Dental Implants for Seniors
It is important to maintain good oral hygiene habits throughout ones entire life, but this practice of self-care becomes especially important as we age. To help ensure your sustained oral health, it is essential to practice good oral hygiene habits, eat a healthy diet, and schedule regular examinations and cleanings. Unfortunately, even if we follow these best practices, it is still natural to lose a few teeth as we continue to age. Fortunately, dental implant surgery provides a safe, effective, and long-lasting solution for seniors who have lost one or multiple teeth and want to return to having a full, healthy looking smile.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Although everyone wants to have a full, healthy looking smile and continue enjoying their favorite foods, not every patient is a viable candidate for dental implants. To ensure that you qualify for this procedure, it will be necessary to first schedule an evaluation. During this evaluation, your periodontist will thoroughly review your oral and health history, and if necessary, determine the underlying cause of your tooth loss. This initial evaluation will also include diagnostic exams to determine if there is enough jawbone material to support an implant, and if not, whether a bone graft or alternative treatment may need to be considered.
Advantages of Dental Implants for Seniors
As a senior, you will enjoy many benefits having dental implants that will improve your overall appearance and quality of life. Some of the ways in which dental implants will improve your life include:
- Enhanced Ability to Enjoy Different Foods: One of the biggest functional benefits that come with dental implants is your restored chewing and biting capabilities. Foods that may have once caused irritation and pain, such as vegetables and fruits or other crunchy foods can now be enjoyed in full. In addition to the enjoyment you will experience from these foods, you will also receive proper nutrition, which can improve your overall energy level and your general health. Being able to chew properly will also aid in the digestion process.
- Improved Appearance: Having a full smile can make a tremendous difference in your sense of self-worth and give you the confidence to smile proudly when asked to take a photograph with your children or grandchildren. Having a full set of teeth also makes you appear younger and conveys vitality.
- Feel Better/Live Better: Having enhanced self-confidence impacts all areas of our lives. Once you begin to feel better about the way you look, you may be surprised to see that you begin to take more proactive measures to improve other areas of your life as well.
- Save Money: Although dental implants can be an expensive process compared to dentures, unlike dentures they do not require constant maintenance, are not prone to breaking, and do not need to be refit regularly. Dental implants provide a long-term solution that can last for decades, provided you take care of them, which will end up saving you money in the long run.
If you have been debating whether or not dental implants are right for you or have concerns about the procedure or your candidacy given your age, contact your periodontist for an evaluation. They can answer any questions you have and provide their professional recommendation as to whether dental implants or other treatment options are best suited for your needs and personal treatment goals.