Our smiles say a lot about us, but unfortunately, as we grow older, our teeth no longer represent us in the way we'd like to be seen. Teeth often fall out or have to be removed with age.
On average, at least 30% of adults over the age of 75 in the United States have none of their natural teeth remaining, and seniors over 65 only have an average of 18.90 remaining teeth. However, your family dentist has options available to keep your smile shining bright, in spite of your tooth loss.
Dentures
Dentures have been the default solution for tooth loss for hundreds of years. Partial dentures or full dentures fit in place around remaining teeth, or on top of the gums. Dentures are removed each night for cleaning. Dentures rely primarily on suction and a close fit to stay in place, however, as jaw bone loss decreases with age, it's more and more difficult to get dentures to stay in place. As people are living longer, with healthier teeth, they are finding themselves less and less satisfied with dentures.
Dental Implants
Dental implants have grown in popularity over the last 30 years. Over 3 million Americans have dental implants, and that number is growing. They are a more permanent option than dentures, and are built to last for the rest of your life. You can get a single dental implant for a single tooth, all the way up to a replacing an entire set of teeth. While they are most expensive than dentures, there are low cost dental implants available, and the savings over time make implants a better investment.
If you're thinking about dentures or dental implants, ask your family dentist what option would be best for you. They can discuss the options with you, and the different types of dental implants and dentures. With a simple trip to the dentist office, your family dentist can help you regain a lot of the confidence you may have lost due to tooth loss. Let affordable cosmetic dentistry, like dentures or dental implants, get you smiling again.