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Introduction
Geriatric dentistrydeals with delivery of dental care
to the elderly citizen. It is concerned with diagnosis,
prevention and treatment of dental problems
associated with normal aging.
The elderly require a different approach, modified
treatment planning, and knowledge of how the
tissue changes associated with senescence affect
oral health service.
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Definitions
Gerodontology orGerodontics: The branch of dentistry that deals
with the oral health problems of the older people.
Geriatric Dentistry: The provision of dental care for adult persons
with one or more chronic debilitating, physical or mental illness with
associated psychosocial problems. (D.C.N.A. 1989, Jan)
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CLASSIFICATIONS
The youngold (65-74 years) -Can live life
independently.
The middle old (75-84 years)/ frail elderly -Live in
community with support.
The old old (85 & above) -Dependent on community
completely for survival.
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According to Heartwell-
Those who are well preserved emotionally and
physiologically.
Those who are really aged and chronically ill.
Those who fall between these two extremes.
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According to psychologic
reactionsto aging process -
Realists - They are philosophical and exacting, enjoy their
old age.
Resenters - Indifferent and hysterical types, will not listen
to the advice, neglect oral hygiene & rarely seek dental
care.
Resigned - In between group. Vary in emotional and
systemic status.
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Communucation with geriatric
patients
Communication is essential because it is an act of sharing. It is
participation in a relationship involving a deep understanding of
the patient. Dentists are considered to be masters of technical skills,
able to provide quick solutions to problems best solved through
patiently and effectively communicating with patients.
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Benefits of effectivecommunication
Patient may disclose more information
Enhances patient satisfaction
Builds rapport between patient & professional involved in
decision making
Leads to more accurate diagnosis
Better patient adherence to treatment
Patient more open to seeking further care
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Age & Nutrition
1. To establish a balanced diet which is consistent with
the physical, social, psychological and economic
background of the patient.
2. To provide temporary dietary supportive treatment,
directed towards specific goals such as caries control,
postoperative healing, or soft tissue conditioning.
3. To interpret factors peculiar to the denture age group
of patients, which may relate to or complicate nutritional
therapy.
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Factors contributing tonutritional
problems in the elderly are-
I. Oral
1. Changes in ability to chew food
2. Changes in taste and smell
3. Drug induced xerostomia
Il. Physical
1. Changes in ability to absorb and utilize nutrients
2. Changes in ability to metabolize nutrients
3. Changes in energy requirements and activity
4. Effects of medication on appetite and nutrient absorption and utilization
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Physiological factors: Witha decline in lean body mass
in the elderly,
caloric needs decrease and risk of falling increases.
Vitamin D deficiency
malabsorption of food-bound vitamin B12.
Zinc and vitamin B6 deficiency
Dehydration
Overt deficiency of several vitamins is associated with
neurologica and/or behavioral impairment B1 (thiamin),
B2, niacin, B6 , B12, foliate acid, vitamin C and vitamin E.
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Psychosocial factors:
Elders,particularly at risk, include those living alone,
the physically handicapped with insufficient care,
the isolated, those with chronic disease and/or
restrictive diets, reduced economic status and the
oldest old.
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Pharmacoligical factors:
Mostelders take several prescription and
over-the counter medications daily.
Prescription drugs are the primary cause
of anorexia, nausea, vomiting,
gastrointestinal disturbances, xerostomia,
taste loss and interference with nutrient
absorption and utilization. These
conditions can lead to nutrient
deficiencies, weight loss and ultimate
malnutrition.
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Tooth’s structure changes-
The enamel:
Attrition,abrasion,erosion, abfration.
Dentin - Pathologic effect of dental
caries, abrasion,attrition or other
operative procedures cause variable
changes in dentin .Increased number of
dead tracts & sclerotic dentin
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Cementum -Thickness of
cementum is one of the criteria
to assess age of an individual.
Increase in thickness at the
root by 5 to 10 times with
age.Permeability decreases
with age.
Pulp –Decreased sensitivity to
stimuli and reduced blood
supply.
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PERIODONTIUM-
Decrease innumber of fibroblasts.
Decrease in collagen and elastic fiber content.
Decrease in organic matrix production.
Width of periodontal space increases with occlusal loading.
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Oral Mucosal Changes
EpithelialAtrophy :
Epithelial layers are less in number.
Mucosa, submucosa, connective tissue decrease in thickness.
Decrease in surface area of the oral mucosa.
Reduction in number of elastic fibers.
Decreased repair potential
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Tongue and tastesensation-
Number of taste buds decline with age.
At 70yrs, taste buds decrease to 1/6th of those present at the age of
20yrs.
Acuity of taste sensation is decreased because of depapillisation.
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Salivary Flow Changes
Xerostomia : Due to medication for gastric complaints,
depression,insomnia,hypertension, allergies, heart problems and
many other geriatric problems,Sjogren's syndrome, radiotherapy.
Decreased flow of saliva
Poor retention of denture
Poor taste sensitivity
Irritation of mucosa
Difficulty for bolus formation and deglutition
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Mastication anddeglutition:Masticatory ability is decreased in partially
or fully edentulous persons.
Changes in residual ridge:
Residual Ridge Resorption (RRR): A chronic, progressive, irreversible,
and cumulative process.
Definition: Reduction in the size of the bony ridge beneath the
mucoperiosteum.
Resorption Ratio: In edentulous individuals, the maxillary and
mandibular residual ridge resorption occurs at a 1:4 ratio.
Resorption in the edentulous maxilla is generally four times less than in
the mandible
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Skin Changes-
Wrinkles,puffiness and pigmentation.
Upper lip droops
Reduction in concavity and pout of the upper lip.
Flattened philtrum, deepened nasolabial grooves
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Treatment Planning
Assessmentof provisional treatment plan
Primary care
Definitive treatment plan
Secondary care
Tertiary care
Prevention and Maintenance
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ASSESSMENT OF OLDERADULT
Steps involved are:
1. Identification data.
2. Information source.
3. Medical history and physical evaluation.
4. Patient questionnaire.
5. Patient interview and summary.
6. Dental history and evaluation.
7. Chief complaint.
8. Extra and intra oral examination.
9. Diagnostic aids.
10.Prosthesis.
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Four possible treatmentplans
Fixed crown and bridge alone
Limited use of crown with partial denture
Overdenture
Total extraction and complete denture
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Primary care
Instantrelief of pain
Management of periodontal diseases
Identify and treat the causative factor for deterioration of oral
health
Treatment of active caries and basic restoration
Examination of TMJ
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Definitive treatment plan
Accurate assessment
Plan treatment
If necessary,revise initial treatment plan
Secondary care
Include Recontruction procedure-
Individual tooth
Occlusion
1.Comformative
2.Re-organised
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Tertiary care
Prevention: Oral hygiene instructions,
Flouride mouth washes
Monitoring : Regular recall
Check stability of restoration®
Minor occlusal adjustments
Maintenance : All restorations require to be
maintained(recurrent,marginal seal,cementing media)
Come at a time when disease develop or progress
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Treatment planning forpartially dentate
patients with good prognosis-
If prosthodontic replacement of teeth is required, the
majority receive removable partial dentures (RPDs) to
meet functional and aesthetic demands. Acrylic RPDs
often gain retention through extending over the soft
tissues or engaging with the embrasure spaces of
remaining teeth.
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RPDs constructedwith a cobalt-
chromium framework can be used to
minimize gingival coverage & ensure
that components do not encroach on
root surfaces.
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In additionto caries prevention strategies and conservative
management of cavities, this strategy also includes the use of resin-
bonded or cement-retained bridges to maintain shortened dental
arches where anterior teeth are missing. Resin-bonded bridges offer
a good treatment alternative to RPDs
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Glass fibre-reinforcedcomposite bridgework can also be used to
restore patients with a shortened dental arch. These functionally-
oriented treatment strategies aim to reduce the burden of
maintenance for older adults.
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Shortened dental arch
concept(SDA) -Kayser in 1981
Relevant for patient aged 50 -
80years
Provides sub optimal but acceptable
functionality
Anteriors and premolars are strategic
parts
Sufficient adaptive capacity - with 4
occluding units
One unit corresponds to a pair of
occluding premolars
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Advantages of SDA
Simplification of extensive restorative management
Easier maintenance
Good prognosis for remaining teeth
SDA is applicable to
Caries and periodontal disease confined to molars
Good long term prognosis for anteriors and premolars
Financial and other limitations to dental care
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Treatment planning forpartially edentulous
with poor prognosis
Immediate dentures - for appearance and function
Over dentures - retaining some roots prevent RRR improves
retention, comfortnand biting force
Retention highly compromised – Precision attachments
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Immediate Denture
Thegoal of Immediate Denture therapy is to maintain satisfactory
appearance & function during the post-extraction phase of
treatment.
Removable partial dentures can be used to replace mainly
posterior teeth in the first instance. After a suitable transitional
period, six months is usually sufficient, the clinician may convert the
transitional partial denture to a complete immediate replacement
denture.
Occasionally, it is possible to rebase the immediate replacement
dentures but,in most cases, new replacement complete dentures
would be required after 6-12 months.
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OVERDENTURES
One possiblealternative to complete tooth loss is the retention of a
number of strategically important teeth and the utilization of
overdentures.
Overdentures have proven to be very successful, especially in the
mandible where bone resorption can severely compromise denture
stability and retention.
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Treatment planning incompletely edentulous
patients-
1.Complete Denture
2.Implant supported denture-
-Used to stabilize complete removable prosthesis.
-Help to over come functional, psychological and
physiological consequences of edentulousness.
-Help to preserve alveolar bone and biting force.
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Challenges ofProsthodontic Treatment for Older Patients
• Tooth loss over time leads to dental arch disruption (drifting, tipping,
supraeruption).
• Resulting challenges include:
• Hygiene difficulties
• Periodontal problems
• Nonparallel abutments
• Food traps
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CONCLUSION
The treatmentoptions for geriatric patients is determined
by several factors such as the general health, nutritional
status, oral health status of the patient, the patient's
degree of cooperation, economic resources, knowledge
of the prosthodontist's judgment and technical skills.
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A 65-year-oldfemale patient reported with missing posterior teeth
and mobile teeth, requiring immediate replacement with a denture.
A primary impression was made, casts were duplicated, and a
tentative jaw relation was established to record the vertical
dimension at occlusion (VDO) .
A surgical stent was fabricated to guide alveoloplasty after the
removal of remaining teeth, and the patient was delivered with an
immediate complete denture on the same day of extraction and
alveoloplasty
Case Report
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Discussion
Interim Immediatedentures preserve esthetics, phonetics,
occlusion, and provide psychological support to the patient .
The technique involved fabricating a surgical guide for
alveoloplasty, aiding in modifying the ridges and maintaining ridge
shapes during the healing period .
Maintaining the existing vertical dimension at occlusion and centric
relation is fundamental for the success of removable prostheses
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Article Review
Title:Transitional Complete Denture – A Case Report
Author: Dr. R. Muthukeerthana
Journal: International Journal of Dentistry Research (2023)
Objective:
To describe a case of a 65-year-old female who received an immediate
complete denture following tooth extractions.
To highlight the benefits of preserving vertical dimension, esthetics, and
phonetics through immediate dentures.
Key Findings & Methodology
Case Summary:
Patient had generalized periodontitis with missing posterior teeth.
Immediate complete denture was fabricated to replace extracted teeth.
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Methodology
Primary Impression& Jaw Relation – Ensuring proper occlusion.
a.Marking & Extraction Strategy – Staged extraction plan.
b.Denture Fabrication & Alveoloplasty – Use of a surgical stent for
ridge shaping.
c.Post-op Adjustments & Follow-ups – Checked for retention,
stability, and sore spots. d.
Results
Improved facial height, phonetics, and function.
Healing observed, and a final denture was fabricated after 3
months
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Critical Analysis &Conclusion
Strengths:
✅ Provides a detailed step-by-step approach.
✅ Highlights the importance of preserving vertical dimension.
✅ Demonstrates how immediate dentures support esthetics and function.
Limitations:
❌ Long-term success and patient adaptation need further evaluation.
❌ No comparison with other treatment options (e.g., implant-supported
prosthetics).
Conclusion:
Immediate dentures offer a practical solution for edentulous patients.
Further research is needed on long-term stability and adaptation
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REFERENCES
Prosthodontic treatmentfor ednentulous patients, Boucher,
Eleventh edition.
Syllabus of complete denture prosthesis , Charles M. HeartWell
Essentials of complete denture prosthesis prosthodontics ,Sheldon
Winkler
Zarb - Bolender, Prosthodontic treatment for edentulous patient,
12th edition
Final Year Prosth: Lecture Notes 2024