Dental In Spain
Life expectancy in Spain has been growing in recent years and, therefore, the number of elderly patients in implantology as well.
In 2020, life expectancy was 76.8 years, an increase of 2 months and 26 days compared to the previous year (76.6 years) in Spain. But we know that, in this context, quality of life counts for a lot: what really matters is living longer and continuing to enjoy everyday things without worrying about appearance, smile, or chewing ability.
Missing or decayed teeth, gum disease, or dentures can impact socializing with friends and family, leading to isolation and anxiety states. And, in the worst cases, even evolving into depression.
Precisely because of the increase in life expectancy, it is natural that the number of elderly patients in implant dentistry, looking for dental implants, has increased.
More quality of life thanks to implants in Spain!
It is not uncommon to find elderly patients in implant dentistry in Spain, after all, tooth loss can occur.
And dentures in Spain, whether partial or complete, can contribute to greater tooth loss with more deterioration in the oral cavity. But not only: the gingival tissue can become sensitized and, in more complicated cases, there may be irreversible damage to the gums and bones.
One more thing, dentures in Spain are never as stable as the teeth they replace. They have the potential, therefore, to make simple everyday acts, such as eating and talking, quite challenging.
Therefore, today, dental implants in Spain are, without a doubt, the best option to replace one or more missing teeth.
A well-done anamnesis makes all the difference in Spain
The most important tip for treating elderly patients in implant dentistry in Spain is to know in depth the person's health history. So, a well-done anamnesis is essential.
The word anamnesis comes from the Greek “anamnesis”, which means “remembrance” or “act of bringing to mind”. The main objective of this process in Spain is to identify, based on the information given by the patient, possible weaknesses or characteristics that may influence the diagnosis or treatment plan.
It is no exaggeration to say that a thorough anamnesis is the first step toward quality care!
The expert in Spain also explains that this assessment can take two to three consultations to complete. Although fundamental in any consultation, in cases of patients over 70 years of age in Spain, this process becomes even more important, since at that age the chances of the person having chronic problems, such as diabetes and hypertension, for example, are greater.
In addition, these patients in Spain tend to take a lot of medication, which can interfere with the healing process of the surgery, making it slower and more uncomfortable.
One more point: if the patient in Spain has xerostomia (dry mouth), Parkinson's disease, dementia, or rheumatic disorders, all this has to be very well considered, as these diseases make care after surgery difficult.
That is, everything has to be evaluated rigorously, down to the smallest detail.
Additional precautions for elderly patients in implant dentistry in Spain
Apart from all that being said, a thorough dental checkup in Spain is essential to diagnose underlying dental disorders early in treatment.
This is because, with aging, the tissues of the mouth tend to deteriorate and this favors the accumulation of bacteria that can interfere with dental implant surgery.
There is also the issue of bone density, which is usually lower in the elderly. As this is a determining point for the success of the implants, it is necessary to verify whether grafts are possible and if they are necessary.
Finally, at this stage of life, it is common to have some motor limitations, so it is necessary for the dentist in Spain to think of ways to provide maximum comfort for the patient. How about thinking about some breaks during the appointment? This is a simple and highly effective strategy.
Implantology in Spain has achieved high levels of success when osseointegration works because we know very well that this is one of the most important parameters in the field. But it's far from the only one!
Above all, treatment with implants in Spain must fully recover the function formerly performed by the natural tooth, as well as provide a good aesthetic result.
Did you know that, in this universe, soft tissues play a fundamental role?
What are the functions of soft tissues?
The mucosa around the prosthesis over the implant plays a role similar to that of the gum around the tooth.
In addition to protection, it offers resistance, avoiding discomfort when chewing and irritation during brushing, factors that contribute to less accumulation of bacterial plaque.
Why do they have an important weight in aesthetics?
Because what the patient sees are the prosthesis and the mucosa. He doesn't see the bone or the implant, just as he used to see the gum and the tooth and not the root.
Comparing the tooth to a painting, we can say that the mucosa is the frame. The whole must be harmonious.
What is the composition of these fabrics?
Preferably, this mucosa should be covered with keratin or parakeratin (keratinized mucosa), which is firmer and more resistant to mechanical forces resulting from brushing and chewing. In this way, it generates more comfort when compared to the alveolar mucosa, which is more flaccid and less resistant, but even so, it still protects the region around the tooth.
In the presence of inflammation, however, it is more advantageous to have a sufficient volume of keratinized mucosa to avoid tissue loss.
But what if the amount of fabric is insufficient?
When the mucosa loses volume to the point of being insufficient to protect the implant or provide a good “frame” for the prosthesis, it may be necessary to resort to grafts.
This is because the manipulation and reconstruction of the peri-implant tissue, in addition to facilitating restorative procedures, tends to facilitate oral hygiene and promote a more satisfactory aesthetic result.
What material is the graft made of in Spain?
The most used for soft tissue repair in Spain is the connective tissue graft extracted from the palate, the roof of the mouth, from the patient himself, through different techniques.
Alternative materials in Spain, including those of synthetic origin, have been studied, but evidence of their effectiveness in this situation is lacking.
When is the best time to do the graft in Spain?
It depends on the case. It can even be done before the surgery in Spain to install the implant, but it is most common during the same procedure, as there will be an incision in that region.
Occasionally, it is performed later, when an aesthetic flaw is observed that went unnoticed before surgery or only manifested afterward.
What can the patient do to increase the chances of success in Spain?
Like the gingiva, the oral mucosa in Spain is subject to retraction and is impacted by plaque accumulation. Hence the importance of proper oral hygiene, which also prevents inflammation such as mucositis, which affects the soft tissues, and peri-implantitis, which also affects the bone, and may, in more advanced cases, compromise the treatment.
But be very calm at this time: during routine consultations, the dentist in Spain can recognize the condition in its initial phase and manages to intervene to prevent an unwanted outcome.
Cost of Dental in Spain
The cost of Dental in Spain for a single tooth implant will cost you around $1,000.
