Thanks to advancements in modern medicine, many people live to be 80, 90, or even 100 years old. Even if you are technically considered a senior citizen, you may still have decades of life in front of you! One thing you can do to make the most out of your golden years is take care of your smile. In many cases, that might involve both restorative and cosmetic dental procedures. But you might wonder if you are too old for cosmetic dentistry.
The answer is no! There is no upper age limit for cosmetic services. This blog post touches on some treatments that may help you to enjoy a more confident smile.
Restorative Procedures
Before your dentist approves you for any services that are considered purely cosmetic, they will want to make sure that your mouth is as healthy as possible. Therefore, they might recommend that you receive fillings, crowns, or even tooth replacement. In some cases, gum disease treatment is also necessary.
Not only can restorative services optimize your oral function, but they can also make you look better. In fact, they can look so natural that other people may not even know that you got some work done.
Veneers or Bonding
Issues like small chips, cracks, minor misalignment, discoloration, and more are common among seniors. Veneers can help with such issues. They are custom-crafted pieces of porcelain that get attached to the outward-facing surfaces of teeth. They can disguise a range of imperfections. Plus, they are durable enough to stand up to all the rigors of everyday eating, and they can last for 10 – 15 years or longer.
As an alternative to veneers, some patients choose dental bonding, which is a faster and simpler process. However, the results do not last as long as veneers.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth naturally incur stains over time, so it is common for older individuals to have noticeably yellow teeth. If that is true of you, you might be a candidate for professional whitening, which uses a powerful formula to break up unwanted pigment molecules within the teeth.
Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry for Seniors
Enhancing your smile can come with a number of benefits:
- You may be more eager to participate in social situations, which is good for your physical and mental health.
- You may look years younger — you might even feel younger, too!
- By replacing old metal crowns and fillings with natural-looking alternatives, you may enjoy reduced dental sensitivity.
- Tooth replacement can enhance your ability to eat your favorite foods and possibly even support your jawbone health (if you choose dental implants).
- Cosmetic treatment may motivate you to take excellent care of your mouth, which may reduce your risk of serious infections, such as gum disease.
You are not too old to enjoy a beautiful smile! Talk to your cosmetic dentist about your treatment options.
Meet the Practice
The team at All Dental is proud to welcome patients of virtually all ages into our practice. We individualize each person’s treatment plan with the goal of helping them achieve sound oral health and a confident smile. To learn more about the restorative and cosmetic treatment options that might be open to you, contact our Westborough office at 508-217-7265.