Teeth becomer more brittle with age Denver dentistry

Teeth become more brittle with age

Mazaari et al in the Journal of Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials (2009) found that the dentin of the tooth becomes brittle and will fracture more easily as we age leading to a variety of dental problems.  Denver Dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp are seeing more and more fractures of otherwise health teeth as their patients age. These dental problems result in a variety of dental work including extraction of the tooth.

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Case study 

One of the doctors patient in his late 80's presented to the office with a molar (back tooth) fractured off at the gum line.  The tooth was not sensitive and the nerve of the tooth was not exposed due to its shrinkage as the patient aged.  The options available to this patient included but are not limited to:

• No treatment... it was not sore or sensitive
• Extraction of the tooth
• Extraction of the tooth and no treatment ...or a dental bridge or partial denture
• Extraction of the tooth... dental implant and dental implant crown
  
• Gum lengthening (periodontist)... a crown build up and a crown.
  

In this case the patient wants to keep the tooth but costs and prognosis need to be evaluated by the patient.  The tooth would need the following in order to be kept.

• Crown lengthening by a periodontist $ 1,000 or more
• A dental crown build up to help hold the crown on Approx $400
• A dental crown either porcelain fused to metal or gold $1200- 1500

As you can see in a short period of time this patient can spend a lot of money quickly.  The key is "he" needs to make a decision that fits his life's situation.  Our Denver Dentists will support any decision this patient makes. The key is to explore your options and make a decision based in the information we are able to provide  you.

Call our Denver dentists and make an appointment today

Please feel free to call our office at (303) 694-9740 for an appointment.  If you would like to send us an e-mail click the following link Dentistry in Denver.

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