Age can sometimes take a toll on our dental health, and tooth loss is one of the major issues that most seniors experience. Losing teeth can be devastating, especially if you've always had a radiant smile. The good news is that dental treatment for tooth implants has come a long way, providing seniors with a chance to reclaim the lost smile with dental implants.
If you're looking for effective and long-lasting dental implants, Riverlands Dental is here to help. In this post, we'll explore why dental implants are a great smile renewal option for seniors and how we tailor our services to offer exceptional dental implant treatment.
Dental implants are an incredibly important solution for pensioners who are missing teeth. As we age, our natural teeth can become more prone to decay and damage, and we may lose some of our natural teeth. This can have cosmetic and, even more importantly, functional implications. Learn more details.
Some of the main advantages of dental implants are:
Dental implants are permanent, stable and long-lasting. Unlike other options, such as dentures or bridges, which might need to be replaced or repaired over time, dental implants can remain in place for many years with proper care.
Dental implants can significantly affect the health of pensioners who may already be dealing with other general health conditions. For example, an inability to chew food properly due to missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures can worsen nutritional deficiencies and exacerbate existing health conditions.
Implants can help to improve an older person's appearance and self-confidence. Missing teeth can cause embarrassment and social discomfort, but dental implants can give pensioners a more natural-looking smile.
Additionally, dental implants stimulate the jawbone, which can help to prevent bone loss. This is particularly important for older people, as jaw bone loss can lead to facial sagging and more discomfort.
Dental implants are a minimally invasive treatment with a success rate of around 98%, meaning older patients can forget about them once implanted successfully. Unlike dentures, their fit won't change, and they will not come loose.
Dental implants require little to no maintenance other than regular brushing, flossing and six-monthly dental check-ups. Unlike dentures, there is no need to employ a special cleaning routine, and the hassle of taking them in and pulling them out does not exist as it would for dentures.
Finally, dental implants offer an excellent return on investment, as they can improve both quality of life and self-confidence. Being able to eat, speak, and smile without worrying about missing teeth or other problems can make a huge difference for pensioners.
When it comes to senior citizens, their dental health may require additional care and attention before starting the implant procedure.
Pensioners often have one or more underlying medical conditions that need to be addressed before the dental implant process.
Below are some pre-treatments that our dentist may require before he starts dental implant treatment for pensioners.
Before beginning dental implant treatment, your dentist will recommend a deep cleaning session to help remove plaque, tartar, and other bacteria that can lead to gum disease. Deep cleaning ensures your gums are healthy, clean, and ready for any dental procedures. This pretreatment reduces the risk of implant failure and other complications.
One of the most common oral problems among senior citizens is gum disease. The presence of gum disease causes gum inflammation, which can then lead to dental decay and tooth loss. Before starting the dental implant process, our dentist will need to treat your gum disease, if present. The treatment may involve scaling, root planing, or antibiotics. Advanced gum disease may even require surgery to eliminate the problem completely.
Bone density is an essential factor determining dental implant success in older people. As people age, their jawbone density reduces, which can lead to implant failure. Therefore, pensioners are advised to get a bone density check before starting the implant procedure. If the bone density is low, our competent dentist might recommend bone grafting or sinus lifting to ensure the implant's success.
Bone grafts are common procedures for seniors who have been missing teeth for a long time. When a tooth is missing, the bone starts to atrophy, making it difficult for the implant to integrate firmly with the bone. Bone grafts enable the dentist to build up the deficient bone structure and help create a stable foundation for the implant.
As an older person, you may have receding gums, in which case our experienced dentist may recommend a gum graft before the implant procedure. Gum grafts help restore the gum tissue lost through the recession and create a stronger support system to hold the implant.
Pensioners with diabetes must control their blood sugar levels before getting dental implants.
Uncontrolled diabetes can result in delayed healing and implant failure.
Our experienced dentist will wait to start the treatment till you achieve optimal blood sugar levels. This may require changes in your diet, medication administration, and increased physical activity. You can get dental implants once your blood sugar levels are in check.
Senior citizens often have underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Before starting the dental implant process, your dentist will conduct an overall health assessment to ensure your health status can handle the procedure. This may include blood tests, electrocardiograms, and medical history reviews. You must inform our dentist of any medical conditions or changes in your health status.
It is crucial to get screened for oral cancer before getting dental implants. The dental implant procedure involves inserting an artificial tooth root into your jawbone, which penetrates the oral tissues. The implant process may be delayed or cancelled if there is any sign of cancerous or precancerous cells.
Your dental implant procedure will begin once all pre-required dental health services are concluded successfully, and you have been deemed a suitable candidate for tooth implants.
As a first step in the procedure, our experienced dentist will create a customised treatment plan based on your wants and needs and the results of the pre-treatments.
The second step is to prepare the jawbone for the actual implant. This usually involves drilling a small hole into the jawbone where the implant post will be placed. Once the implant post is in place, the gum is stitched and allowed to heal. Depending on your individual healing time, this can take several weeks or months.
After the implant post has fused with the jawbone (a process called osseointegration), the dentist will attach an abutment to the implant. Finally, a custom-made replacement tooth is attached to the abutment. The result is a natural-looking tooth that's strong and durable.
At Riverland Dental, we offer seniors a range of options for dental implants, which can help restore the function and aesthetics of their teeth. The final choice will depend on various factors, which our qualified dentist will discuss with you.
Below are the four main types of dental implants available to senior citizens at dental clinics.
Endosteal implants are a type of dental implant that is placed directly into the jawbone. These implants are designed to serve as artificial tooth roots that can support a dental crown, bridge, or denture. Endosteal dental implants are typically used for patients with good jawbone density and volume, as they require a certain amount of bone mass to provide adequate support.
They are considered one of the most effective and reliable solutions for restoring the function and appearance of missing teeth.
Subperiosteal implants are a type of dental implant that is placed under the gum and on top of the jawbone. They are custom-made to fit the specific shape and contour of the patient's jawbone and are, therefore, a highly personalised treatment option.
Subperiosteal dental implants are typically recommended for patients with insufficient jawbone density to support traditional implants. Unlike other types of dental implants that are anchored directly into the jawbone, subperiosteal implants provide a stable base for replacement teeth by attaching to the surface of the jawbone itself.
Zygomatic implants are dental implants used in cases where traditional implants may not be possible. Unlike regular implants, which are placed in the jawbone, zygomatic tooth implants are placed in the cheekbone (zygoma). This technique allows for the placement of longer implants that are not limited in length by the amount of available bone.
This can be particularly useful for patients with severe bone loss in the upper jaw or those who have been told they are not good candidates for traditional dental implant surgery.
All-On-4 implants are a revolutionary dental implant system to replace missing teeth. Unlike traditional dental implants, which typically require one implant per missing tooth, the All-On-4 system uses just four implant posts to support an entire arch of replacement teeth. This innovative design allows for a more efficient and cost-effective tooth replacement procedure, reducing the need for multiple surgeries and months-long recovery times.
All-On-4 implants are specifically designed to accommodate patients who may not be suitable candidates for traditional implants, such as those with significant bone loss in the jaw due to periodontal disease or other issues. The system's unique design allows the implants to be strategically placed to optimise bone density and provide a stable foundation for the replacement teeth.
All-On-4 implants are designed to accommodate patients who may not be suitable candidates for traditional implants, such as those with significant bone loss in the jaw due to periodontal disease or other issues. The system's unique design allows the implants to be strategically placed to optimise bone density and provide a secure foundation for the replacement teeth.
The success rate of All-On-4 implants is also impressive, with many patients reporting improved chewing and speaking abilities, along with a more youthful and confident smile.
With the tools and skills to deliver comprehensive solutions for unique dental implants for pensioners, Riverlands Dental is a natural choice for pensioners' dental implants.
At Riverlands Dental, pensioners can benefit from a selection of payment plans. Whether you have dental insurance or are accessing your Superannuation funds through Super Care, we provide options for pensioners who may have limited income or savings and could be concerned about dental implants cost.
Riverlands Dental offers flexible payment plans to ease the financial burden of dental implants. You can pay for your dental implants in instalments that suit your budget and timeline without compromising the quality of care.
To ensure the success of your tooth implant treatment, Riverlands Dental uses the latest technology and techniques in implant dentistry. We are highly trained and experienced in placing dental implants and use state-of-the-art equipment in our dental clinic, such as 3D imaging and computer-guided surgery, to ensure accurate and precise implant placement. We also use high-quality materials for dental prostheses, such as porcelain and zirconia, to create a natural-looking and durable smile that can last for many years.
Before getting dental implants, you will undergo a thorough consultation and examination at Riverlands Dental to determine your suitability for the procedure. Our highly qualified dentist will evaluate your dental and medical history, perform a clinical exam, take digital impressions of your mouth and remaining natural teeth, and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs and goals.
He will also discuss the procedure with you in detail, including the benefits and potential risks and address any concerns and questions you may have. We will ensure you are well informed and supported throughout the dental implant journey.
We'll guide you through the entire procedure, from the dental implant placement to the healing and finally fitting of your new teeth. Throughout the journey, we prioritise your comfort and ensure you're relaxed and at ease.
Embark on your journey to optimal oral health with affordable yet exceptional dental services in Richmond. Book an appointment now or contact us on (02) 4501 7930!
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Dental implant surgery - Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about/pac-20384622
Gaps Between Teeth and Your Dental Health: Everything You Need to Know Web MD
https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/teeth-straightening/gaps-between-teeth-and-dental-health
