Notes when planting dental implants for the elderly

Unlike dental implants for young people, dental implants for the elderly require a thorough examination, consideration of restoration methods, health, aesthetics and chewing function so that the restoration process is most effective. So what are the things to keep in mind when getting dental implants for the elderly? Please refer to the following article for more information!

1. Effects of tooth loss in the elderly

The older you get, the weaker your oral health becomes, and the more susceptible you are to oral diseases such as: sensitive teeth, dry mouth, gum disease, total tooth loss, etc. And one of the common diseases in the elderly is tooth loss, which has a great impact on mental life. 

• Susceptible to digestive diseases: When teeth are lost, the ability to chew will decrease, making eating unappetizing, leading to a lack of essential nutrients for the body, weakening the body, making it susceptible to intestinal and digestive diseases…
• Causes jaw bone loss: facial deformation, aging, sunken cheeks in the elderly.
• Displacement of remaining teeth: Missing teeth will create a gap in the position of the missing tooth, causing the remaining teeth to shift, move from their original position… leading to misalignment of the bite.
• Loss of aesthetics: Tooth loss makes patients lack confidence in communication, especially in cases of front tooth loss.
• Incorrect pronunciation : When teeth are lost, especially the front teeth, it will make it difficult for the patient to pronounce each word correctly, making it easy to lisp.
• Temporomandibular joint disorder: When tooth loss leads to malocclusion, prolonged jaw bone loss, the nerve will be closer to the mucosa (temporomandibular joint disorder) causing headaches, pain in the temples, muscles in the neck-shoulder-nape area… 

2. Dental implant methods for the elderly

Currently, there are 3 methods of dental implants for the elderly including: removable dentures, porcelain bridges and implants. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. 

2.1. Removable dentures

Removable dentures are a solution for restoring the tooth body. The structure of this type of denture includes a plastic base that simulates gum tissue and a denture that is pressed on top. First, the doctor will take an impression of the jaw and send the parameters to the laboratory technician to make the removable denture. Then, the denture is placed on the gum.

The biggest limitation of this technique is that the chewing force is not high, only about 30-40% of natural teeth. Besides, they are not fixed, so there are many disadvantages such as: 

• No tooth roots so cannot prevent jaw bone loss; 
• Poor durability;  
• After a while, if not cleaned thoroughly, oral fluids will seep into the dentures, causing a bad odor that leads to bad breath;
• Removable dentures are very sensitive to hot and cold foods, and are especially susceptible to deformation in hot water environments with high temperatures.

Removable dentures are considered a last resort, often prescribed for patients who are not eligible or do not want to use other methods. 

2.2. Porcelain bridge

Porcelain bridges use the support force of the adjacent teeth to restore the lost tooth. When a patient loses a tooth, the doctor will grind the two adjacent teeth and attach a 3-tooth porcelain bridge on top. The advantage of this method is that it is quick to perform, only about 2-4 days. The chewing force is quite high, about 60-70% of natural teeth.

However, as we age and are affected by mechanical and chemical factors, the health of our teeth will more or less decline. If they are too weak, the lifespan and chewing force of the dental bridge will not be guaranteed. Furthermore, this solution cannot restore the tooth root at the location of the missing tooth, so the porcelain dental bridge will still cause jaw bone loss.

Therefore, we should only perform porcelain bridges when we lose one tooth or several teeth. It cannot be performed in cases of multiple consecutive tooth loss or total tooth loss.

2.3. Implantation

An implant is a small post made of titanium. They are implanted into the jawbone to perform the same role as a tooth root. After a period of time for the implant to firmly adhere and bond tightly to the jawbone, the doctor will restore a porcelain tooth on top to form a complete tooth.

The difference between dental implants and traditional dentures is the ability to preserve jawbone because dental implants have roots. Therefore, they function similarly to real teeth, limiting bone loss and providing very solid chewing ability.

3. Is dental implant good for the elderly?

The question of whether dental implants are good for the elderly depends on the condition, conditions and needs of each person. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. When choosing dental implants for restoration, you can be completely assured of the aesthetics, durability and long-term chewing function, even permanently. At the same time, it also effectively prevents bone loss, protecting the position of the remaining teeth. 

However, the cost of dental implants is still quite high. The time to perform and for the body to adapt to the implant is quite long. Usually, it takes 1-3 months to start installing the porcelain crown. In some special cases, the time for the body to adapt can last up to 6 months. In addition, the elderly need to fully meet the following criteria: 

• The jawbone is strong and has high stability.
• The implant process takes place over a relatively long period of time. Therefore, health issues must be ensured. For people with a history of cardiovascular, liver, kidney disease, etc., implanting teeth can cause some problems during the procedure.
• When people pass the age of 50, their bone density begins to decline. Therefore, it is necessary to make sure that the bone density of the person getting dental implants is still good enough. And does not have osteoporosis.
• Gum recession is not too serious.

With the standards and characteristics when placing an implant, you need to consider carefully and have a general health check-up first to receive advice and opinions from your doctor about the most suitable method for you. 

4. Benefits of dental implants for the elderly

An implant is a small titanium post used to support a dental bridge, crown or denture, surgically placed in the jawbone. Implantation aims to restore the aesthetics and function of the tooth with the same color and shape as a real tooth. With implantation:

• Prevent and minimize bone loss due to tooth loss
• Does not affect surrounding teeth, absolutely preserves teeth
• Ensure normal pronunciation, without incorrect pronunciation caused by tooth loss
• Implant material is benign and can last forever if well cared for.
• Restore chewing function of teeth, ensuring high aesthetics for the entire jaw.

5. Cost of dental implants for the elderly

Nowadays, many dental clinics offer cheap dental implant services FULL PACKAGE/tooth. Patients who have dental implants will not need to pay extra for related services. Usually, when choosing an implant, you will receive an equivalent porcelain crown as a gift.

There are many types of implants and abutments. Each type has different advantages and prices. Therefore, the cost of dental implants will depend on factors such as the condition of tooth loss, the type of implant/ceramic crown you choose and your finances. 

In general, the price of 1 implant tooth will range from 13 – 43 million and additional costs will be added for cases requiring bone grafting, sinus lift, etc. 

Cost of 1 dental implant = (Implant price + crown) x Number of teeth needing restoration + additional costs

Dental implants for the elderly not only improve aesthetics but also help prevent problems caused by tooth loss, maintaining stable chewing ability. Hopefully, the above information can help you have the necessary knowledge when implanting teeth for the elderly. Please continue to follow us to update the most accurate information about dentistry!

>>> When you lose a tooth, Implant is the best choice today. However, if you have had an Implant and still want to have braces, is that possible? The answer will be informed in the next article: Can you have braces after Implant?