Dentistry for Senior Citizens

As is the case with every part of the human body, 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 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 offers 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 or her teeth and gums, by the time that person reaches the elder years, he or she may require extensive restorative, or reconstructive, dentistry. Restorative dentists specialize in restoring function as well as beauty to smiles affected by damaged or missing teeth. Some restorative dentistry treatments 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 has a number of teeth that are extensively damaged, his or her restorative dentist may recommend a full mouth reconstruction.

Dentures and Dental Implants

For many seniors, their main dental goal is to replace teeth that have been lost, for whatever reason. Missing teeth pose more than an aesthetic issue; surrounding teeth may shift out of position toward gaps, bacteria is more likely to grow in food trapped in these gaps, and the ability to chew and speak can be severely compromised.

While a dental crown or a crown and bridge system may be used to replace one or two teeth, many 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 an entire set, depending on the patient's 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 often an ideal solution. Implants are titanium posts that, once they are implanted in the jawbone, act as artificial tooth roots. These new roots can be used to support a single crown, a bridge, or even a full set of dentures.

The installation of dental implants requires the expertise of 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 gum disease has been tied to heart disease and some types of cancer, it is very important that patients of all ages undergo regular periodontal screening.

Contact a Dentist near You

If you are a senior citizen in need of an experienced restorative, cosmetic, implant, or cosmetic dentist, you are invited to search the DocShop directory to find a dentist in your area today.