Common Dental Treatments for Seniors By James Stein on August 05, 2013

Teeth are not immune to the signs of aging, but fortunately, there are many treatments to restore a youthful appearance to the teeth. At the Boston cosmetic dentistry practice of Dr. James M. Stein, patients will find a wide variety of cosmetic and restorative dental treatments to rejuvenate the smile. Here are just a few of Dr. Stein's senior patient's favorite restorative dentistry treatments.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

Yellowed, discolored teeth are one of the most common conditions affecting senior's teeth today. Professional in-office teeth whitening is a quick, effective treatment to dramatically improve the appearance of stained teeth. Dr. Stein uses a peroxide gel to achieve bright white results in as little as one hour, making in-office teeth whitening a fantastic treatment even for those with busy schedules.

Porcelain Veneers and Dental Bonding

Porcelain veneers and dental bonding are similar treatments designed to improve both the shade and shape of the teeth. Porcelain veneers use a tooth shaped porcelain shell to cover the front surface of the teeth. Dental bonding uses a putty-like resin, which is shaped to the front surface of the teeth and hardened through a special process. Both treatments can be used to correct uneven, irregularly shaped teeth; close gaps between teeth; and hide the minor chips and cracks that often develop as patients age.

Tooth-Colored Fillings and Inlays and Onlays

For seniors plagued by a mouthful of unsightly metal fillings, tooth-colored fillings are a wonderful treatment option. Metal fillings can be replaced with tooth-colored materials to restore the teeth to a flawless appearance. Inlays and onlays are another tooth-colored option in restoring the look of teeth with metal fillings. Inlays and onlays are similar to tooth-colored fillings and can be used to replace old metal fillings or to treat new cavities and dental damage.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are yet another common treatment for seniors. Porcelain crowns are tooth-shaped caps that fit over damaged teeth to restore both tooth strength and appearance. Porcelain crowns can be used to treat dental damage and cosmetic flaws, including:

Broken teeth
Extensive tooth decay
Teeth weakened by large fillings
Discolored teeth
Chipped or cracked teeth
Small teeth in need of lengthening
The shape of teeth
Gaps between teeth

Dental Implants

Tooth loss is a common concern for many seniors. Missing teeth is not only a source of embarrassment, it can make daily activities like eating and speaking difficult as well as cause alignment issues. Fortunately, dental implants offer a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants are permanent structures placed within the jaw bone to which different types of restorations can be attached based on the needs of the individual. Dental implants can be used to replace individual teeth when combined with dental crown restorations. Multiple teeth can be replaced with this method, however, implant-supported bridges and implant-supported dentures are generally used to replace multiple teeth as they are both more cost and time effective. Implant-supported bridges use one to two dental implants to replace three or more teeth. Implant-supported dentures use three to five dental implants and are attached to the implants via bar or stud.