As people age, the likelihood of losing teeth increases. Once this happens, seniors are left with a few replacement options. One outstanding option for seniors is dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium rods that are placed in the jawbone to hold one or more prosthetic teeth in place. They are excellent for replacing anywhere from a single tooth to an entire row of teeth. This makes them a very attractive option for seniors who have begun to experience tooth loss and those who are looking for an alternative to traditional dentures.
The Benefits of Dental Implants for Seniors
There are many benefits of dental implants for seniors. Some of these benefits include:
- A Stunning Smile. One of the best parts of dental implants is how attractive they are. Implants are often made with materials like porcelain or ceramic. This offers a realistic look that completes a patient’s smile in a way that looks very natural.
- Security. If you have traditional dentures, you know how hard they are to keep in place. Implant dentures provide a level of strength and security that simply can’t be matched by traditional dentures. You can eat many of your favorite foods without worrying about your dentures moving.
- Jawbone strength. What many people don’t know is that teeth are actually pretty important for the strength and integrity of the jawbone. Without teeth, a person’s jawbone can begin to deteriorate over time, causing major functional and cosmetic issues. Dental implants help to maintain jawbone strength and prevent deterioration.
- Boost in confidence. No one likes having a gap in their smile. Dental implants help to fill the gap in a person’s teeth, allowing them to smile wide without worrying about how their smile looks. This can, in turn, boost confidence and self-esteem.
- Easier eating. If you have missing teeth, you may be missing some of your favorite foods. Dental implants provide you with a strong bite, allowing you to eat many of your favorite foods without worry.
Am I a Candidate?
To determine whether or not you are a candidate for dental implants, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with a dentist for an examination. One consideration will be your jawbone integrity. If your jawbone has begun to deteriorate, you either may not be a candidate or you may need a bone graft to strengthen your jawbone.
Cost may also be a factor, as the initial cost of dental implants is higher than other replacement options. With that said, they are also very long-lasting and can help prevent other oral health issues in the future.
Reach Out Today
If you have one or more missing teeth and you are considering dental implants, reach out today. We’ll schedule an appointment for a top dentist to look at your teeth, gums, and jawbone to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants. If so, we can set an appointment to start the implant process.