If you take a closer look at an elderly person’s face, you would no doubt see the signs of ageing. Wrinkles, sunken eyes and leathery skin are all a part of growing old; but have you also noticed that their jaw area seems to have lost structure and definition? This is because in old age tooth loss is common; teeth actually play a vital role in keeping your jaws intact and retaining the shape of your face even though you may not really have realised it. Your jawbone is actually dependent on your teeth to keep them in good condition so when your teeth go missing, the bone does not see much point in hanging around and eventually begins to wear away. This can be remedied with dental implants although if too old, people prefer to not put themselves through the rigours of the surgery.
The Root Of It
Quite literally actually. Implants begin from the very root of the tooth. Although this is why it is considered invasive, this is also the reason why the option is one of the most stable as far as replacing teeth goes. Through a method known technically as ‘osseointegration’, this root which is typically made out of titanium fuses with the bone thus cementing it in place. The rejection rate of this is quite low since the metal is known to be bio-compatible, although there have been isolated incidents of this happening. Do be careful when it comes to prices though; for example, though you might find options for dental implants at Richmond that is not to say the job will be of a good quality.
The Bone
One of the most important pre-requisites when it comes to implants is that the patient has sufficient bone to work with. After all, the implant will be secured into the jawbone and therefore needs a solid anchor. However, if one waits too long after tooth loss to get implants, chances are the bone would have deteriorated as it has not had any support for a long time. Which means that before the implants, your dentist would request for a bone graft to be done where your bone will be brought upto a certain mass. Only after this is complete will they look at continuing with the procedure.
Cost
Yes, the process can cost quite a bit, however this does vary depending on where you go. It is vital that you do not make price your deciding factor. At the same time, there could be dentists who choose to offer very competitive prices for a braces alternatives http://www.victoriastreetdental.com.au/services/orthodontics/; it all really depends on how much research you do into the topic. A good way to find out is by reading forums and other threads where members of the community would have commented about the services they received from various clinics.
Restrictions
As with any invasive treatment, there will be restrictions that come about for your safety. For instance, children will not qualify for implants as they are still growing, and the procedure is far too tough for them to handle. They will need to wait until they are old enough to sit through it. Someone who is too old or weak from an illness are also not suitable candidates as they too are not upto the effects of the procedure. It is best that you seek medical advice to ensure you go about this as safe as possible.