Dental Services for Senior Patients
The primary goal of professional dental care is to preserve oral health so that patients can enjoy the strength and beauty of their natural teeth. Unfortunately, as patients age, the teeth naturally grow weaker, and it can become more difficult to avoid dental complications.
At 38th Street Dental, we offer a comprehensive range of dental services to meet the oral health needs of our senior patients, including restorative dentistry treatments to repair dental damage. By offering quality dental care for seniors at our Austin, TX practice, we make it easier for patients to continue to enjoy good oral health and strong oral functions in their golden years. Read on to learn more about the dental services that can benefit our senior patients, or contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced dentists.
General Dentistry Services
General dentistry services, which are preventative, help patients maintain clean, healthy teeth and gums. The most important general dentistry service is dental exams and cleanings. At these appointments, our dentists clean the teeth to get rid of bacteria and any built-on plaque or tartar, while examining the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth to determine if any follow-up restorative dental care is needed. For most patients, a dental exam and cleaning once every six months is sufficient to prevent serious dental complications.
Unfortunately, senior patients are more susceptible to oral health problems, simply because the teeth naturally weaken as a person ages. If a senior patient is at particularly high risk of issues such as tooth decay or gum disease, we may recommend that they increase routine dental exams and cleanings to once every four months.
Restorative Dentistry Services
The teeth tend to wear down as a person ages, both as a natural part of the aging process and as a response to prolonged wear and tear. When the teeth are weaker, they are more likely to chip or crack. It is also easier for bacteria to get into tooth enamel or deeper layers of the teeth, which increases the risk of tooth decay.
When oral health problems are present, we offer a wide range of restorative dentistry treatments to enhance the strength and structure of the tooth. For minor to moderate tooth decay, our most common treatment options are tooth-colored fillings and dental crowns. Each of these treatments removes damaged tooth enamel, restores tooth structures, and seals off the tooth to block out harmful bacteria. Deciding which treatment is best for each patient will come down to how much of the tooth has been damaged by decay.
Missing Teeth Treatment
Although it is always our goal to preserve the natural teeth, tooth loss is a common problem among seniors. If dental damage is advanced, or if restorative dentistry treatment is neglected, tooth loss may be unavoidable. After tooth loss occurs, restorative dentistry treatment rebuilds the smile by providing replacements for missing teeth.
Treatments for missing teeth include:
- Dental bridge: A dental bridge spans from one natural tooth to another to fill in a gap left by a single missing tooth or a small set of teeth.
- Dentures: A partial denture sits over the gum line to replace a small set of missing teeth. Full dentures can be worn over the gums to replace an entire arch of missing teeth.
- Dental implants: Dental implants are surgically implanted screws that fuse with the jawbone and act as anchors for a range of dental restorations, including dental crowns, dental bridges, and dentures.
When tooth loss occurs, our dentists can go over missing teeth treatment options to determine which best meets the unique needs and desires of our patients.
Contact Us
At 38th Street Dental we offer dental services that meet the unique needs of our senior patients to keep their smiles functional and attractive. To learn more about these services, contact us at your earliest convenience.