Can You Be Too Old for Implants?

As a senior, you may wonder, are you too old for implants? The answer is an emphatic “No!” You can benefit just as much from implants as younger individuals. In fact, implants will improve your quality of life in your golden years as your replacement teeth will look, function, and feel like natural teeth and be just as easy to care for as natural teeth. Implants require no special treatment other than routine brushing, flossing, and professional dental cleaning to maintain their attractive appearance. Through dental implants, seniors gain the comfort, natural appearance, and functional capabilities of real teeth.

Key Advantages of Implants for Seniors

Implants are a permanent means of replacing lost teeth as they’re surgically embedded into the jaw and topped with a crown to act as your replacement tooth. This keeps your teeth from shifting when you eat, laugh, or speak. Implants also offer additional benefits in the form of:

• Facial support to prevent sagging – Implants act as tooth roots to prevent bone loss, keeping your jaw and face from sagging
• Improved health due to fewer diet restrictions – Implants function like natural teeth, enabling you to eat healthy foods without worrying about endangering your teeth.
• Restored speech – Implants restore your ability to speak clearly.
• Greater confidence to smile with ease – Implants complete your smile to restore its natural appeal so you can smile confidently and easily. Implants restore your confidence to socialize with friends, dine out with loved ones, and even pose for pictures once again.

Dental Implants Recovery

Dental implants aren’t a quick fix for replacing lost teeth. The process may take up to six months to complete. Once the surgery is completed, you’ll have to wait for the implant to integrate into your system and fully heal before a crown is attached to complete your treatment.

Most patients require a few days of rest after the initial surgery to allow gum swelling and tenderness to subside. You’ll need to follow a soft-food diet during the next few weeks while your gums heal. Smoking should be avoided during recovery as it could lead to gum infection. After your gums have fully recovered and the implants have been assimilated into your system, we’ll put crowns on top to act as replacement teeth. This completes your treatment.

To learn more about our affordable implant treatments for seniors, contact Dr. Carlos Garcia from Bright Smiles Dental Studio, La Crescenta, California, at (818) 290-8788 .

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So, What Exactly is a Dental Implant?

A dental implant consists of three main components. First is the implant itself, which is a tiny post (usually made of titanium) that is surgically embedded into the jawbone. This implant serves as a mount to which an abutment will be placed. An artificial tooth can then be secured to the abutment for a look that appears completely natural to anybody who sees it. At Bright Smiles Dental Studio, Dr. Garcia partners with trusted periodontists to precisely plan, place, and restore dental implants so that you have a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.

Benefits of a Dental Implant

Now that we have discussed what a dental implant is, let us look at why they are so highly regarded in the dental community.

1. Preserves Facial Appearance – When a tooth is lost, a change in your facial appearance can occur. Your face can take on a sunken-in look. A dental implant can preserve your natural facial structure.
2. Jawbone Preservation – Your jawbone depends on tooth roots for blood flow and stimulation. Without this, your jawbone will eventually begin to collapse and diminish. A dental implant is a great replacement for a natural tooth root.
3. Teeth Kept in Place – When gaps are created in your smile by missing teeth, the rest of your teeth will eventually begin to shift into this open space. A dental implant will eliminate this gap and prevent any teeth from shifting.

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Characteristics of a youthful smile

Children generally have a full set of baby teeth by age three. These teeth are smooth, pearly white, and have a natural luster. The color of teeth is enhanced by coral pink gum tissue. Lips are plump and expressive. The face has full rounded contours.

In this culture, youth is associated with beauty. When we envision a youthful face, these are among the traits that come to mind.

What happens when teeth are missing

You might have a tooth extracted due to abscess or trauma. Some people lose several consecutive teeth (usually the upper front four since they are most prominent) in a fall, sports incident, or vehicle accident. If you have had untreated periodontal disease, you may have lost multiple or even all your natural teeth.

Regardless of the cause, missing teeth add years to your appearance. Let’s look at how and why:

• Gaps – For primitive man, spaces in the smile were usually the result of a fight, injury, or disease – situations that generally occur with age, rather than to children. It is in our DNA to appreciate a complete set of teeth because it indicates a robust individual who has not lived through these unfortunate circumstances.
• Crookedness – Just one missing tooth allows its companions to shift out of straight alignment, twist, and overlap. This is the body trying to compensate for the deficiency. Crooked teeth set off a chain of events that ages your smile.
• Discoloration – It is difficult to keep misaligned teeth clean with normal brushing and flossing. They may take on a dingy tinge or develop brownish deposits on side surfaces.
• Gum disease and decay – Because of the hygiene challenges presented by crooked teeth, you are more likely to find yourself with gum disease. The term “long in the tooth” is associated with senior citizens, and it refers to gum recession that makes teeth look lengthy. The exposed root surfaces are yellowish by nature, and prone to decay which may look brown, green, or black.
• Disruption of facial proportions – Natural teeth have roots that stimulate the body to maintain bone structure in the upper and lower jaws. When teeth are lost, this stimulation disappears. Since the body no longer senses a need for strong bone, minerals are resorbed into the blood stream and sent to other areas. Facial bone diminishes. The distance from nose to chin collapses. The face takes on a pinched appearance that causes lips to thin and roll inward, as skin sags on cheeks and jowls.
• Denture difficulties – Dr. Garcia creates dentures that fit snugly and look good. Lesser quality dentures, however, can be a quick giveaway, in appearance and mannerisms, that is also associated with aging.

How dental implants treatment rejuvenates Montrose, CA faces

Keeping your own teeth for life is the best scenario for preserving a young-looking smile. When that isn’t possible, dental implants are an excellent alternative. A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth. Because it is implanted into jaw bone, where it becomes solidly fused, it provides stimulation that preserves facial bone. The implant is finished with a porcelain crown restoration that looks, functions, and feels just like a tooth. It maintains healthy alignment, too.

A span of missing teeth can be replaced with an implant-supported dental bridge. Two implants are placed, at either end of the space. The bridge has crowns cemented over implant abutments, holding artificial teeth in place. This is a good solution for three to five missing teeth in a row.

Do denture slips, clicks, and eating restrictions leave you feeling beyond your years? Implants can help! Usually just four specially designed implants are placed to solidly anchor an entire arch of teeth. Implant-retained dentures let you smile, speak, laugh, sing, kiss, and eat with youthful exuberance.

Give your smile the healthy attention it deserves with dental implants treatment at Bright Smiles Dental Studio, serving the Montrose, CA area. The number is (818) 290-8788 .

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One tooth

Each tooth in your mouth has a crown, visible above the gum line. Beneath it lies a root that penetrates deep into jawbone to support the crown, allowing you to chew food. Many people confuse an artificial crown with a dental implant. However, the implant actually replaces the root of the missing tooth, while a porcelain crown serves as the finishing touch for the restoration.

The implant is meticulously placed into jawbone during a brief oral surgery. As bone fuses with the implant, it performs the function of a natural root, stabilizing the crown restoration and providing vital stimulation that preserves facial bone.

A single tooth, congenitally missing or lost to decay, trauma, or gum disease, may be replaced in this fashion. Implants can be used to replace multiple teeth, absent at various locations in the mouth. The technique keeps remaining teeth from shifting out of position, helping to preserve oral health, chewing function, and a beautiful smile.

An increasing number of people are seeking an alternative to root canal therapy for teeth that have bacterial contamination at the nerve center. While endodontic treatment remains sound general dentistry, implants present an alternative for those who do not want root canal treatment. Instead, the infected, inflamed, or dead tooth is extracted and replaced with an implant.

Several teeth

In the past, if you lost one, two, or three teeth in a row, your dentist recommended a partial denture or a dental bridge. A partial denture is economical. Since it is removable, though, it is not terribly secure. Plus, the denture is held in place with clips. These attachments may cause premature wear to existing teeth, resulting in more dental work in the future.

A bridge consists of two crowns holding one or more artificial teeth between them. The crowns are cemented over prepared natural teeth for a sturdy foundation. Thus, healthy adjacent teeth must be ground down to anchor the prosthetic.

An implant-supported bridge solves these concerns. A span of three to five successive missing teeth can be replaced with a dental bridge affixed to two dental implants. This configuration is more economical than replacing each tooth with an implant, requires less time in the chair, and lasts a long time with good oral hygiene. 

An entire arch

Are you missing all your upper or lower teeth, or both arches? There are implant solutions for this, too.

An implant retained denture is designed with attachment points that snap over fittings on dental implants. Often, just four implants hold a whole arch of teeth for extremely secure smiling, talking, and eating enjoyment. The upper denture does not cover the palate, so taste and temperature sensation are not affected. If you have a denture that you like, and it fits great, it can be retrofitted to work with implants, saving you money.

Maybe you have some remaining teeth that need to be extracted, but you don’t want to be seen with a gummy smile. Mini-dental implants are specially-designed for “immediate load.” Implants are placed at the time of extraction, and the denture inserted right away. The denture protects your mouth as it heals, and you leave the office with teeth.

If you have gone a long time without teeth, you may have significant bone loss. However, with modern bone grafting methods, you could still be a good candidate for implant dentures.

Key points to remember

• Stand-alone implant restorations look natural and feel and function like natural teeth.
• The success rate for properly placed implants is excellent.
• With good oral hygiene, a dental implant can last the rest of your life.
• You can count on Dr. Garcia to explain treatment options and help you make an informed dental healthcare decision that fits your lifestyle as well as your smile.

There are many dental implant options for patients in La Crescenta, CA area at Bright Smiles Dental Studio in Glendale. Call (818) 290-8788 to schedule an implant consultation with Dr. Garcia.

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Long-lasting tooth replacement 

It is important to replace missing teeth. Otherwise, healthy teeth will shift out of position, creating misalignment that contributes to gum disease and tooth decay. Gaps and crooked teeth also affect digestion, clear speech, and the look of your whole face.

A partial denture or a bridge can do the job. However, they are dental prosthetics that sit on top of gum tissue. Either will hold an artificial tooth in the place of one that is missing, but they do not become part of your body.

A dental implant is a small post made of strong, biocompatible material placed into the jawbone. As bone fuses with the implant, it replaces the root of the missing tooth, forming a solid foundation for a porcelain crown. 

Do tooth implants look real? 

This question is often posed to Dr. Garcia by patients considering treatment options, since appearance is a concern. No other tooth replacement method looks more natural than an implant. Here are some of the reasons:

• Self-supporting – An implant restoration is stabilized beneath the gum line, with no metal clips showing.
• Secure – An implant does not wobble or slip.
• Gum health – With good hygiene, gums stay pink and vital around the implant, avoiding a visible line where the crown meets soft tissues.
• Realistic crown – The crown is precision crafted of lustrous porcelain. It has translucency similar to natural tooth structure and is meticulously shaded to match existing teeth.
• Facial support – Each tooth root provides stimulation that keeps facial bone from diminishing. Tooth implants mimic that function, helping to keep the lower portion of the face full and youthful looking.

Don’t let a gap mar your beautiful smile. Call the dentist Montrose, CA families trust for tooth implant treatment – Dr. Carlos Garcia at (818) 290-8788 .

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Implant background

A removable denture or a fixed bridge sits on top of gum tissue. A dental implant is a tiny screw made of biocompatible material. It resides in jawbone at the site of a missing tooth. Bone fuses with the implant, replicating a tooth root and providing a solid foundation for a crown. An implant is unnoticeable in the smile, and you care for it just like your own teeth.

About placement

Placement of a dental implant is considered an oral surgery because tissue is cut. However, concerns invoked by the term “surgery” are minimal:

• It is an outpatient procedure, performed at the oral surgeon’s office in a dental chair.
• You are not “knocked out.” Oral conscious or IV sedation helps to relax you while local numbing ensures a comfortable experience.
• There is no guesswork. Using hi-tech imaging and diagnostic tools, Dr. Garcia works closely with the oral surgeon to plan treatment in advance.
• Placement is precise. The surgeon knows exactly where the implant goes and the ideal angle for successful healing. In some cases, the work is computer-guided, further reducing risk of complications.
• The incision is tiny. Usually only a few sutures are needed to help it close.
• It heals fast. Most patients eat normally in a day or two, and stitches come out in about a week.
• The success rate is high – over 98 percent!

Please don’t let anxiety keep you from a healthy, gorgeous smile. Call (818) 290-8788 to schedule an implant consultation with Dr. Garcia.

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Understanding implants

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root. It resides in the jawbone, and is finished with a dental crown. This is a significant difference from a partial denture or a dental bridge, both of which sit on top of gum tissue.

Combating bone loss

Each time you bite down on a natural tooth, your body receives signals through the root indicating that stability is needed for chewing. Minerals and nutrients are sent to the site, keeping bone dense and strong.

When even one tooth is missing, vital stimulation is lost. The body sends building blocks to other areas, gradually deteriorating bone in the jaw. The face develops a caved in appearance, and bone resorption may begin to impact stability of adjacent teeth.

A dental implant mimics the root of a natural tooth, transferring bite sensation in the same manner. Not only do you get a complete smile and restored chewing function, the implant helps to keep facial features full and looking more youthful.

Additional benefits of implants

• High success rate. With good oral care, an implant can last a lifetime.
• Feels like real. An implant restoration looks, feels, and chews like a natural tooth. You may forget which tooth is the implant!
• Easy care. Just brush and floss normally, and be sure to maintain regular checkups at Bright Smiles Dental Studio in Glendale, CA.

To learn more about implants for teeth, call (818) 290-8788 to schedule a visit with Dr. Garcia.

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