Dental Implants for Seniors

Job 115 Top Implants 1 – Dental Implants for Seniors
As people age, work must continually be done to keep their bodies healthy. While regular exercise and a good diet critical parts of maintaining health, oral health is important as well.
Proper oral hygiene practices and regular checkups are the best methods for ensuring sound oral health but despite the best efforts, some people will inevitably lose teeth during their lives. Fortunately for seniors, there are options beyond dentures for replacing missing teeth. One such option seniors are increasingly turning to is dental implants which will be the focus of this article.

Dental Implants Overview
The process for obtaining dental implants begins in the dentist’s office with an initial consultation to assess the scope of the patient’s condition. This examination will be used to determine the location and number of implants needed.
A periodontist or prosthodontist surgically attaches the dental implants during an outpatient procedure while the patient is under local anesthesia. During surgery, small metal posts are implanted into the patient’s jawbone that will act as replacement tooth roots. After surgery, the implants fuse with the jawbone over a period of months to create a strong foundation for a connector and prosthetic crown to be mounted.

Why Are Dental Implants Good for Seniors?
Age is not prohibitive when considering whether to undergo dental implant surgery. As such, it is never “too late” for seniors to restore the look and chewing capabilities of their teeth. Dental implants offer a number of benefits for seniors when compared to other options like traditional dentures or dental bridges. Some of these benefits include:
* Easier to Eat: Because conventional dentures simply rest on the gums, they have the tendency to shift in the mouth leading to difficulties when chewing and eating. Since dental implants are permanently secured in place in the patient’s jawbone, chewing and biting capabilities are fully restored. This allows the patient to enjoy a wide variety of foods they enjoy without limitation. The ability to properly chew also aids in digestion which is an added health benefit.
* Look Better Than Dentures: Conventional dentures often look bulky while dental implants blend seamlessly in the patient’s mouth. And because the dental implant materials can be shaped and color-matched to replicate the patient’s natural teeth, they are more aesthetically pleasing than dentures.
* More Comfortable: As previously mentioned, traditional dentures can shift in the mouth and become ill-fitting. This not only creates functionality issues but can be irritating and uncomfortable for the wearer. Dental implants avoid these pitfalls and through their direct interaction with the jaw, feel more natural.
* Could be More Cost Efficient: While dentures may be less costly initially, over time, they will wear down, break, and require maintenance which will contribute to cost to the patient. With a larger one-time investment, dental implants are a more effective long-term solution.
* Easier Than Dentures to Care for: Dentures stain easily and have to be removed for cleaning. Because they are permanently fixed in place, patients can care for their implants as they otherwise would their natural teeth.