(UIC) College of Dentistry
When we age, many changes happen, some can even affect our smile. Yes, some seniors do lose their teeth, and it makes them lose the confidence to smile. But fortunately, dental implants can replace missing teeth and help seniors smile better and more confidently.
Dental implants are an excellent choice for seniors with missing teeth. Not only will they make them look better, but they will also eat better, as the implants look and feel like real teeth, and more likely may even be better, as they can last the rest of their lives.
So what exactly are dental implants? Simply said, they are permanent replacement teeth, made from materials like ceramic and attached to small rods of titanium. These implants are drilled into the bone of your jaw where your missing teeth once were. The titanium rods inserted fuse into your jawbone, making them become part of your jawbone. The ceramic crowns become anchored to your jawbone, just like your real teeth. The crowns can be made to look like the rest of your teeth, as imperfect, or as perfect as you want them to be. They are meant to last a lifetime, as once they are in place, they can’t be removed. And, unlike other solutions for missing teeth, they never need to be adjusted.
Benefits To Seniors
Emergency Denture Repairs
Several decades ago, people relied on dentures for missing teeth. But nowadays, seniors have a better, and more permanent solution in dental implants. They can opt to have their whole mouth done with implants at an affordable price, which used to be quite costly when implants were first introduced. And dentures can’t beat the benefits of dental implants…the implants look and feel natural, can be colored to appear like your normal other teeth, and do not move, which is a problem for dentures. So, eating and speaking is easier and more comfortable with dental implants, and seniors can confidently flash their “Hollywood” smile.
Aside from the aesthetic effects, comfort, and durability, another benefit is that dental implants can actually prevent bone loss. When a person loses a tooth, the bone underneath starts to be reabsorbed by your body, some faster than others. This can make you look older, and make your jaw weaker and more susceptible to injury and pain. Dental implants help stabilize the jawbone and prevent bone loss. You don’t ever need adhesives or creams, things needed for dentures. The implants will always stay in place, so they are really worry-free.
Implants Have Become More Affordable
Hampshire Dental Care
Several years ago, dental implants were known to be expensive, with a single tooth implant costing around $3,000 or more. Special dental work is required, needing a cosmetic dentist or oral surgeon. That is why many people avoided having implants done, especially seniors who had no income. Fortunately, times have changed for the better. Dental implants are not as costly as they were, the prices seem to decrease substantially. This means seniors don’t need lots of money to get implants done. And there are many options for dental insurance and dental discount plans for seniors. Plus, the fact is that many dental schools offer implants at greatly reduced prices, so that new dentists can learn the procedures supervised by an oral surgeon. You will have to do some research, to find out what options are best for you. Compare prices, check out testimonials, and study the history of the dentist or clinic offering implants. Check out Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans for the best offers for dental insurance.
So really there is more to smile about. Dental implants are becoming a popular choice for seniors who not only can smile confidently, but can eat and talk much better and more comfortably. While it may seem to be an expensive, and painful process, research will show you that that is not the case. Yes, dentures may seem more inexpensive, but for a little more, you get permanent teeth for the rest of your life, that is worry-free. All you have to do is research for the best options available. So seniors, smile, and check out dental implants instead of dentures. It will be a decision you will not regret.
