe meet someone over coffee in South Florida, the neighborhood bulletin vibe of Backpage Deerfield Beach offers a scrollable list of nearby personals and community postings, making it simple to spot casual get-togethers or like-minded friends without committing to a full-scale dating site.
The Not-So-Good
- Price: It’s a lot. No way around it.
- Time: You wait months. The waiting tests you.
- Food rules: Soft food early on. Boring, but safe.
- Stress: Any mouth surgery is a little scary, even with kind staff.
Two Tiny Moments That Sold Me
- At my grandson’s soccer game, I ate a caramel square by mistake and braced for the old denture pop. Nothing moved. I laughed out loud. He thought I was cheering.
- Thanksgiving, I had turkey skin, crunchy and salty, with no fear. I ate slow, took small bites, and felt…normal. I hadn’t felt that way at a big meal in years.
Who I Think This Fits
- Folks who hate loose dentures and want firm chewing again
- People who can handle a slow process and follow simple rules
- Seniors with steady health who can get a green light from their doctors
If your gums or bones are very thin, your dentist may talk about grafts. Mine did one small graft, and it was fine. If you grind your teeth, ask about a night guard. I got a thin one, and I use it when I’m stressed.
If you’re missing most of your teeth and want to avoid individual implants, read up on the All-on-4 concept—a full-arch option that uses just four posts to secure an entire row of teeth.
Little Things That Helped Me
- I prepped soft meals in freezer cups: soup, mashed yams, chili.
- I kept ice packs ready and clean pillowcases.
- I asked up front about exact costs and the brand they use.
- I booked my check-ins early mornings. Less waiting, less worry.
- For days when lifting my arms felt tender, a [front-closure bra for seniors that actually worked for me](https://todaysseniorsnetwork.com/front-closure-bras-for-seniors-what-