Canal Side Family Dental is a 42 North Dental Care, PLLC practice and is owned and operated by dentists Dr. Samuel Shames, DDM. and Dr. Ronald Weissman, DDM. Gentle Dental is supported by 42 North Dental, LLC, a dental support organization that provides non-clinical administrative and business support services to the practice. 42 North Dental, LLC does not own or operate the dental practice or employ dentists to provide dental services. Find more information about 42 North Dental, LLC and the dental practices it supports at 42northdental.com.
Thanks to advancements in modern medicine, it is common for people to live to be 80, 90, or even 100 years old. You may be considered a senior citizen, but you could still have many years ahead of you! Taking care of your smile can help you fully enjoy this special time of your life. Doing so may involve restorative procedures, but what about the aesthetic components of your smile? You might wonder if you are too old for cosmetic dentistry. The answer is no! In fact, there is no upper age limit on cosmetic services. In this blog post, we explore a few specific procedures that might be suitable for you.
Restorative Procedures
Before your dentist lets you move forward with services that are considered purely cosmetic, they will want to ensure that your mouth is relatively healthy. Therefore, they might recommend fillings, crowns, or even tooth replacement. In some cases, gum disease treatment is required.
Not only can restorative services optimize your oral function, but they can also have some significant cosmetic benefits. For example, implants can fill unsightly gaps in your smile, and crowns can reshape teeth that have been damaged or worn-down over the years.
Veneers or Bonding
Issues like small chips and cracks in teeth, minor misalignment, discoloration, and more are common among seniors. Veneers can help with such imperfections. They are custom-crafted pieces of porcelain that get attached to the teeth. They can cover multiple imperfections at once. Plus, they are durable enough to last for 10 – 15 years or longer.
As an alternative to veneers, you might choose dental bonding. The treatment process is faster and provides beautiful results. However, it is not as durable or long-lasting as veneers.
Teeth Whitening
It is normal and natural for teeth to incur stains over time, so it is common for older individuals to have noticeably yellow or dark 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, thereby leading to a brighter appearance.
Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry for Seniors
Enhancing your smile during your senior years can come with a number of benefits:
- You may look years younger — you might even feel younger, too!
- You may be more eager to participate in social situations, which is good for your physical and mental health.
- By replacing metal crowns and fillings with natural-looking alternatives, you may enjoy reduced dental sensitivity.
- Tooth replacement can make it easier to eat your favorite foods and possibly even support your jawbone health (if you opt for dental implants rather than regular dentures).
- Cosmetic treatment may motivate you to take excellent care of your mouth, which in turn could reduce your risk of serious infections, such as gum disease.
You are never too old to spruce up your smile! Talk to your dentist to find out which treatments might be right for you.
Meet the Practice
At Canal Side Family Dental, our team welcomes patients of virtually all ages. We offer both cosmetic and restorative services in a modern, comfortable environment. If you are curious about how you could enhance your smile, we would be pleased to consult with you. Contact our Buzzards Bay office at 508-375-3149.