Dental Implants for Seniors
Gone are the days in which conventional dentures were the only option for seniors who need to replace single or even multiple missing teeth. Today, dental implants offer a whole host of benefits to seniors in the market for new teeth, from attractive, natural-looking appearance to extreme durability and a solid installation that will not budge during talking or eating.
How are Dental Implants Different from Dentures?
While conventional dentures – made from acrylic and dental composites – are made to fit over the gumline, offering a bulky solution that builds over the structure of the mouth, dental implants are designed to mimic natural teeth from the roots to the crown.
Rather than fitting in over the gumline, dental implants are composed of three small pieces, two of which are not even visible! The base structure, the implant fixture, is a tiny post that is surgically embedded into the jawbone, where it is then left to fuse with the bone. This anchored structure is what gives dental implants their notable strength and durability. Once the implant fixture has fused with the hard tissue of the jawbone, an abutment or connecting piece is then attached to it. Finally, the implant crown – or prosthetic tooth – is placed on to the abutment. This can be either permanent or removable, but unlike conventional dentures, the implant crown fits in with the rest of the teeth and there is nothing above the surface of the gumline (except for the crown) to take up space, move around, or in any other way cause problems to its wearer.
If you’re tired of your conventional dentures floating around in your mouth and moving and shifting at inopportune moments, it might be time to talk to your dentist about updating your tooth replacement technology to dental implants. Many seniors find that they provide a welcomed change to their daily lives, and that the benefits are well worth the time and money it takes to create and install them.
Benefits of Dental Implants for Seniors
The benefits of dental implants for seniors are many. At the top of many wearer’s lists is comfort, as dental implants are simply much more comfortable to wear than conventional dentures. They are also simpler to clean and maintain; because dental implants are installed via the carefully designed three-part system in a way that mimics natural teeth, they are taken care of in exactly the same way. All it takes to clean and maintain dental implants is the regular brushing, flossing, and overall good oral hygiene that you are already practicing.
While the upfront cost of implant fixtures can seem considerable, they are actually more cost-effective in the long run, given that require less maintenance and intervention from one’s dentist. Put quite simply, dental implants are built to last, which means less money spent over time.
Finally, implant fixtures can contribute a great deal to one’s quality of life. From increased ease of eating foods that were difficult or impossible with conventional dentures to simply looking and feeling more like oneself, dental implant fixtures can help boost confidence and enjoyment in their wearers, which might be the best part of all.
If you think that dental implants might be right for you, call your dentist today for a personalized consultation and more information.