Geriatric Dentistry

Our Services

As the years go by, natural changes can increase your risk of a host of oral health concerns. Our experienced prosthodontist and team at Parker Prosthodontics provide comprehensive services customized to the needs of older adults, ensuring they enjoy a lifetime of bright and healthy smiles. Contact our Dallas practice to learn more about our tailored smile solutions.

What Are the Special Oral Health Needs of Patients in Their Senior Years?

Older adults are often prone to developing a range of dental problems, including the following:

Periodontal Disease:Older adults are often at a higher risk of periodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to gum recession, bone loss, and even tooth loss.
Dry Mouth: Medications to manage age-related health concerns often cause dry mouth as a side effect, elevating the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease.
Tooth or Root Decay: Older adults often develop tooth decay at the gum line or the tooth root surfaces, especially those with gum recession.
Teeth Darkening: Tooth enamel wear, changes in the dentin, and years of consuming dark foods and beverages can lead to dark, discolored teeth.
Tooth Sensitivity: Gum recession or tooth enamel wear can lead to tooth sensitivity, resulting in discomfort when eating cold or hot foods.
Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is common among adults, leading to loss of bone density, which can result in loose teeth and even tooth loss.
Tooth loss: Tooth loss can result from periodontal disease, deep decay, or years of wear and tear, impacting a patient's ability to eat, speak, or smile.

The Link Between Oral and Systemic Health

Maintaining your oral health goes beyond a beautiful smile. Studies have uncovered a significant connection between periodontal disease and serious health concerns, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and more. Continuing to seek regular preventive dental care can contribute to better overall health.

What Dental Services Do Older Adults Commonly Need?

Here are some of the services we may recommend to keep you smiling your best for years to come:

Preventive Care: We are pleased to offer comprehensive preventive services, including regular dental exams and cleanings, oral cancer screenings, and fluoride treatments. We emphasize the importance of prevention and early intervention to help you maintain long-term healthy smiles. Keeping dental problems from developing or progressing can help keep your natural teeth healthy and sound and prevent the need for extensive treatments down the road.

Dental Prosthetics: We offer a range of tooth restoration solutions to enhance your smile or quality of life. From complete and partial dentures to dental crowns and bridges and dental implant restoration, we have the perfect solution to complete your smile. Choosing a prosthodontist to rebuild damaged or missing teeth ensures the best possible outcomes. As specialists with advanced training focused on restoring and replacing missing or deficient teeth, prosthodontists are the best-equipped dental professionals to handle the most complex challenges, enhancing your smile's health, function, and appearance.

Periodontal Care: Periodontal disease is a progressive condition that is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. If we uncover signs of gum inflammation or infection, we may recommend a deep dental cleaning known as scaling and root planing. Scaling involves gently removing plaque and tartar that have built up on your gum line and between your teeth. When it comes to root planing, we will thoroughly clean your tooth root surfaces and smooth out any rough areas. After treatment, we typically recommend visits every 3 to 4 months to monitor your gum health and intervene, when needed, to keep your smile as healthy as possible.