Dental Implants for Pensioners in Australia

A great smile is a priceless asset and having a healthy, strong, and beautiful dentition increases your confidence. It is not news that as we get old, the appearance of our teeth begins to wean, especially for the elderly. Taking care of your teeth is a non-negotiable necessity and just like any other essential in life, taking care of your teeth is vital.

In this article, we give detailed information about dental implants for pensioners in Australia. We also seek to answer the common questions you may have concerning dental implants for pensioners in Australia. Some of them include the best ways to keep your teeth in your long-term plans, dentition types, plans, and possible discounts available. If you have further questions about getting dental implants in Perth, you can contact Belmont Dental Surgery.

 

 

 

Understanding Dental Implants for Seniors: Procedure and Recovery 

Unlike unpopular opinions, your age does not hinder you from getting dental implants or getting the perfect finish. The procedure associated with getting a good dental implant is quite uncomplicated.

 

1. Consultation

You have to check in with a professional implant dentist who will run you through the dental implant procedure, implant options as well as recovery and maintenance methods. This step can be overlooked most of the time but is essential if you can get it right in the other stages.

You need to check if you have excessive bone loss. If you do, then you may need bone grafting.

 

2. Dental Implant Placement

The dentist places the implant in the missing tooth area and this procedure is usually associated with little pain and discomfort. But there is no need to worry, in most cases, the pain and any other side effects do not last more than a day or a week.

Some patients request anaesthesia or sedation however many patients are comfortable proceeding under traditional local anaesthesia.

 

3. Osseointegration

This is the process where the gum and dental implant begin to form a solid foundation, and the jawbone and tooth go through the natural process of growing together.

As is the normal case with newly forming teeth, it needs time to heal and get strong so it is advisable to stay off hard meals for at least a month. You can choose softer meals that are easy to chew with less pressure or side effects such as bleeding, swelling, and gum holes in the affected area.

The dental treatment continues with the secure integration of the implant with the jaw bones.

 

4. Post-Osseointegration

Here, the dentist inserts an attachment and this process is known as abutment placement. This small connector is then placed on the implant to help it heal around the gum implant.

Note that the abutment can be placed on the same day of a dental implant or afterwards, it still depends on different cases. After this process, you will now be ready for a new artificial tooth. All that your dentist requires is to take impressions of your mouth to size up your future implant tooth.

 

5. Aftercare

Routine checks are quite necessary to be certain of the well-being and health of your tooth after the procedures. The healing processes after the dental treatment differ and it is wise to be on the same page with your dentist in case you need further help.

These procedures come with a couple of risks, sometimes swelling and pain. Managing it well will guarantee you a speedy and healthy recovery. For dental implant maintenance, you must do the following:

 

• Abstain from excessively hot, cold, or hard meals.
• Brush, floss, and clean the teeth regularly.
• Visit the dentist regularly.

 

Benefits of Dental Implants for Senior Citizens: Improved Oral Health and Quality of Life 

Dental implants have helped thousands of seniors bite, chew and smile better.

 

• Dental implants are easy to maintain, hard to break, and easy to fix, even better than natural teeth. The implants are made of titanium material and are inserted into your jawbone.
• Seniors get to feel youthful, confident, and young again with great teeth and a healthy smile. Psychologically it has been proven that the quality of our teeth is strongly connected to our mental well-being.
• Just like our general health matters, dental health is also important, so looking great while achieving beautiful results is a huge benefit.
• Dental implants prevent gum loss and give you a youthful appearance.

 

Government Grants and Free Dental Implant Programs for Pensioners in Australia 

 

Free Dental Implant Programs for Pensioners: Availability and Limitations 

These are a list of some free dental implant programs in Australia.

 

• DVA Gold Card: The Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) has a dental program to cover its members. However, you need to verify claims through your dental clinic.

 

Low-Cost Dental Implants for Seniors: Tips to Save Money 

 

• Local community health centres are a great way to reduce dental implant costs and put a smile on your face by delivering high-quality care at a low cost.
• Dental schools and training hospitals are other great means to save money. These students from dental colleges cannot wait to get down to the business of giving you that dream dentition for less.
• Veterans’ dental coverage is for veterans who still need to look and feel healthy. A visit to their website is all you need to get the best procedure at an unbeatable price.

 

Factors Affecting the Cost of Dental Implants for Seniors in Australia 

A few factors that affect the price of dental implants are;

 

• Experience of the dentists.
• The difficulty or simplicity of the case.
• Implant materials i.e the implant components.
• The program type. For example, those who get it done with dental students pay less.

 

Ways to Reduce the Cost of Dental Implants for Seniors: Insurance and Payment Plans 

Some avenues to look out for cost-effective dental implants are;

 

• Preferred dental provider organisations allow individuals to choose from dentists enrolled in the program for discounted services.
• Dental indemnity is a plan that reimburses seniors for dental procedures done.
• The dental point of service is where you select a dentist that will refer you to a specialist.
• An exclusive dental provider organisation is a fee-for-service plan where you make a payment to be treated and get reimbursed later on.
• Dental health maintenance organisations on the other hand cover basic dental care.

 

Pensioner Dental Schemes in Australia 

There are a lot of dental schemes for pensioners in Australia.  These include the pension concession card, Commonwealth health card, and dental veteran affairs amongst others.

In summary, all pensioners above 65 years may be eligible for free dental care from public dental services and also an oral health fee-for-service scheme. To partake in these schemes, you just need to be a citizen and a holder of one of the cards listed above.

 

Choosing the Right Dental Implant Provider for Seniors in Australia.

The right dental implant provider for you depends mostly on their service delivery, cost, proximity, expertise, reviews, and quality of equipment and office space. Let us take an in-depth look at these factors below.

 

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dental Implant Provider for Seniors 

Dental implantation is quite sensitive which is why you need expert care. Some factors to guide you in making the right choices are;

 

• reviews from previous clients, experience or expertise of the dentist,
• the communication style of the dentist,
• the quality of technology and office space,
• schedule availability, and
• their value for customer comfort.

 

Tips for Finding a Reliable and Experienced Dental Implant Provider for Seniors 

Finding a reliable and experienced dental implant provider is quite easy and accessible to you today. Log on to our page at Belmont Dental Surgery and contact us immediately.

Our dentists are highly skilled at dental implant surgeries. So be rest assured that you are in the safest hands.