If you are a senior considering dental implants, you may have to worry about issues other dental patients don't have to think about. For example, you may need more time to recover after receiving your implants. My name is Jodi, and I've been working with seniors for years. I decided to create this blog to help the seniors I can't meet in person. In this space, I'm going to post entries on everything related to dental implants and seniors. From tips on flossing implants after arthritis has claimed some of your dexterity, to guiding you through the implants-vs-dentures debate, this blog is designed for you. Thanks for reading. I hope you find what you need!
When we're busy juggling our day-to-day responsibilities, it's easy to push aside those regular dental ch
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If you are a mature adult, it's quite possible that over the years you have lost one or more of your teeth. This can happen for a variety of reasons. If you lose one of your front teeth, it's highly likely that you have had it replaced as this can significantly affect your smile. People do place a great deal of emphasis on the "front facing" appearance, but if it's a back tooth, they may just leave it as is. Does it really matter?
Bone Deterioration
While the missing tooth may be out of sight and out of mind, you shouldn't ignore it as a matter of course. Over the years the bone surrounding the "gap" is likely to encounter some changes. This particular bone is very malleable and dentists believe it requires a certain amount of "stimulation" if it's to remain as healthy as possible. Stimulation provided when pressure is applied to the tooth helps to invigorate the bone. Without this stimulation, it is likely that the bone itself will start to deteriorate and shrink. In short, it won't be as effective at supporting the bone and teeth all around it in the overall job of providing an efficient biting machine.
Appearance Changes
As people age it is natural for a certain amount of deterioration to occur, and this applies to the teeth and bone structure as well. However, if enough teeth have been lost within the mouth, then this can really exacerbate the condition. In some cases, your appearance may change and you will find it more difficult to chew, as the very nature of your bite has altered.
Uneven Growth
Also, the teeth that surround the "gap" are likely to grow in a slightly different direction, because the other tooth is not in place to keep them in check. Once again, this will affect the functionality of the bite.
What to Do
If you have some missing teeth, it's never too late to take some action. Your dentist will generally be able to work with your current condition and suggest dental implants as a way to repair the function of your bite. You will be able to keep the bone in a more healthy condition and your appearance may benefit as well if you have an implant inserted. Have a word with your dentist as soon as possible and schedule a course of treatment in order to restore your original function.
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