Restorative Oral Treatments for Elderly Patients
Elderly men and women generally require more specialized oral care than their younger counterparts, due largely to complications associated with their aging bodies. Some of the most common of these are arthritis and osteoporosis, both of which can dramatically affect the bones and joints of the jaw. In addition, decades of gradual wear to teeth and gums can result in uneven surfaces, a receding gum line and even tooth loss.
Types of Restorative Treatment for Older Patients
1. Dental Implants
Tooth loss is a common occurrence in elderly patients. As the bones and tissue of the mouth degenerate over time, teeth become loose and may drift from their proper position. Gaps form and the structural integrity of tooth formations is compromised.
Whereas dentures and bridges were once the only tooth replacement options available dental implants now make it possible for elderly patients to regain the complete use of their teeth in a way that looks and feels natural. Check-ups at regular intervals following the placement of implants will ensure that the bone to which the implant is anchored continues to hold it in its proper location.
Implants are the strongest and longest-lasting options for people of all ages and provide a particularly substantial advantage for older people. The ability to speak normally and eat foods that would otherwise be restricted becomes increasingly more important as they age. The confidence that accompanies a healthy, complete smile is often critical to mood and self-esteem as well.
2. Solutions for Tooth Wear
For a variety of reasons, the production of saliva decreases in older age. The most common of these reasons are rooted in side effects of necessary medications and natural degeneration of the glands that produce the saliva itself. Without the buffer of saliva that serves to protect tooth surfaces from acid wear, teeth are more susceptible to erosion and decay.
When the enamel of a tooth is eroded, it cannot grow back. The softer, more vulnerable dentin that lies beneath the enamel is left exposed, leading to possible tooth loss or need for extraction. Advanced composite resin components make it possible to build up a new layer of durable, aesthetically pleasing material over the tooth’s surface. This is particularly useful in cases in which the tooth itself is currently healthy enough to retain but susceptible to eventual loss due to erosion, abrasion or attrition. A few millimeters of composite resin added to one or more surfaces of a tooth allows the patient to enjoy the use of his or her natural teeth without pain or fear of future damage.
3. Dental Bonding
Restorative bonding can drastically improve the appearance of teeth and the smile as a whole. Composite materials are used to fill in gaps between teeth, correct discoloration and repair minor fractures in the enamel. The result is a stronger, more aesthetically pleasing smile that can last for years when proper oral hygiene practices are observed.
Your family dentist and oral surgeon can help you achieve your ideal smile, even when the effects of time and normal wear have been visible for years. At your initial consultation, you’ll learn how advanced restorative dental techniques have helped innumerable elderly men and women like you regain the full use of their teeth all while improving their quality of life in general.
Face and Jaw Surgery Center serves all of North Dakota and North West Minnesota including Moorhead, MN and East Grand Forks, MN
Bismarck, ND office
Fargo, ND office
Minot, ND office
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