Dentistry for Senior Citizens

As is the case with all parts of our bodies, our teeth tend to decay, weaken, and break more often with the progression of time. For this and a host of other reasons, senior citizens often require more extensive reconstructive dental care than other, younger patients. Since some seniors may be limited in activity or unable to get around on their own, these patients may forego regular dental checkups and even routine maintenance at home.

It is important for senior citizens to know that it is never too late to preserve and protect the health of one's teeth and gums. Although teeth may weaken with time, modern dentistry has made available a number of solutions to ensure that even senior citizens can enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile for life.

Restorative Dentistry

If a person has not maintained the health of his/her teeth and gums, by the time that person reaches senior citizenship he or she may need extensive restorative, or reconstructive dentistry. Restorative dentists specialize in "restoring" function as well as beauty to smiles with teeth that are damaged or missing. Some restorative dentistry solutions commonly sought by seniors include dental crowns, bridges, the replacement of traditional fillings with metal-free fillings, and the use of dentures or dental implants to fill gaps left by missing teeth. If a patient is experiencing extensive damage to a number of teeth, his or her restorative dentist may recommend a full mouth reconstruction to address a number of issues in as few office visits as possible.

Dentures and Dental Implants

With the progression of time and years of use, our teeth tend to grow weaker and more likely to break as we age. For many seniors, their main dental goal is to replace teeth that have been lost, for whatever reason. Missing teeth pose more than an esthetic issue; surrounding teeth may shift to fill gaps, bacteria or decay is more likely to grow in food trapped in these gaps, and missing teeth can also affect a person's ability to chew or speak with clarity.

While a dental crown or a crown and bridge system may be used to replace one or two teeth, often seniors need a more comprehensive solution such as dentures or dental implants. Dentures are custom-made, removable replacement teeth. They can be constructed to replace just a few teeth, or a full mouth full, depending on the patient's unique needs.

Dentures are a more affordable solution for patients with a number of missing teeth, but some patients find the regular cleaning and maintenance, and the often imperfect fit, to be troublesome. For such patients, dental implants are a fantastic solution. Implants are customized replacement teeth that are permanently grounded in the gums by implanted titanium tooth "roots".

The installation of dental implants requires work with an oral surgeon and is a somewhat lengthy process, but the results are far superior to other tooth replacement methods. If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to learn more about the tooth replacement options available to you, use the DocShop directory to contact a dentist near you.

Periodontics and Gum Disease

Another common dental issue faced by senior citizens is periodontal, or gum disease. As some seniors keep irregular hours and may not be as vigilant about oral care as they once were, the propensity to develop gum disease is high. As gum disease has been tied to heart disease and some types of cancer, it is very important that patients of all ages get a regular periodontal screening.

Contact a Dentist near You

If you are a senior in need of a great restorative, cosmetic, implant, or cosmetic dentist, the hunt to find a professional in your area can be difficult. Fortunately, patients can use the DocShop registry to find the best local dentist for their needs. We encourage you to use DocShop to find a dentist near you today.