Taking a Bite Out of Dentist’s Statement

We would like to respond to “An Aging World With Better Teeth” (May 16). Having placed approximately 5,000 implants with success rates of 98%-99% in the lower jaw and 93%-95% in the upper jaw, the statement (by Dr. Robert Shimasaki) that the bone in older patients won’t accept implants is simply a gross inaccuracy.

In fact, there is nothing published in the scientific literature that indicates any problems placing the Swedish Branemark Implant in older people strictly based on age. We have successfully placed this particular implant in hundreds of patients with roughly 60%-75% of those patients being over 55. From 17-year-olds to people in their 90s, this treatment not only improves function, but makes patients feel better about themselves.

DRS. ROBERT SHUKEN,

JEFFREY FOLTZ,

STANTON CANTER

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