The Top 10 Benefits of Dental Implants for Elderly Patients

Missing teeth can be a nuisance, and not just when it comes to eating. It can significantly affect your quality of life. Unfortunately, losing teeth becomes common as we get older. Luckily, there are several options for tooth replacement. But what is the best of them? Dental implants. We’ll tell you why.

Conventional dental implants are the permanent solution for missing teeth. They’re made to copy the structure of your teeth and, thus, offer benefits no other teeth replacement options can. Further, dental implants can be especially beneficial for pensioners and the elderly. Want to learn more? We’ve got ten reasons why elderly patients should get dental implants.

1. Prevent Bone Loss From Jaw

It’s inevitable to lose bone mass when we get older. Some of that mass comes from your jaws when you lose teeth. This is because your teeth stimulate your jawbone to maintain its mass. Since dental implants are embedded in your jaws, it’s the only tooth replacement solution that substitutes that jawbone stimulation.

2. Give Natural Appearance

As our natural teeth come in different shades, shapes and sizes, so do dental implants. Your teeth’s natural structure will be the blueprint of your implants. Your dentist will design implants that will fit snuggly and perfectly match the colour of your existing teeth.

3. Restore Bite Force

Dental implants are fixed into your jaw with a titanium post, giving them more stability when you bite hard food. It gives you the same bite force you would have with your natural teeth, helping you enjoy a wide range of foods again. Dentures cannot restore as much force since they’re not rooted in the same way as our natural teeth or dental implants.

4. Keep the Shape of Your Face

Sometimes you can tell if a person is missing teeth, just by looking at their face. That’s because your teeth help maintain your facial structure. So when you lose teeth, you lose some of that support. Since dental implants replace your natural teeth, it gives the same support for your face, helping you look more yourself.

5. Help You Speak Smoothly

Missing teeth can impact your ability to pronounce words. Dentures can sometimes even get in the way of your speech. Dental implants, on the other hand though, are made to feel and function like your real teeth. Thus, many elderly patients and pensioners find dental implants let them speak smoothly and naturally.

6. Don’t Get Cavities

Because they’re artificial, dental implants cannot decay in the same way that natural teeth do. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t brush your teeth anymore though, as bacteria can still cause infections in your mouth. But not worrying about getting cavities is still worth celebrating.

7. Require Little Maintenance

Dentures require special products to clean and maintain them, like adhesive and special flossers. It can be a hassle caring for them, not to mention expensive. Dental implants, however, just need regular brushing and flossing like natural teeth.

8. Don’t Slip

People with dentures are typically cautious when talking and eating in public. Dentures are notorious for shifting and slipping out of place. Thankfully, dental implants will never embarrass you, as they are firmly rooted in place and will not fall out in public.

9. Support Adjacent Teeth

Your teeth can shift and move when there’s a missing tooth beside them. When dental implants replace missing teeth though, it supports the surrounding teeth, helping you maintain a straight and even smile.

10. Provide A Permanent Solution

Other tooth replacement solutions are more prone to wear and tear. They require repair and replacement regularly, not to mention lots of maintenance. Dental implants are a lifetime solution to help you live life optimally, no matter your age.

Are Dental Implants Safe for the Elderly?

Can you be too old for dental implants? Will they work just as well for you, as they would for someone younger?

The simple answer to both these questions is yes! You can never be too old for dental implants. They work and are as effective in older patients — even those with lower bone density. You can expect to experience the same great benefits as anyone else would from dental implants.

Older patients can even heal at almost the same rate as younger patients. It takes approximately 4 months for elderly patients to fully recover after dental implants, compared to younger patients taking 3 months. All patients, regardless of age, may experience 3–5 days of discomfort. However, this can be easily remedied with mild painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication.

Get Your Dental Implants Today

Would dental implants improve your quality of life? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Langmore Dental to find out more and book an appointment.