Cosmetic Dentistry Options for Older Adults

cosmetic dentistry for older adults - older woman smiling in dentist's chair

Cosmetic Dentistry Options for Older Adults

From discoloration to chips and cracks, the appearance of your teeth can change a lot over time. Fortunately, there’s no age limit when it comes to improving your smile. There are plenty of cosmetic dentistry options available for older adults. Here are some common cosmetic dental procedures that can help you achieve a brighter smile and boost your confidence. 

Six Cosmetic Dentistry Options for Older Adults

1: Teeth Whitening

Enamel erosion, smoking, drinking coffee and red wine, and the natural course of aging can all make teeth look dull and discolored over time. While you can choose a whitening toothpaste or a store-bought whitening kit to brighten your teeth, professional whitening is far more effective. 

There are even professional at-home whitening kits that will make your smile shine brighter and last longer than over-the-counter treatments. Professional teeth whitening is safe and effective for seniors and younger adults alike. 

Although crowns and fillings can be stained, they can’t be whitened. You’ll need to have any visible restorations replaced after a professional whitening treatment, so that they match the new color of your teeth.

2: Porcelain Veneers

Seniors with a chipped, cracked, irregularly shaped, or discolored tooth can benefit from porcelain veneers to fix those imperfections. Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are attached to the front of a tooth. They are shaped and colored to blend seamlessly with your smile, and also function like your natural teeth. Even though they’re very thin, veneers are very durable, and will last around seven years or more. 

3: Cosmetic Bonding

If you have a cracked, chipped, or fractured tooth, cosmetic bonding can transform your smile. Cosmetic bonding restores teeth by filling imperfections with tooth-colored composite resin. 

Cosmetic bonding uses the same material used in composite fillings, which don’t stand out like the silver amalgam fillings of the past. On average, cosmetic bonding lasts around five years with good oral hygiene. 

4: Dentures

If you have missing teeth, there are several restorative options available that will improve the appearance of your smile. One option is removable dentures, which can replace multiple missing teeth (partial dentures) or a complete set of upper or lower teeth (full dentures). 

Full and partial dentures are custom designed to fit comfortably in your mouth, and they are colored to match your remaining teeth so that your smile will look natural. Removable dentures can last up to ten years with proper care.  

5: Fixed Bridge

Another tooth replacement option for seniors with one or more missing teeth is a fixed bridge. A dental bridge is made up of two or more crowns, along with a false tooth (or teeth) called a pontic. 

The pontic fills the gap left by the missing tooth, and is attached to crowns that are placed over the existing teeth on either side of the gap, fixing the bridge in place. Fixed bridges are sturdier than dentures, and they also last longer, with a lifespan of 10 years or more. However, they’re more expensive as well. 

6: Dental Implants

The most stable and long-lasting solution (but also the most expensive) for missing teeth is dental implants. Placing a dental implant involves surgically planting a titanium post in your jaw. The post fuses with your jawbone and stimulates the bone just like a tooth root, which prevents bone deterioration. 

After the jaw heals from implant surgery, a crown is attached to the post. The end result is a smile that looks and feels as natural as possible. As long as you take care of your teeth, dental implants should last a lifetime. 

Cosmetic Dentist in Sun Lakes, Arizona

Are you looking to transform your smile? At Dr. Saba and Associates, we help seniors in Sun Lakes improve their smiles with a variety of cosmetic dental procedures. We’ll examine your mouth and discuss the best options for restoring your smile in the most natural-looking and affordable way. Give us a call at 480-895-2111 today to schedule a consultation. 

 

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (1/3/2023). Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels