Common Dental Treatments for Seniors
As people get older, their dental care needs change. This is especially true for the elderly. Senior citizens have many unique dental care needs that need to be addressed, ones that set them apart from even middle-aged adults. The team at our Kansas City cosmetic dentistry center is well equipped to address these needs. Let's take a brief moment right now to look at basic dental care for seniors.
Determining the Ideal Treatments for Older Patients
Each patient has unique dental care needs, and it is always our goal to ensure that those unique needs are met through effective dental treatment. During your visit with a cosmetic dentist in Kansas City, a comprehensive examination and dental health evaluation will be performed in order to ensure that you undergo the right treatment or treatments for your needs.
Below are just a few dental problems that seniors face and the potential treatments that we will consider to help address these needs.
Treatment for Tooth Decay
There are different dental restorations that can be used in order to treat tooth decay. Dental fillings are good for minor tooth decay and cavities. Inlays and onlays are ideal for more serious cases of tooth decay. For major tooth decay, dental crowns are best. All of these help prevent the need for tooth extraction.
Treatment for Gum Recession
Gum recession can become a major issue later in a person's life, both as a result of gum disease as well as the natural aging process. To slow down the gum recession, there are numerous general dental care and hygiene options to consider. Sometimes gum grafting can be performed as well in order to restore the gumline.
Addressing Stains and Discoloration
Tooth discoloration is a natural part of the aging process given how many staining agents the teeth will encounter over time. In order to brighten smiles and reduce discoloration, there is teeth whitening and dental bonding, both of which are quite effective.
Treatments for Major Tooth Injury/Damage
As with tooth discoloration, tooth damage is a natural part of the aging process given years of wear to the teeth. For these matters, we tend to use inlays, onlays, and Kansas City dental crowns to help restore the strength and appearance of the teeth. Again, these restorations are preferable to tooth extraction.
Treatment Options for Missing Teeth
Tooth loss is a common problem among the elderly. Not only are there aesthetic problems related to tooth loss, but there are also issues regarding the functionality of the smile to take into account. In order to address these, dental bridges and dentures are commonly used.
Sometimes patients will be good candidates for dental implants. These artificial tooth roots will be able to hold a dental bridge or a denture in place with great stability and security.
Dry Mouth Treatment
Over time, many patients will experience dry mouth as part of the aging process. This is a common part of getting older, though it may be a sign of a blockage in the salivary glands or even a serious health issue. We will examine your dry mouth carefully to address any blockages or health issues and provide you with tips on how to alleviate the problem.
Schedule a Consultation for Dental Care Treatment
If you would like to learn more about different kinds of dental care treatments, be sure to contact our Kansas City cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. Our entire team looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve the best possible dental health and general wellness.
