Be a Super Senior with These 3 Restorative Dentistry Procedures

restorative dentistry for seniors dr michael j wei nyc dentistReaching senior status is an achievement. You’ve lived through so many decades and experienced so many things – and your teeth have been there for the entire ride. As such, your oral health may be breaking down because of wear and tear, illness, or poor dental care. It’s never too late to be your best self. With targeted restorative dentistry treatments, your smile can beautifully represent the amazing age and wisdom you have reached.

1. Full-Mouth Reconstruction

Worn out teeth make themselves known in many ways. You may have worn tooth enamel, suffer from mouth pain and soreness, experience broken and chipped teeth, have difficulty eating, or experience altered speech. Patients who are dealing with one or more of these problems often qualify for full-mouth reconstruction.

The most important thing to know is that whatever issues you’re experiencing with your oral health, there is a solution for them. From gum disease treatment to tooth extraction, TMJ treatment to dental bonding, neuromuscular therapy to cosmetic dentistry, your smile can be restored in form and function. Full-mouth reconstruction will be customized to your unique needs, and it will take time and patience to complete all the work, but ultimately, you will have teeth that look beautiful, work perfectly, and feed good too.

2. Dental Implants

When you are missing teeth, especially as an older adult, you may think that dentures are the only option for replacing those teeth. So you don’t do see your NYC dentist, because you don’t want to deal with adhesives and unreliable appliances. Enter dental implants, the permanent solution to missing teeth.

Implants can be used to replace just one or two missing teeth, or they can be combined with a permanent denture to replace an entire arch of teeth. What’s most important is filling in the holes in your smile. If you’re worried about looking older than you are, neglecting to replace missing teeth guarantees that, eventually, your face will change shape and compress, adding years to your age. Implants stimulate the jawbone, keeping it healthy and strong so your appearance is not altered by your oral health.

3. Tooth-Colored Fillings

If you’re of a certain age, then you’re from a generation where silver amalgam fillings were the norm for repairing decayed or damaged teeth. As a result, you’re very likely living with multiple oral health issues now.

Not only are silver fillings unsightly and highly noticeable, over time they can create problems when they were intended to be a solution. The toxic mercury that silver fillings contain is dangerous for overall wellness, and the color of the filling can eventually turn the treated tooth and even the surrounding gums an unhealthy color. Amalgam fillings are also known to expand, which can break the tooth in which the filling is placed.

Tooth-colored fillings correct all these problems. Composite fillings are color-matched to your tooth enamel so they blend in. Whether they’re replacing an old silver filling or fixing a new dental problem, they will always look natural instead of highlighting a dental issue.

Do You Need Restorative Dentistry?

Senior status is privileged status. Give yourself the gift of a healthy, beautiful smile at any age. Find out what kind of restorative dentistry procedures are right for you by submitting a Smile Virtual request online or scheduling a consultation with Manhattan restorative dentist Dr. Michael J. Wei.