7 Ways Seniors Can Benefit from Dental Implants

Sunny Encino, CA, is a popular destination for retirees. With access to beautiful parks and a temperate climate year-round, there’s certainly a lot to smile about. But if you’ve had issues with your dentures or have other dental problems, you might be contemplating a long-term fix. Dental implants for seniors are a viable, permanent tooth replacement option with numerous benefits, including the following.

1. Replace Problematic Dentures

Many seniors turn to removable dentures after they lose some or all of their teeth. However, these dentures have limitations. Dentures can slip and cause problems with speaking, chewing, or, worse, irritation and pain. Permanent implant-supported dentures can help alleviate these concerns by creating a stable foundation for dentures that function like natural teeth. The one-time cost of implants can feel steep for some seniors, but often, the peace of mind that comes with not having to worry about constant trips to the dentist is worth it for many.

2. Prevent Further Tooth Loss

When one tooth comes out and creates a gap, your surrounding teeth can shift into that gap, potentially causing misalignment or further tooth loss. Inserting a dental implant into the gap can help stabilize surrounding teeth, potentially preventing further loss. Seniors may want to explore dental implants in Encino after a single tooth loss to prevent it from ballooning into a larger problem.

3. Preserve Remaining Bone Density

Bone loss can occur when a tooth comes out since there’s no longer a root stimulating the jawbone. A dental implant acts as a substitute for that tooth root, over time fusing to the jaw through a process called osseointegration. Once healed, the implant mimics the stimulation of a natural tooth, helping to preserve jawbone density and creating a stronger bone.

4. Improve Chewing Abilities

Depending on the location in the mouth, a missing tooth or teeth can cause problems with chewing. A missing tooth could cause you to put more pressure on certain areas of the mouth while chewing in an effort to avoid the gap, which can create an imbalance of pressure and chewing force. When a dental implant fills the gap, it can help you achieve proper bite alignment and evenly distribute the force while chewing. You may even be able to get back to eating some favorite foods, like steak or corn on the cob, that you avoided for years thanks to removable dentures.

5. Assist with Speaking and Pronunciation

Gaps in teeth can create pockets for air that may lead to mispronunciation of certain sounds. When a dental implant fills in the missing tooth, it helps create a stable surface for the tongue to contact during sound production. This can alleviate lisps or slurred speech and result in overall improved enunciation of sounds.

6. Increase Smile Confidence

Missing or damaged teeth can diminish confidence and make you not want to show your teeth in social settings. Using dental implants to replace missing teeth can help create a beautiful, natural-looking smile that you’ll be excited to show off. Since the dental crown that rests atop an implant is designed to match the shade and shape of your natural teeth, you may not even be able to tell which tooth is an implant when the procedure is done.

7. Give Peace of Mind

Dental procedures can be expensive, especially if you need to go back and visit the dentist every few months with a new problem. Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime, unlike a dental bridge, which may need to be replaced every few years. Knowing your dental implants are meant to last for the long term can give you peace of mind that the money and time you invest in having the procedure done can serve you for decades to come.

The Bottom Line

There are numerous benefits of dental implants for seniors, each of which can be valuable depending on your unique needs and situation. If you’re looking for a solution to troublesome dentures, a misaligned bite, or difficulty speaking, dental implants are worth considering. Consult your local dentist to understand if dental implants are a viable and budget-friendly option to restore your smile.

Contact Information:
Name: Sonakshi Murze
Email: [email protected]
Job Title: Manager