Successful osseointegration promises a virtual panacea for the edentul
ous predicament. However, the impact of this technique on specific age
groups is far from clear. In an attempt to determine the efficacy and
effectiveness of implant-supported prostheses in geriatric patients,
the treatment outcomes of elderly patients already included in ongoing
clinical trials were assessed. The following preliminary observations
were made: (1) being elderly is not a contraindication to long-term i
mplant survival; (2) successful osseointegration can be maintained irr
espective of a patient's oral hygiene performance; and (3) diverse pro
sthesis designs appear feasible.