Seniors with tooth loss typically face many issues with traditional dentures, including slippage, pain, and inadequate chewing capacity, and their ability to engage in daily living activities like speaking, eating, and socializing comfortably is often negatively impacted. Some overdenture implants are changing the ways seniors regain confidence and ability with their smiles.
Overdenture implants use small titanium posts that are inserted surgically into the jawbone and provide a significantly different experience than conventional removable dentures that reside on the gums. The overdenture is anchored to the implants, providing partial or full retention, depending on the number of implants placed. Hence, the overdenture can function like natural teeth, which provides assurance to seniors that they can restore the beauty of a full smile while feeling comfortable when chewing or speaking.
Key Advantages of Overdenture Implants
1. Enhanced Stability and Comfort
One of the key reasons that seniors look for “best overdenture implants near me” is stability. Conventional dentures can slip and shift, making them uncomfortable to wear. Overdenture implants are secured and permanently seated in the mouth, so the possibility of irritation and sores from dentures rubbing against the soft tissue is eliminated while substantially minimizing the use of adhesives.
2. Preservation of Jawbone Structure
Bone loss associated with tooth loss is a normal part of the aging process. Bone loss can slowly promote facial sagging and changes to your appearance. Implant-supported overdentures will stimulate the jawbone and promote the preservation of density and shape of the bone/jaw. This is important for older adults who wish to avoid the sunken facial features sometimes seen as a consequence of long-term tooth loss.
3. Improved Nutrition and Quality of Life
With stable overdenture implants, seniors are able to better eat a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, protein, and much more—food that they may have a difficult time with if they do not wear secure dentures. Properly chewing food enhances digestion and contributes to adequate nutrition and health for your body.
4. Long-Term Value
The price for overdenture implants is more expensive than standard dentures; however, long-term the value will be a good investment. Overdentures last longer than regular dentures, require fewer adjustments, and have a decreased risk of complications compared to poorly fitting dentures. In other words, long-term the cost per year of service will be.
Who Should Consider Overdenture Implants?
Overdenture implants are a good fit for seniors who:
Have dental plates that are loose or ill-fitting.
Have trouble chewing or speaking.
Worry about jawbone retention and the appearance of their face shape.
They are overall healthy and in good oral health to have minor surgery in their mouth.
Before undertaking anything, a complete dental investigation is needed to assess the amount of bone density, the health of the gums and if dental implants are possible. The dentist may even recommend bone graft or some other treatment to ensure longevity and success for the implants in certain circumstances.
The Procedure and Aftercare
In general, the procedure consists of placing 2-4 dental implants in the jaw, and the dental implants require several months to integrate to the bone. After the recovery period, an overdenture system will be placed on the dental implants. The clinical aspect of the procedure is minimally invasive, as describe by patients who only had minimal discomfort and a quick recovery from the procedure.
After the dental implants are placed, maintaining good oral hygiene is critical to maintaining good oral health long term. Regular dental visits for inoffice cleaning of the overdenture and dental implants, and proper maintenance of oral hygiene, will help ensure that the overdenture lasts for years and performs well.
Overdentures Implants are more than just an aesthetic improvement, they are a complete functional solution that enhances oral health and nutrition while improving quality of life for seniors. Overdentures are changing the way we age and be confident in our smile by providing stability, bone preserving and functional chewing and speaking abilities.
If you are a senior considering teeth replacement, the first step to restoring function, comfort, and a natural, stable smile is to schedule a consultation with a dental implant expert.
The article "How Overdenture Implants Are Redefining Senior Smiles" was originally posted here.
