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Oral health is critical to our long-term overall health. While years of wear can create unique challenges as we age, senior dentistry focuses on maintaining a healthy, functional smile. At Great Lakes Dental in Mentor, Ohio, we offer senior-friendly and senior-focused dental solutions to keep you smiling for the rest of your life.
As patients age, medication side effects and other health problems can impact their oral health. Senior dentistry is tailored to address these specific issues, closely monitoring a patient’s general health and medications in addition to their oral health to help ensure optimal health, wellness, and quality of life. Dental care for seniors focuses on maintaining good oral health in addition to proper oral function and comfort with preventative and restorative dental strategies to help seniors maintain their quality of life, facial structure, appearance, speech, and nutrition.
Dry mouth arises for varied reasons, including aging, disease, and medication. A dry mouth leads to declining saliva production, resulting in teeth becoming more susceptible to cavities. Dry mouth is also associated with health conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and Alzheimer’s.
Tooth sensitivity is caused by gum shrinkage, common in those with poor oral health, and is a natural consequence of aging. Gum shrinkage exposes the root of the tooth and makes it more susceptible to cavities.
In the October 2021 issue of JAMDA: The Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, a research team found that older adults who had lost more than one tooth had a 28% higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia.
Dental implants provide a long-term solution to replacing a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. They are strong and stable, functioning like a natural tooth. No more removing your teeth, slurring your speech or limiting your food choices.
To make sure seniors get the best care available, we deliver Guided Implant Surgery for predictable results, reduced surgical time, smaller incisions, less discomfort, and faster healing for the patient. We also offer Non-metal Zirconia Implants and Leukocyte Platelet Rich Fibrin therapy (L-PRF™) to boost the natural healing process.
Our advanced smile professionals take full advantage of the latest technology to make getting a crown faster, easier, and more effective. Traditional crowns previously required gunk-filled impressions, multiple visits to the dentist, and plastic temporary crowns. Today we can create and place your crown in the same day.
Our in-office CEREC device combines CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology with a specialized digital camera, advanced software and a precision milling machine allowing our experienced team to quickly create a natural-looking ceramic crown in one visit.
In addition to full and partial dentures, we can even deliver implant-retained dentures to give you a removable denture that snaps securely into place giving you amazing stability and restoring natural function.
Great Lakes Dental Membership Plans make excellent oral healthcare affordable for seniors without dental insurance. Without insurance, regular senior dental care typically exceeds $600 per year and periodontal maintenance treatment can be far more. We offer an affordable Great Lakes Healthy Plan and an affordable Great Lakes Periodontal Plan to help seniors get the care they need.
We have some helpful articles to help you understand senior dental care at Great Lakes Dental in Mentor, Ohio.