Losing your teeth later on in life is quite a common part of the natural ageing process. Research has shown that here, in Australia, over 40% of adults aged over 75 and 25% of adults over the age of 65 report that they have missing teeth. This is because as you age your teeth are more prone to cavities and decay, and your gums become more prone to disease. Therefore, it is important to visit the dentist more regularly later on in life to make sure that your teeth are clean and healthy, and that your gums are strong and free of disease. As you become older your teeth become less sensitive and therefore you may not realise if you are presenting signs of disease. Unless you visit the dentist regularly then cavities and decay will remain undetected until they have progressed significantly or the damage is irreversible and results in a tooth extraction. A tooth can even become loose and fall out by itself. It is usually recommended that you visit the dentist once every six months, however, later on in life it is recommended that you visit the dentist more frequently to look after your oral health and maintain your natural teeth for the rest of your life.
The gold standard for tooth replacement
Tooth loss can have a negative impact on your remaining healthy teeth, as well as impacting the function and appearance of your mouth. If you are missing a tooth then you need to speak to your dentist to find out about a dental implant Melbourne. A dental implant is a small titanium component that works as a replacement root for your missing tooth. Over the last few decades dental implants have seen a surge in popularity amongst dentists and patients alike and have now become the gold standard in tooth replacement therapy.
The importance of healthy teeth, gums and bones for implant surgery
A dental implant will help you achieve a permanent, sturdy and aesthetically pleasing solution for your tooth loss. Whether you have one missing tooth and are looking for a single dental implant or you have multiple missing teeth and require multiple dental implants, by speaking to your dentist you will be able to have an individually tailored treatment plan put together for you to address your personal preferences and your dental requirements. Your dentist will first carry out a comprehensive examination of your remaining teeth and gums to make sure that you have no underlying dental issues. If you do, then these will need to be addressed prior to dental implant surgery and will help promote better oral health, preventing further tooth loss in the future.
To undergo dental implant surgery you will also need to have sufficient healthy alveolar bone for the implant to be embedded into. Tooth loss can result in bone decay, therefore it is important to visit your dentist early on when you lose a tooth so that it is easier to address your dental needs. If you do not have sufficient healthy alveolar bone then you may need to undergo bone grafting to enable successful implant surgery.
Now you are ready to undergo dental implant surgery, so speak to your dentist to find out about how this works and the advantages it can have for you.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.