Dental implants are the only way to permanently restore missing teeth because they replace both the tooth crown and the root. A dental implant is a three-step procedure that nearly anyone with good general health can safely have done.
Dental implants for seniors consistently improve seniors’ quality of life by restoring their ability to chew and speak normally. There is no age limit for dental implant surgery. The procedure is safe and successful for seniors, excluding only those with serious health issues that affect bone density or wound healing.
What is a Dental Implant?
Dental implant treatment involves inserting a titanium screw into the jaw to act as the root of an artificial tooth. An abutment serves as a connection point for the titanium screw and an artificial crown. Dental implants stabilise your teeth and gums, improving speech and chewing. They also prevent other teeth in your mouth from moving. This is important for jawbone health and the retention of remaining teeth.
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The dental implant surgery
First, your dentist evaluates your compatibility with dental implant surgery. They check your dental health and history before taking X-rays.
The X-rays show your dentist your gums, teeth, and jawbone condition. If everything is suitable for dental implants, they’ll set your surgery date.
Dental implant surgery starts with your dentist applying a local anaesthetic. Inhalation sedation is unnecessary but is used for patients with significant dental anxiety. Once the affected area is numb, your dentist cuts through the gum tissue to expose the jawbone. They drill a small hole into your jawbone and fit a titanium screw into the hole. Dental implants use titanium because it is minimally corrosive, durable, and bio-compatible. The titanium screws never need to be replaced.
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Osseointegration and crown fitting
The dentist stitches the gums, and the osseointegration phase of a dental implant procedure begins. Osseointegration is when the jawbone fuses to the titanium screw. It anchors the screw for maximal stability.
Osseointegration takes four to nine months to complete in most patients. Osseointegration commonly takes longer in senior patients. Your dentist may check the implant during this phase to ensure no complications.
Once osseointegration is complete, your dentist fits an abutment and artificial crown to the titanium screw. At No Gaps Dental, we use CEREC technology to create personalised crowns in a matter of minutes. CEREC technology replaces messy tooth impressions with photographic imaging and 3D computer modelling.
The dental implant procedure is complete once the crown is fitted to the abutment. Every 15 years or so, the crown needs to be replaced, but the implant post is permanent. Unlike dentures, your dental implant does not require special cleaning. You simply brush and floss as normal.
Dental Implants for Seniors: Extra Considerations
Dental implants are not only considered for seniors who suffer from edentulism or complete loss of teeth. Now, dental implant procedures are recommended for any patient who has lost a tooth. The average number of teeth lost in Australian’s over the age of 65 is just under 12.
The reality of tooth loss for seniors makes dental implant surgery essential for elderly oral comfort. Dental implants are the only prosthodontic procedure to increase in recent times. The majority of the procedures are done for elderly patients.
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Disqualifying health conditions
Numerous studies report no significant connection between old age and the success rate of dental implants. However, health conditions limit the suitability of dental implants for seniors.
Some health conditions, such as significant psychiatric disorders, recent heart attacks, and strokes, make patients unsuitable for the surgery. Autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes may also mean you are not a candidate for dental implant surgery.
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Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis decreases an individual’s bone mineral density. It is significantly more likely to occur as age increases and is more common in women. Despite requiring adequate jawbone density for successful dental implant surgery, osteoporosis has not been found to significantly impact the success of dental implants for seniors.
Dentists should note past osteoporosis-related injuries and pay extra attention to the surgical site, but they often won’t deny dental implants due to osteoporosis.
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Bone density and quantity
The most common factor that leads to implant failure is the quantity and density of bone at the dental implant site. The least-dense bone classification is more likely to be found in elderly patients, so dentists must evaluate if a senior patient’s jawbone is strong enough for implants. X-rays and visual evaluation during surgery inform the dentist of the jawbone density.
The Advantages of a Fixed Tooth Replacement
Fixed tooth replacement refers to replacing a tooth with hardware that is not removable. Dental implants are one type of fixed tooth replacement. They are more comfortable for patients because they have no room to move while talking or eating.
Fixed tooth replacements are easily maintained. They can be brushed and flossed like a normal tooth.
Removable tooth replacement options, like dentures, are uncomfortable because they shift. Due to bone resorption and subsequent tooth misalignment, changes in the jaw structure can cause dentures to slip or no longer fit properly.
Removable tooth replacements, such as full and partial dentures, consistently rate lower on patient satisfaction surveys than fixed tooth replacements. Dentures are correlated with decreased food intake and nutritional health.
Every patient has different tooth replacement needs, so there are many cases when dentures are necessary. Even so, fixed tooth replacement options officially are a dentist’s first treatment choice. Ask your dentist about fixed tooth replacements to determine if dental implants are right for you.
Dental Implants are Safe for Seniors
Dental implant surgery is a long process, but it has high success rates and satisfaction levels for all ages. Dental implants for seniors are safe and recommended over removable tooth replacement when possible despite age-related health issues. Their comfort, minimal maintenance requirements, and permanence set them apart from other tooth replacement options.
Contact No Gaps Dental on (02) 8806 0227 for a dental implant consultation today. Visit our news and blog page to learn more about dental implants and the other procedures we offer.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
References
Biocompatibility of Advanced Manufactured Titanium Implants—A Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5456424/
Biological factors contributing to failures of osseointegrated oral implants, (II). Etiopathogenesis
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.0909-8836..t01-6-.x
Adult oral health and dental visiting: results from the National Dental Telephone Interview Survey 2010
https://hekyll.services.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/96997/3/hdl_96997.pdf
Trends in dental treatment, 1992 to 2007
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000281771461059X
Implants for the aging population
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/adj.12282
A snapshot of osteoporosis in Australia 2011
https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/7e43763c-7936-4069-b512-1775233e45d2/11834.pdf.aspx?inline=true
Is Osteoporosis a Risk Factor for Osseointegration of Dental Implants?
http://www.quintpub.com/userhome/omi/omi_8_2_Dao_2.pdf
Long-term outcomes of short dental implants supporting single crowns in posterior region: a clinical retrospective study of 5–10 years
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0501.2012.02452.x
The dietary adequacy of edentulous older adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7722928/
Multicentre prospective evaluation of implant–assisted mandibular bilateral distal extension removable partial dentures: Patient satisfaction
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0501.2011.02367.x
The McGill Consensus Statement on Overdentures. Mandibular 2-implant overdentures as first choice standard of care for edentulous patients
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12387249/