A lifetime of good oral hygiene can provide steady return on investment, helping keep the mouth and the teeth healthy and free of decay. No matter how closely we may follow dentists’ recommendations for maintaining optimal oral health, however, sometimes people lose teeth for one reason or another, and aging can contribute to the loss of the natural teeth. Thanks to countless innovations in dentistry, however, there are comfortable, attractive options for replacement teeth for senior citizens; the ill-fitting and uncomfortable removable dentures our parents and grandparents used are a thing of the past. Dental implant surgery is a reasonable and effective way for senior citizens to help improve their quality of life and the appearance of their smiles.
Dental implants are surgically implanted into the jawbone by a dental specialist -- usually either a periodontist or a prosthodontist. These dental implants are tiny metal cylinders that fuse with the jawbone, in a process called osseointegration. Once osseointegration has occurred and the implants have completely healed into the bone, an abutment and crown are attached to the top of the implant fixture, completing the dental restoration.
Dental implants can provide aging patients with numerous significant advantages, each of which can offer a number of fringe benefits. For example, dental implants can fully restore the wearer’s ability to bite and chew a vast array of foods -- foods that may have once led to irritation or pain. Hard or crunchy fruits and vegetables can be reintroduced into the implant wearer’s diet, and the overall variety of available and enjoyable foods can increase exponentially for people with implant-supported dental restorations. This nutritional variety, combined with an improved ability to thoroughly chew all foods, often leads to increased general health and can improve energy levels, digestion, and the overall enjoyment of life.
Dental implants can also restore the wearer’s smile in ways that removable dentures can’t. Dental implants are custom fitted and can also be custom made specifically to match the wearer’s natural teeth in alignment, color, and shape. Any nervousness associated with removable dentures loosening or falling out will fall by the wayside as the wearer of dental implants smiles confidently in family photos, on dates, or just while laughing wholeheartedly. Additionally, there is no worry associated with visibly missing teeth; these teeth are replaced with attractive and secure implant-supported dental prostheses. While appearance may not seem important to some, an increased sense of self-esteem is important no matter the person’s age. This confidence helps people feel better about themselves. Being able to eat and enjoy favorite foods helps people feel better about themselves. And feeling better about yourself improves overall health and well-being.
In addition to nutritional, aesthetic, and emotional benefits, dental implants can help the wearer save money. When traditional removable dentures break, which happens regularly, it costs money to fix them. It also costs money to adjust the size and fit of removable dentures as the jaw changes in shape and size, which happens when natural teeth and their roots are removed from the jaw. Dental implants are designed to last a long time and can be considered a permanent dental solution, providing significant savings in the long run. Dental implants are also far easier to care for than traditional removable dentures. Conventional dentures are prone to slipping in the mouth, and they become stained very easily. They must be removed for regular cleaning. Because dental implants are fixed in place, they can be cleaned just as natural teeth are cleaned. They are also far more comfortable than removable dentures and more closely resemble natural teeth in their form, function, feel, and appearance. If you are a senior citizen and have thought about dentures, talk to your dentist about dental implants instead; they will help you live out your golden years in style, comfort, and health.