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Is it too late for me to get dental implants – Dental Implants for the Elderly
It is well known that the number of dental implant treatments performed on patients between the ages of 55 and 65 has significantly increased. The mental and physical toll that missing teeth take on a person’s quality of life is immense, which is why. In fact, more than half of baby boomers (51%) stated losing natural teeth substantially hinders their ability to chew and enjoy meals, compared with 44% of younger adults (years 18-50), according to the National Retirement Risk Index Center.
Depending on the circumstances, an individual’s age may be deemed too old for dental implants. The elderly person who has no natural teeth left and does not want dentures is an exception to this rule.
Patients in their 60s and older who want to restore missing teeth are increasingly turning to dental implants in recent years. You can determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants by reading this article.
Why Are Traditional Dentures Unsuitable For Elderly Patients
In essence, “fake teeth,” dentures (dental plates) are frequently composed of materials like acrylic or cast metal, with porcelain or plastic teeth attached. The dentures are made from molds of the patient’s teeth and jaws; the tooth sizes, forms, and colors are based on the neighboring teeth; the dentures are made to strike a compromise between the competing demands of aesthetics (improving the smile) and functionality (having a broad area of contact with the gum and other teeth to improve stability). Immediate dentures, also known as same-day teeth, all-on-four dentures, and teeth-in-a-day dentures, can be made in advance of a scheduled tooth extraction and inserted the same day as the teeth are extracted. Relining (renewal of the denture’s fitting surface) is frequently required three to four months after the denture was fitted due to changes in the supporting bone’s form after the extraction sites have healed.
The disadvantages of wearing dentures include discomfort from an unstable appliance, a huge appliance that causes gagging, a decreased sense of taste, trouble speaking and eating (the dentures tend to slide or dislodge when you chew or talk), and continual cleaning, maintenance, and replacement (periodical replacements due to ongoing bone loss).
In addition to causing permanent gum and jaw bone damage, wearing traditional dentures for an extended period of time might make it difficult for the older person to regulate the appliance in social and functional situations. To determine whether dental implants are a viable choice to replace your missing teeth, consult a professional.
Dental implants: What Are They Exactly
Dental implants make it possible to replace teeth that are almost as good as your natural teeth in the following ways:
The implant or crown can stand on its own (not reliant on or damaging to your other teeth)
The crown or implant is secured to your jaw (like a tooth root)
The implant or crown is durable (in well-maintained mouths, it may outlast all other dental treatments)
The implant or crown is maintained using common oral hygiene procedures (teeth brushing, flossing, and dental examinations).
Commercial-grade titanium, which is used to make dental implants, has been shown to be inert in humans and to encourage bone cell growth directly on the implant’s surface, making them the ideal tooth root replacement to support new crowns or dentures for patients.
Are Senior Citizens Good Dental Implant Candidates
Simple: “Yes” is the response. Elderly patients and those with low bone density (osteoporosis/osteopenia) can have dental implants with the same success and predictability as younger patients. It’s also important to note that osteoporosis, which is frequently treated with bone-sparing drugs (such bisphosphonates like Prolia, Fosamax, and Actonel), doesn’t always alter the outcome. Of course, expert surgical assistance is recommended.
You don’t have enough bone left to place dental implants, other dentists warned some of the patients I’ve successfully treated. As a specialist surgeon, I provide a variety of dental implant placement alternatives without the requirement for bone grafting or replacement (such as Zygomatic implants), enabling patients to enjoy the benefits of enjoyable eating and social interaction with confidence.
Really, there is no such thing as being “too old for dental implant treatment.” A generally healthy individual can get implants safely and predictably, which will significantly improve their quality of life, help them keep a healthy, balanced diet, and an active lifestyle, and allow them to remain just as confident and sociable as someone with their own natural teeth.
What Medical Procedures Can Elderly Patients Who Are Considering Dental Implants Choose
Prior to undergoing any dental implant procedure, you must consult with a specialist surgeon. A specialist surgeon’s extensive knowledge and broad experience will help you navigate the maze of options available; they can design treatment plans incorporating the most recent minimally invasive methods using 3-dimensional guides and CT-based digital scanning that will hasten your recovery and minimize complications. When performed by a specialist surgeon, certain components of treatment (consultation, CT scans, cone beam scans, bone grafts, and sinus lifts), will also be covered by Medicare rebates, making treatment more cheap.
Dental implant therapy can be completed under local anesthesia while you are awake or under general anesthesia while you are asleep; in any case, the process is typically completed in one “day surgery” visit. A specialist surgeon has the experience to assure your safety throughout any hospital-based procedures because they often perform operations in hospital operating rooms.
In the hands of a highly experienced specialized surgeon, tooth removal can frequently be accomplished with little to no bone damage; this presents the chance to install a dental implant right away (immediate implants). Although tooth extraction and immediate implant implantation are technically challenging procedures, the outcomes are very successful and have the following advantages:
One technique (rather than tooth removal followed by a second procedure for implant placement 3 months later)
a single rest period (less time away from work, study, or the schedule)
reduced treatment period (the implant can be repaired in 3 months as opposed to 6 months; this technique is also appropriate for “teeth in a day,” “same day teeth,” and “all on four” type procedures).
Less need for bone grafting (bone support for implant implantation may deteriorate while the extraction socket heals, increasing the likelihood of sinus lift and/or bone grafting surgeries).
Three to four months following implant implantation, the dental implant’s connection to the bone is evaluated (implant integration exam). Instead of taking uncomfortable and frequently nausea-inducing mouth impressions, the implant, surrounding teeth, and other oral structures are digitally scanned (using a TRIOS 3-D optical camera). These scans serve as the basis for the creation of uniquely shaped and colored crowns or bridges (crowns connected together) that will be attached to the implant (s).
It is not necessary to insert an implant for every lost tooth; instead, a full arch (implant-retained hybrid bridge of 10–12 teeth) for the upper or lower jaw can be maintained with 4 (also known as “all on four”) or more (also known as “all on six”) implants (depending on the number of teeth required). Patients can benefit from more natural-looking teeth with less mouth filling bulky prosthesis thanks to implant retained hybrid bridges. Bridges don’t require the same extensions and flanges as dentures do for stability, so the design is considerably more streamlined and closely resembles the way your original teeth used to look, feel, and operate.
Implant retained over-dentures, which improve the stability and functionality of the existing denture, are another highly effective choice for patients who are unhappy with their current loose or poorly fitting complete dentures.
In both situations, the jawbone accepts the dental implant and fuses with it (a process called implant osseointegration); this bond secures your new teeth and restores your ability to chew, as well as your vitality and self-confidence by giving you a stable, natural-looking dentition that will encourage you to smile once more.
How Are Older Patients Healed After The Procedure
Dental implants are placed by qualified surgeons using a gentle, minimally invasive technique. After implant placement, most patients experience minimal swelling and moderate pressure pain for the first 24 to 48 hours, which can be managed with simple scripted pain medication. After 48 hours, the implant site quickly heals and is typically trouble- and observation-free for the remainder of its time in your mouth.
What Are Dental Implants’ Benefits For Elderly Patients
For many elderly people, dental implant treatments can greatly raise their quality of life; getting older is not a barrier in and of itself. A more streamlined, less bulky end result is possible when bridges and dentures are attached to dental implants (less palate and gum coverage, no deep extensions, and no denture flanges irritating the cheeks and tongue); additionally, direct bone-implant contact shields patients from further bone loss (often caused by conventional dentures), preventing further deterioration of oral health. The implants that firmly anchor the crowns, bridges, and dentures prevent inadvertent dislodgment while they are functioning, which boosts one’s social confidence.
Regular dentures rarely produce the same results as dental implants do in terms of appearance, feel, and function. You may easily maintain the implants with your regular daily dental hygiene practice (brushing, flossing and having Dental check-ups). Although gum disease (periodontitis), smoking, some medical disorders (such as diabetes), and age-related bone loss might affect implants, with the right maintenance, they may last a lifetime.
Implants give patients a secure foundation to enhance their masticatory (chewing) function and, as a result, their pleasure of food. This enables many people to resume eating a wider variety of foods, including those that were previously taboo (secondary to denture induced limitations). Patients of all ages, but seniors in particular, benefit from a more nutrient-dense and diverse diet in terms of vitality, longevity, and overall well-being. Do you want to experience the advantages of better nutrition while eating your favorite foods without reservations or restrictions?
Dental implants can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life by removing the embarrassment caused by loose and unnatural-looking teeth or dentures. This enables them to interact with people more comfortably, lead more active lives, and spend quality time with their loved ones without worrying that their teeth will fail them.
It is true that placing dental implants in patients with inadequate bone quality or quantity is more difficult. It is also true that because to the typical changes brought on by aging in the mouth, dental repair may be trickier for older persons. However, cutting-edge techniques in prosthodontics and implants enable the implantation in even the most desperate situations.
Would you like to learn more about dental implants or learn if dental implants could be used to replace your present denture? Start your search for a dentist in my area to locate the best and closest one.
