Dental Implants Over 60
Often times when people think of aging, they think of the cliché of a senior with dentures. In reality, there are often different options available for people over 60. If you have a tooth or teeth that are falling out due to advanced age, one excellent option that you may want to consider is dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are prosthetics that are intended to replace a missing tooth. They can be used to replace a tooth that has fallen out or been removed. A dental implant procedure involves the placement of a rod that is then attached to a prosthetic crown. The procedure is generally very simple and safe.
The Advantages of Dental Implants
If you are considering the replacement of a tooth or teeth, you’ll want to consider different options and their advantages. Here are some of the advantages of dental implants:
- Higher Quality of Life. Dental implants allow you a lot of opportunities that you may not have with other replacement methods. Dentures, for instance, offer less bite support. With dental implants, you’ll be able to eat a lot of the same food that you love without worry.
- Jawbone Integrity. While your teeth may begin to fall out due to natural causes, it doesn’t mean you should simply leave gaps in between your teeth. Outside of aesthetics, you will need to consider your jawbone integrity—which you will begin to lose without a replacement. This can drastically change your overall appearance.
- Healthy Surrounding Teeth. Something people often don’t consider with a missing tooth is the health of the remaining teeth. When you have missing teeth and you don’t have them replaced, they may begin to migrate over time. This migration can lead to impact on other teeth—causing those teeth to become displaced and damaged.
- Higher Self-Confidence. Having missing teeth can affect your overall self-confidence. Because you have a gap in your teeth, you may be less likely to smile, or you may feel self-conscious when you do. Dental implants are great for a boost in self-confidence.
- A Beautiful Smile. Because dental implants restore your smile completely, you can enjoy the same, beautiful smile your friends and family know so well!
- Cost. While dental implants may seem like an expensive replacement option at first, they actually can save you a lot of money in the long run. Instead of having to worry about other dental problems that may occur due to not having a tooth replaced, you can feel safe knowing that the one-time cost of dental implants has saved you from many future trips to the dentist.
Are Dental Implants the Right Choice for Me?
While dental implants are an excellent option for some, they aren’t the best option for everyone. If you have a missing or loose tooth, speak with your dentist at once. From there, your dentist and you can make a decision on the best course of action—and whether or not dental implants are the right replacement option to meet your needs.