At Core Dental we offer specialist denture and implant solutions for all our patients, including seniors.
Dentures for Seniors
Dentures are a treatment designed to replace missing teeth and as such they are similar to a bridge or an implant.
Adult teeth may be lost in any number of ways, including accidental trauma, infection or poor health of the surrounding gums. Replacing a tooth (or a series of teeth) that has been lost may have significant long-term functional benefits in terms of chewing, speaking clearly and maintaining good jaw health. From an aesthetic perspective, replacing missing teeth can improve the look of your smile by filling a space.
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Dental Implants for Seniors
Dental implants are the gold standard treatment to replace a missing tooth or a series of missing teeth. They are an alternative to a bridge or a fixed denture.
Adult teeth may be lost in any number of ways, including accidental trauma, infection or poor health of the surrounding gums. Replacing a tooth (or a series of teeth) that has been lost may have significant long-term functional benefits in terms of chewing, speaking clearly and maintaining good jaw health. From an aesthetic perspective, replacing missing teeth can improve the look of your smile by filling spaces. A dental implant is a titanium screw that is surgically inserted into the jaw bone.
Over time, the screw fuses with the underlying bone and behaves like the root of a natural tooth. A single dental implant can be used to support a porcelain crown, or multiple dental implants can support a bridge or a denture.
Learn MoreDentures should be replaced at least every five to seven years. Prosthetic teeth will wear down with daily use, affecting eating after this period of time.
Moreover, there can be changes to the gums, lips and cheeks over time (especially in women) and this becomes particularly noticeable after five years with the same denture.
We recommend that dentures be refitted and relined periodically throughout their life to counteract shrinkage of the gums, which will loosen their fit.
Partial denture
A partial denture can be made from one of three different materials: acrylic, metal or flexible resin.
- Acrylic is a rigid resin material. In dental prosthetics it is pink for the base and gums and tooth-coloured for the replacement teeth. The partial denture is often held in the mouth through the use of metal clasps that grip onto surrounding natural teeth. When in place, the metal clasps are partially or fully covered by your lips.
- Metal dentures are a premium product. They fit extremely well and are very comfortable to wear. The base of these dentures are made of a strong alloy containing cobalt and chrome, with pink acrylic used for the portion of the denture that replaces the gums. Metal clasps are attached to the metal base to assist in keeping the denture in place. A major advantage of using metal for the base is the ability to make it thin and therefore more comfortable against the soft tissues. Another design benefit over the acrylic variety is the provision of greater support by way of meticulous fit, which minimises impact on your existing teeth.
- Flexible resin dentures are pink in colour and are made using a flexible resin that makes them relatively easy to insert into the mouth. They come with clasps, which may be made out of the same pink flexible material. Flexible dentures usually do not last as long as acrylic or metal dentures but they may be a useful short-term option for patients requiring tooth replacement.
Full denture
A full denture is a pink acrylic denture that replaces all of the teeth in one or both jaws. This means that the denture rests on your gums and does not use clasps. For some patients, full dentures may need to be held in place with adhesive. Full dentures can be made either to look like an ideal dentition or to mimic your natural teeth. A little time is usually required to get used to eating and speaking with them.
Over-denture
An over-denture is a device that is made to fit over existing teeth or roots, or over dental implants. An advantage of over-dentures over full dentures is that the teeth or implants act as a secure anchor.
Immediate denture
An immediate denture is one that is prepared in advance of tooth extraction, then placed on the same day as the extraction procedure. This ensures that the patient does not spend any time without teeth. However, the immediate denture cannot fit as accurately as a denture made after teeth have been extracted. It can sometimes be made to fit well with with a reline, but in most cases it is used as a temporary denture, with a new one being made several months later.
At Core Dental your initial consultation as well as any aftercare and maintenance will take place with a general dentist, but a specialist will take care of all surgical components of your dentures treatment.
Implants are most suitable when there is adequate bone density in the underlying jaw to support them securely; otherwise, bone grafting surgery may be required to correct any deficiency.
Because dental implants offer control over length, width, alignment and shade of the replacement teeth, this option is generally recommended when aesthetics are a priority.
Dental implants may be unsuitable for patients with diabetes, or where the implant would likely contact the sinuses, or (as mentioned) in cases of inadequate bone density (osteopenia or osteoporosis). An oral & maxillofacial surgeon can generally assess all of these risks and advise on suitability.
Because of the surgical and technical complexity involved, dental implants are the most expensive tooth replacement option, so they may be unsuitable for patients who are price sensitive. For the same reason, we recommend seeking treatment only by a registered oral & maxillofacial surgeon.
Dental implants are made of titanium, as it is a biocompatible material, which is accepted by the body. It serves as a strong foundation for replacement teeth, with a high success rate and long lifespan.
Zirconia provides an alternative to titanium implants. A type of dental ceramic they have not been around for as long as titanium implants, but so far have proven to be quite durable.
The crowns attached to the implants are usually made of all ceramic or high-grade porcelain fused to precious metals such as gold.
Treatment with a single dental implant involves:
- A thorough investigation of your medical and dental health, assessment of bone density and the sinuses.
- Preparation of the area where the tooth is missing, followed by treatment of the surrounding gums to check that they are healthy.
- Placement of the titanium screw, over which the gum is generally allowed to heal for approximately two to three months.
- Surgical exposure of the implant and placement of a healing cap.
- The taking of impressions. At Core Dental we send these to a quality Melbourne laboratory to act as the blueprint for your dental crown, which is created by hand.
- Approximately two weeks later, removal of the healing cap and replacement with your new dental crown.
Over time, your dental implant will fuse with the surrounding bone, acting much like the root of a natural tooth.
At Core Dental your initial consultation as well as any aftercare and maintenance will take place with a general dentist, but a specialist will take care of all surgical components of your dental implant treatment.
Our general dentist:
Our specialist periodontists (specialists in gums and dental bone support)