Dental Implant Over 60
Many seniors assume that tooth loss plus aging adds up to conventional dentures – the ones their parents and even grandparents likely wore. Having watched those around them quietly struggle with conventional dentures that slipped around, made them uncomfortable, and prevented them from eating the kinds of foods they once enjoyed, this is not a happy prospect. While conventional dentures have improved a great deal and there are better options today than there were in the past, there is also an option that many seniors overlook: dental implants.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a form of tooth replacement that can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or all of the teeth in one’s mouth. Unlike conventional dentures, which rest over the top of the gumline and rely on gravity and sticky adhesives to keep them in place, dental implants are created to mimic the organic structure of natural teeth, from the roots to the crown.
The creation of dental implants requires surgical intervention to embed the implant fixture below the gumline. This can be a deterrent for some, who worry about undergoing surgery when they could have something made quickly and inexpensively without all the trouble and fuss. Once installed, however, dental implants can last a lifetime, and they can also provide a tremendous increase in quality of life for people of all ages.
Benefits of Dental Implants for Seniors
Osteoporosis and bone loss are real concerns as we age. This is particularly true for women. While it is true that extensive bone loss could indeed prevent one from being a candidate for dental implants, technology has come a long way and mini dental implants can often be an option. What’s more, because the implant fixture of a dental implant is sunk all the way into the jawbone, mimicking the roots of one’s teeth, dental implants actually help stave off further bone loss, increasing bone health and also preserving the structure of one’s face.
While the process of creating dental implants is more involved than manufacturing a new set of dentures, caring for dental implants is a far simpler process. In many cases, dental implants need not be removed and soaked at night – they can simply be brushed like one’s natural teeth. If removability is preferrable, that is also an option that can be requested.
Above all, the ease and comfort of dental implants is what has made them today’s top choice in tooth replacement at any age. Strong, durable, and attractive, dental implants also stay put in one’s mouth and afford many more options in terms of the foods one is able to enjoy.
Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
Only you and your dentist can decide if dental implants are for you, but they are certainly an option worth considering. Why spend your golden years struggling with bulky dentures and worrying about what you should or shouldn’t eat? Whatever decision you make, just remember that these are the teeth you’ll be using every day for the rest of your life. Shouldn’t they be the best and most comfortable they can be?