Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, make up nearly a quarter of the entire United States population with approximately 76 members (PRB). People between the ages of 50 and 68 have higher life expectancies than past generations, and as the baby boomer generation continues to age, many dentists are noticing a shift in business.
With older adults staying in the workforce longer, many people have a greater interest in maintaining their appearance, which includes their smiles. Dentists across the country are noticing that baby boomers are investing in a particular set of procedures. Take a look at some of the top dental procedures to correct common dental problems in older adults.
Implants
According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 69% of adults between the ages of 35 and 44 have already lost at least one tooth (Dental Economics). The baby boomer generation is interested in maintaining their smile, and they’re not afraid to pay for it. Implant dentistry has seen a significant upturn in recent years, due to technological advances and the desire for an alternative to dentures.
An implant is surgically inserted into the jaw bone to simulate the root of a tooth. The screw-like, titanium implant is then covered with a crown. Implants function and look just like a natural tooth and don’t have the downfalls of traditional temporary dentures, such as a poor fit, slippage, and maintenance.
Tooth Restoration
Since one of the most common dental problems in older adults is tooth loss, tooth restoration in general is a very popular procedure among the baby boomer generation. While dental implants fall into this category, other procedures include dentures, bridges, and crowns. Dentures can be either semi-permanent, which implant anchors, or temporary. They are an affordable option to replace a full set of missing teeth. Bridges and crowns can be placed on top of damaged or broken teeth, or implants for a natural-looking restoration option. At Dr. Wolnik’s office, we utilize CEREC technology to create digitally rendered, high-strength ceramic tooth replacements.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
According to the CDC, approximately 64.7 million Americans over the age of 30 have periodontitis, the most advanced stage of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, affects so many older adults that treatment is naturally one of the top procedures among this age group. Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria builds up around the gum line in a person’s mouth. If not cleaned properly on a regular basis, these bacteria can begin to eat away at a person’s tooth. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause the teeth to become loose, and ultimately fall out.
Source – Inside Dentistry
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