It is acknowledged that our population is ageing and keeping their natural teeth longer, and along with this, there is an increasing expectation by patients that they will retain their natural dentition into their senior years.
Unfortunately, the presenting dentition and oral environment in some older adults are frequently sub-optimal. Consequently, a range of adaptable oral health management strategies is required to help address the various dental demands and clinical situations.
Individualised restorative management protocols that provide pragmatic outcomes and take into consideration the persons abilities and tolerance, and may need to be less invasive and less costly, are frequently required. This presentation will focus on the preservation and restoration of tooth structure and how in general dental practice we can assist our patients to retain, and where necessary, restore their teeth to ensure an ongoing healthy, functional and aesthetic dentition.
A range of traditional, and not so traditional, approaches to restorative management of the ageing dentition will be presented and discussed, and will demonstrate that contrary to popular belief, minimally invasive conservative restorative management can demonstrate good aesthetic and functional longevity.
The ultimate goal is to optimise oral and dental health, and thereby enhance overall general health, and enable the elderly to enjoy living a healthy, happy, dignified and active independent life while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the dentition.