As we get older, the overall health of our teeth starts to decline. Even if you have brushed and flossed twice a day for the last 30 years, your teeth may inevitably decay – it’s simply a fact of old age. Because of this decay, you might have to have a tooth completely extracted because it is unfixable or one may just fall out one day. Now you will be left with a hole in your gum line that might make you embarrassed to open your mouth when you speak or to smile like you normally would.
Just because you are elderly doesn’t mean that you stop caring about your appearance. A missing tooth would definitely be a cause for concern. Although this may feel like an alarming situation, there is a very easy fix to this problem – a dental implant.
Dental implants replace a missing tooth by placing a small screw/post in your gum line. Then, a replacement tooth or “cap” is screwed on to, giving you a realistic-looking and sturdy new tooth. The oral surgeon will match the exact shade of the replacement tooth to the rest of your teeth so some people may not even be able to notice that you have a fake tooth.
There is no reason that a day should go buy when you are uncomfortable with your smile or your oral health when there is such a simple solution such as dental implants. Depending on what your dental surgeon recommends, local sedation, oral sedation, moderate IV sedation or general anesthesia will be used during this surgery and with any of the above, you will not feel any pain during the procedure.
The recovery time is relatively short and before you know it, you will be smiling and eating like you used to. For seniors, there are a lot of other ways that dental implants can improve their oral health. Let’s discuss a few of the most important reasons.
Fill Any Gaps in Your Teeth
Dental implants will fill any gaps you may have in your smile due to tooth decay or tooth removal. Just because seniors are elderly doesn’t mean that they don’t care about their appearance. Having a missing tooth can make seniors embarrassed to smile or communicate like normal. In addition to looks, having a missing tooth can make eating your favorite foods difficult or even painful. Because a tooth was normally present in that hole, sharper foods can scratch and irritate your gums, making eating a frustrating process altogether.
If you are ready to fill the gap in your smile, start with a consultation with an oral surgeon and they will go over the procedure and the pricing structure. Without dental insurance, one dental implant typically costs $1000 to $3000. If you have dental insurance, partial or the full cost might be covered. If you have already scheduled your consultation with a dental surgeon, make sure you also contact your insurance provider to see what is and is not covered in your plan.[/nextpage][nextpage title=”Next” ]
Perfect Your Smile
When you have a gap in your smile from a missing tooth, you might be embarrassed to smile or speak to people openly. This can greatly hurt your self-confidence. Seniors tend to have other medical ailments that might get their spirits down. The last thing you want is to be unable to smile due to a simple flaw such as a missing tooth. There are plenty of oral surgeons who cater just to seniors and will know how to handle their surgery in a kind and compassionate way. Some surgeons will even offer affordable pricing for seniors.
[/nextpage][nextpage title=”Next” ]Replace Decaying Teeth
One of the biggest problems with seniors’ teeth is decay. In the most minor cases, this can lead to a cavity, which can easily be filled. But if the decay has progressed too far, then there are two options – a root canal or a dental implant. If enough of the tooth can’t be saved to perform a successful root canal, then it will have to be removed altogether. This will lead to a hole in your mouth that will need to be filled with a dental implant. Because seniors suffer from tooth decay due to old age, this is a procedure that they will become familiar with.
[/nextpage][nextpage title=”Next” ]Assist With Dentures
There are many different types of dentures and while some people can get a sturdy set simply with some adhesive, there are others who suffer from the fit and comfort level. This is where dental implants can really improve your dental implant experience. With a few dental implants placed strategically in your gum line, your dentist can then make a set of dentures that will securely snap in. You will no longer have to worry about eating certain foods or that your dentures will fall out.
[/nextpage][nextpage title=”Next” ]Uncomfortable Mouth Appliances
When you have missing teeth, there is also the option to get a retainer or mouth piece that has fake teeth on it so when you wear it, the holes will be filled in your gum line. But many people complain about the discomfort of mouthpieces. Also, when you eat, food can easily get trapped underneath causing bad breath or even worse – mouth infections. When you get a dental implant, you never have to worry about uncomfortable mouthpieces ever again. Dental implants look and feel like a real tooth.
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Easier Eating
Although it is a much more affordable option, leaving a hole in your mouth due to a tooth extraction can lead to other problems. Because your mouth is used to have a tooth their, the gum and surrounding areas can become infected or inflamed. In addition, eating can become quite difficult. Certain hard foods might poke the gum area cause serious pain or bleeding. When you have a dental implant, there will be a completely new tooth that acts just like the real thing. Once you have recovered fully from the procedure, you can eat all of your favorite foods again no matter the texture.
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Overall Oral Health
It is important that you regularly see your dentist as a senior to make sure that you aren’t suffering from an tooth decay, infections or gum disease. When you are elderly, a simple tooth infection can quickly spread to other parts of your body and actually put your life at risk. If you notice that something is not right, it is important that you see your dentist right away. With the advancements of dental implants, you don’t have to be afraid of getting teeth removed. A quick and routine procedure can have you smiling and eating like normal in no time.
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