If one or several of your teeth are missing due to an accident or disease, then you may need to look into different ways to replace them. Some patients may opt for complete dentures, while others may look into partials or bridges.
Another popular option to help replace missing teeth is a dental implant. A dental implant will essentially replace roots that are missing, providing strong support for your synthetic replacement tooth.
Implants are also designed to look just like your natural teeth, so they will indistinguishable when you smile or speak. They are quite comfortable, to the point that you will forget that they are even there in due time.
Dental implants are made of titanium metal and serve as an artificial root. When a natural tooth root is lost, an implant can be inserted into the patient’s jawbone to replace said root. A synthetic tooth is then attached to the implant in order to replace the lost tooth.
The implant serves as an anchor that prevents the artificial tooth from moving or shifting out of place. If you have sufficient bone in your jaw in order to hold the implant, then you may be eligible.
You will also need to have healthy gums and be in good general health in order to qualify. Here, we will discuss how dental implants help older patients.
Why should you get a dental implant?
Dental implants will help prevent bone loss. Dental implants currently serve as the only tooth replacement option in the dentistry field that helps replace jaw bone stimulation. As a result, they help prevent additional bone mass loss in your jaw and the altering of your face that comes with it.
They are designed to look like your other teeth. Dental implants come in all types of sizes and shapes and will be custom designed to match the colour of your other teeth.
They are made to fit perfectly into the gap so that no one will be aware of your implants unless you tell them. They also support adjacent teeth. It is common for teeth to move around in order to try and fill a gap, thus causing a misalignment in the process.
An implant will prevent your teeth from shifting, ensuring a straight and beautiful smile. Another benefit of dental implants is that they are a permanent solution. Many other tooth-replacement products will need to be repaired or even replaced in due time.
Dental implants, on the other hand, are designed to be permanent. Moreover, they are easy to care for. You do not have to worry about any specialized products or techniques in order to care for your implants as you would other dental apparatuses.
Simply brush and floss as you normally would and visit your dentist every 6 months, and your implants should last you a lifetime. Dental implants are designed to ameliorate your oral hygiene. They will help improve your confidence by replacing any gaps in your mouth in a discrete manner.
Dental implants will also protect you from dental infections and cavities. This is because dental implants are made of titanium, thus ensuring that they will not decay or be affected by bacteria and germs in the mouth.
Dental implants are also highly biocompatible, meaning they have a very low rate of rejection. In the end, a dental implant is designed to restore full functionality to your tooth so that you can talk, eat, drink, and smile as you normally would.
The Top Ways Dental Implants Can Help Older Patients
Dental implants are long-lasting and do not require any repairs or upkeep. Seniors do not have to worry about their implants after they have been set in place. Implants will support the artificial teeth in the patient’s mouth, allowing them to talk, eat, and drink without compromise.
In addition to being able to chew food properly, the patient will be protected from subsequent bone loss, which can be devastating for an older person in poor health. Facial features will also be improved by eliminating gaps and the risk of misaligned teeth.
The end result is a natural look that will help boost the self-esteem and confidence of the patient while commiserating with loved ones. Dental implants are very easy to care for as well. Simply brush and floss as you normally would, and follow up with your dentist every 6 months during routine checkups and the implants should last forever.
Dental implants are very affordable, and you won’t have to worry about any additional costs such as repairs or replacements in the future either. Dental care is important for people of all ages and walks of life, but it is especially vital for the elderly.
Studies have shown that poor oral hygiene is linked to hypertension, heart disease, and even certain forms of cancer, so it is imperative that people take care of their teeth, particularly if they are in a vulnerable age group.
If you are interested in dental implants in old age, then please speak to your dentist or oral surgeon.
What to Know Before Getting Dental Implants
If you smoke, then the risk of implant rejection will be elevated. You will also need to attend all of your appointments with your dentist to ensure that your implants are still in optimal condition. Furthermore, if you have weak bones, then you will likely not qualify for dental implants.
The dental implantation process is also quite long. It may take several appointments in order to finalize the process.
Protect Your Teeth for Life
Dental implants can help older patients retain their independence and enjoy a high quality of life well into their twilight years.
They require minimal upkeep and are designed to last a lifetime. Affordable, discrete, and very comfortable, they can help prevent cavities and infections and stop teeth from shifting.
They will allow patients to eat, talk, and drink as they normally would, and will help improve the self-esteem of patients while they are in social situations.
