Dental implants serve as replacements for the root of a tooth that has been removed. Sometimes the teeth are taken out by a cosmetic dentist who is working to improve the overall position of your teeth, but they can also be implanted because of common tooth decay and other reasons as well. Made from titanium, they look like little pegs that have been inserted into the gum. As such, dental implants are not the same as dental tooth fillings which go inside the tooth itself. Implants are used to provide strong anchor points onto which prosthetic teeth can be attached.
Why Might You Need Implants?
When a tooth has been knocked out and emergency dental care has not been enough to save it, an implant might be the best option. Otherwise, any replacement false tooth that is fitted will usually have to attach to nearby teeth, which is something that can cause discomfort. Equally, root canal treatment might not be successful in which case the use of dental implants is a viable alternative.
What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
Because they are implanted into the mouth of patients permanently, implants do not need to be taken out or cleaned. The most you need to do with them is to brush away any debris that might have accumulated around them when you brush your teeth. Equally, false teeth that attach to them will be much better supported than is possible with other approaches. As a result, you will find that eating all sorts of foods is possible with no discernible difference from natural teeth. Indeed, many people opt for implants and false teeth that attach to them nowadays because they look so much more natural. Poorly fitting dentures will often slip and can even cause problems with speech. On the other hand, this ceases to be a problem when implants are used.
Why Might Dental Implants Not Be Suitable?
Not everyone can have implants fitted and they will have to look at other options with their dentist. Generally speaking, most people will find they can opt for implants unless they have a particularly weak bone structure. Equally, patients with poor oral health will sometimes find that this treatment method isn't for them because the implants may not stay in the correct place if their health deteriorates further. So long as your mouth health is good and you are not undergoing radiotherapy, it is likely you will be able to benefit from them.
Share9 June 2022
As you age, it can become harder to take care of your teeth. Motor challenges can make it hard to floss, while memory issues may make it easy to overlook brushing. Whether you are a senior looking for solutions to some of the common dental problems or a senior with specific questions about cavities or oral surgery, you have come to the right place. In this blog, I am going to touch on a range of topics related to seniors and oral health. This is the type of resource I wish my mum would have had access to in her senior years, and I hope you enjoy having access to it during yours. I appreciate you reading my posts.
