Implants for the ageing population.

Dental implant treatment has established benefits over traditional alternatives. Age-related changes in systemic and oral health in conjunction with social, economic and resource considerations often introduce complexities into dental implant treatment of ageing patients. When time, opportunity, discomfort and maintenance costs are coupled with cost-benefit and quality of life predictions, otherwise simple treatment decisions can become more difficult. Implants for different types of prostheses in both arches and the different types of prostheses themselves present a variety of treatment challenges, risks, benefits and maintenance requirements. This narrative review discusses selective literature pertinent to the provision of dental implant treatment in the ageing population.