lifestyle%20-%20joubert%20fam%20pic_dsc0535-550?v=1

Life-Saving Dental Care

Arboretum Family Dentistry Has Dental Care Solutions That Help Prevent Future, Long-Term Issues

During my senior year in dental school, my grandmother, then 80 years old, stopped socializing because of ill-fitting dentures. My grandfather was devastated because she would no longer accompany him to the bowling alley, a restaurant or the senior center. She was embarrassed because of the sounds her lower denture made when she was eating and speaking, and she also had while eating.

Because she had lost so much bone a new denture was not an option and implants to stabilize the denture were not yet available. My grandfather tried everything to make it better by grinding the denture himself, then using denture adhesive and denture pads.

Eventually, the issue profoundly affected her mental health and physical health. She lost her ability to eat and became depressed. Within a matter of months, she was hospitalized because of gastric issues and high blood pressure. She was never able to return home and passed away less than a year after her denture issues began. My grandfather was so devastated his health also deteriorated and he passed away the following year.

This was in 1984. Fortunately, we have made huge advances in dentistry since then. However, I still see a tremendous amount of unnecessary suffering due to issues that are not addressed by the patient or the dentist until it is a serious health threat. Some dentists and patients follow the old school of thought that advocates watching issues to see if they become problematic. Doing nothing is always an option but with most patients now living well into their 80s, it has become a serious risk.

Through my experience in private practice and my work treating seniors in many senior care facilities, I have come to recognize two major issues that are affecting the quality of life and the life span of many seniors. One is the rampant decay associated with decreased saliva flow and the other is the loss of supporting bone associated with long-term denture wearers.

In my opinion, the biggest problem seniors face today that affects their oral health is a decrease in saliva flow. Dry mouth can result from many different medications or health issues and it’s also seen as part of aging. It is now considered to be of epidemic proportions in our senior community. When saliva flow decreases, any exposed tooth structure will no longer be remineralized after eating. This creates an extremely destructive environment, especially around exposed crown margins. The teeth holding dental fillings, crowns and bridges that have survived for decades or work that has been recently done can be destroyed within months when there is exposed tooth structure and saliva flow decreases.

This is why, as a part of my treatment for patients of all ages, I perform additional procedures so the margins of fillings, crowns and bridges are carefully installed well below the gum line. This ensures that the crown margin and remaining tooth structure are protected from both decay-causing bacteria and the more extensive decalcification and decay caused by the destructive oral environment that develops when there is decreased saliva flow.

Another issue seniors face is the inability to eat comfortably if they have ill-fitting dentures. Over time, the tissue under the dentures changes – it can get mobile and painful if there is bone resorption. When this happens, eating and speaking become a source of anxiety for these seniors. There are both surgical and non-surgical solutions for this issue, and following a discussion to explain these treatment options we are able to provide the best care for our patients on an individual basis.

One underutilized option that I offer patients is the use of mini implants to stabilize the denture. This is the most cost-effective and affordable option that will both stabilize the denture and permanently preserves the bone. If this had been available when I was graduating from dental school, my grandparents would most definitely have had a better quality of life in their final years.

I have spent much of my time in continuing education learning techniques that can make a difference in the long term health and quality of life of my senior patients. I now find that these techniques are the best practices for all my adult patients since they will inevitably benefit from this extra measure of protection. For more information about the services offered at my practice, Arboretum Family Dentistry, visit ArboretumFamilyDentistry.com or call 704.544.9199.

    Related Businesses

    Rajeunir Med Spa - Overland Park

    Massage

    Rajeunir Med Spa - Overland Park

    Overland Park, KS

    With over 20 years in business, Rajeunir Medical Spa provides the most advanced, minimally invasive, results-oriented medical...

    Bennett Eye Institute

    Optometrists

    Bennett Eye Institute

    Kailua Kona, HI

    Our mission is to help you enjoy life to the fullest by protecting, preserving and restoring the most precious gift-the gift...

    East Valley Dermatology Center

    Dermatologists

    East Valley Dermatology Center

    Chandler, AZ

    Dermatology specialists located in the heart of one of the sunniest and fastest growing regions in the country.

    See More

    Related Articles

    See More