Why Should Seniors Consider Getting Dental Implants?

Age is often considered to be one of the prime criteria for dental implants, particularly as many people experience a greater degree of tooth loss as they get older. In reality, the main concern for dental implant clinics is that a patient needs to be in good health and have sufficient bone in their jaw in which to place dental implants.

Due to medical advances, the population is living longer with a higher level of dental hygiene and as a result, older people are increasingly looking for a solution to long term permanent fixed teeth. In the past, the only choice of tooth replacement was removable dentures which were often associated with discomfort and poor functionality - sometimes even leaving users with the inability to eat specific foods. Whilst poor health or insufficient bone in the jaw can rule out some potential implant patients, there are plenty of reasons why seniors might consider getting dental implant treatments.

Why Should I Consider Dental Implants?

There are three key aspects of dental implants that make them a serious consideration for people of all ages, and particularly seniors;

1. Durability
2. Maintenance
3. Wearing Experience 
   
   

Dental implants are regarded as the most direct replacement for natural teeth due to their ability to last for a lifetime if well taken care of, particularly compared to dentures and other treatment options which have a limited lifetime. They also preserve jaw structure and minimise the impact on any remaining natural teeth that a patient may wish to preserve.

Properly placed and fully healed implants also do not need any exceptional repair or replacement procedures beyond the routine you would normally use to care for your natural teeth. This also applies to the cleaning of dental implants, which can be brushed in the same manner.

In contrast to dentures, dental implants do not provide a wearing experience that differs from that of natural teeth, which highlights the functional difference between the two options. Dental implants can work as a one-time solution that delivers the normal experience of eating, speaking, and maintaining natural teeth. Moreover, they importantly retain your natural jaw structure because they are rooted in the jaw bone. 

What Can Affect Your Dental Implant Suitability?

Dental implant suitability is always judged on a patient-by-patient basis, after consultation with your dental implant surgeon. Lead by Dr Gary Moynes, with over 30 years of experience in dental implantology, we offer a comprehensive and detailed assessment of your dental condition. Then, after listening to your wishes, provide the options that will provide your desired outcome. However, there are a few things that may affect your suitability for dental implant surgery, including health conditions and lifestyle habits that could act as risk factors for prospective patients.

The gums and jawbone both play a very important role in the success of dental implants, and form an integral part of judging a patient’s suitability for treatments. The titanium root of a dental implant fuses with the jawbone to stay in place. This process is called osseointegration, and it will fail if the jawbone isn't dense enough to secure the implant. In some cases, oral surgeons are able to overcome this limitation by grafting bone tissue from other parts of the body.

Gum tissue provides further support and protection for implant roots and a platform for the crown to rest on. Gum degradation presents another obstacle for implant installation because it is usually a symptom of periodontal disease. Patients with periodontal disease will often continue to lose gum tissue unless they make significant changes to their dental hygiene habits, and the risk of infection after implantation is greater.