Dental Implants for Seniors
Continuous work is needed to keep the body healthy as we age. Regular exercise and a good diet help but oral health is also a factor in staying healthy. Good oral hygiene, along with regular cleanings and checkups, help maintain oral health but with even the most thorough regimen, losing teeth is a possibility. Fortunately for seniors, dentures are no longer the only remedy for replacing lost teeth as dental implants dayton are quickly becoming a more popular restoration.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are surgically placed by an oral surgeon or periodontist during an outpatient procedure while the patient is under local or general anesthesia. The surgeon first opens the patient’s gumline and small titanium rods are implanted into the jawbone. After placing the implant, a period of months is needed to allow the implant and jawbone to fuse together through a process known as osseointegration. Once fully fused, a connector is attached to the implant and a replacement crown or prosthesis is mounted.
Why Are Dental Implants Preferable for Seniors?
Surgery to place dental implants is comfortable and a straightforward method for seniors to restore the appearance and functionality of their mouths while improving their quality of life. Advanced age does not prohibit someone from being a candidate for dental implant surgery though underlying medical conditions, like insufficient jawbone density, could prevent candidacy or require additional procedures prior to implant surgery.
Many seniors find dental implants to be a preferable alternative to traditional removable dentures. Conventional dentures, which rest on the patient’s gums, are prone to shifting out of place, can create functionality issues, and can affect appearance. Because dental implants are secured directly into the jawbone, they offer a more stable, secure restoration that can last a lifetime.
Dental Implants: Top 5 Advantages for Seniors
- Better Eating: With no limitations on chewing or biting capabilities, seniors can enjoy the foods they love without irritation or pain. Overall nutrition can be improved, and proper chewing can help the digestive process.
- Improved Appearance: Having missing teeth or bulky dentures can be unattractive, make a person self-conscious, cause them to isolate themselves, and could lead to depression. Many seniors find that dental implants offer superior aesthetics compared to conventional dentures.
- More Comfortable: As previously mentioned, conventional dentures are prone to shifting out of place leading to pain or discomfort. Because they are securely attached to the jawbone, dental implants avoid this pitfall and offer a more comfortable, and stable, restoration.
- More Economical: Conventional dentures, while less costly initially than dental implants, require maintenance and can eventually break. Because they are a permanent solution, dental implants are less costly long-term than other restoration options.
- Easier to Care for: Dentures are prone to slipping out of place, can stain easily, and have to be removed for cleaning. Because they are permanently fixed in place, dental implants can be cared for the same way natural teeth are. As such, no modifications to flossing or brushing routines are needed.