Rewinding the Years: Dental Care Tips for Older Adults

Dental implants replace your tooth roots, and are either permanent or removable. They're a popular choice among qualified patients who want the durability, convenience, and improved appearance that implants offer. If you have healthy gums and enough bone onto which the implant can be placed, talk to your dentist about the different options available to you. Listed below are some alternative methods that include all the advantages of traditional implants, but that aren't as invasive. 

Same-Day Implants

Some dental emergencies, such as failing dentures or missing teeth, are prime candidates for same-day implants. High-definition CT scans of a patient's mouth can allow dentists to form custom implants and place them in the span of just one appointment. Some procedures include a temporary crown, and take up to six months for the implant to fuse with the bone. Immediate placement isn't the right fit for all clients and cases, but if you know that you still have enough bone to support an implant, ask a dentist like http://www.salemdentistry.net if same day implants are right for you.

Denture Stabilization

Even if you're not a candidate for traditional dental implants, it doesn't mean you're completely out of luck. Patients with dentures often worry that their dentures will loosen over time, or become less stable. Denture stabilization techniques can help in solving these problems. They can include the implementation of so-called miniature implants, which are smaller and more narrow than most other implants. Whereas a traditional implant might measure up to five millimeters in length, a mini implant is usually less than three millimeters long. Mini implants are FDA approved, and will help you speak and eat with confidence.

All-On-Four

The All-On-Four treatment is a trademarked procedure that offers a long-term solution for those with very few or no teeth at all. Over the course of multiple appointments, an implant dentist can place four dental implants at various positions in your mouth, and use these implants to anchor a full set of top or bottom teeth. An initial set of temporary teeth will be given time to fuse with the bone, but also requires patients to adhere to a special diet during this time. Despite these few restrictions, the All-On-Four procedure is ideal for those requiring a permanent bridge.

Ask your local dentist if they are certified by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and don't hesitate to inquire about the alternative techniques described above.