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FAQs - Dental Information For Seniors

Q. Why do teeth seem to darken as people age?

A. Teeth may seem darker because plaque can build up faster and in larger amounts as one ages. Changes in dentin can cause teeth to appear a little darker as well.

Q. Why do some seniors lose their sense of taste?

A. Seniors tend to lose their sense of taste because age decreases the sense of taste and smell. Certain diseases, medications, and dentures also can contribute to a decreased sense of taste.

Q. Should seniors be worried about cavities?

A. Yes. The majority of seniors have tooth-root decay and are more susceptible to cavities.

Q. What is root decay?

A. Over time, tooth enamel can wear away in the crowns of teeth and around the tooth roots. Receding gums expose the roots, making them more prone to decay.

Q. What makes seniors more cavity-prone?

A. Seniors are more prone to root decay and gum recession. Additionally, many seniors have "dry mouth" (caused from medications or medical conditions), which increases the risk of cavities. Some also may have difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene due to physical limitations.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Avoiding Conventional Partial Dentures and False Teeth

Precision and semi-precision partial dentures, like conventional partial dentures, replace missing natural teeth with artificial teeth. However, the means by which they are retained in the mouth is different than a conventional clasp prosthesis.

To better understand these partial dentures types, it is best to first review the basics of conventional partial denture clasps.

How Conventional Partial Denture Clasps Function

Most partial dentures are usually kept in place by clasps. These are thin finger-like projections of special resilient metal alloy, or, in certain cases, plastic or plastic-like materials.

• Clasps rest on and around certain remaining natural teeth so that their ends extend into narrow areas below a gentler bulge on the tooth. Sometimes it is necessary to shape a tooth or make a crown for a tooth or teeth in order to develop the right amount and relationship of undercut and bulge for retention.
• When a partial denture is placed in the mouth, clasps gently spring over a tooth bulge and rest in a relaxed state within an undercut.
• A partial dentures are held in place during normal eating, speaking and other activities because clasps resist springing back over tooth bulges.
• Clasp resistance to removal is not great enough to prevent a person from comfortably removing their partial denture whenever they choose.

The Problem With Conventional Denture Clasps

Despite numerous successful conventional clasp designs, they do have some drawbacks.

• Clasps may at times become visible. Often, this is unavoidable and usually is not objectionable. However, for some individuals, the show of clasps is simply not acceptable because of personal circumstances and compromised appearance.
• Certain partial false teeth may function better with retentive means other than conventional clasps.
• Remaining natural tooth structures may be inadequate to accommodat conventional clasps. Therefore, dental crown or crowns may need to be fabricated to correct these deficiencies.

Semi-Precision and Precision Partial Dentures -- Viable Alternatives

Alternatives to conventional clasp partial dentures fall into two categories, both of which have no clasps to show.

• Semi-precision partial dentures are retained in the mouth by means of mechanical interlocking components. A specially-shaped extension of the partial denture fits into or onto a complementary receiving area or projection of a natural tooth that has been crowned.
  The components fit snugly and consist of a semi-rigid metal-to-other-surface interface, which may also be metal or some other resilient material such as nylon.
• Precision partial dentures are similar to the semi-precision type except that the mechanical interlocking components are manufactured to extremely high tolerances and are held together by precise alignment and a rigid metal-to-metal frictional interface of components.

Advantages of Semi-Precision and Precision Partial Dentures

• A cosmetically-enhanced partial denture as compared to conventional partial dentures
• No show of metal clasps
• Blends in with the conformity of remaining natural teeth
• Functions with a more even pressure on remaining natural teeth than conventional partial dentures

Disadvantages of Semi-Precision and Precision Partial Dentures

• Semi-precision partial dentures are the most costly to fabricate
• Usually some natural teeth need to be crowned
• More difficult to fabricate and adjust
• Some components may need periodic replacement

Which Type of Partial Denture Is Best?

Every patient has unique oral health needs that are best determined by a licensed dentist after a thorough examination.

by Joseph J. Massad, D.D.S.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.