Gerontology P1 Flashcards
What is geriatric dentistry?
The study of physiological age-related changes and the management of age-related diseases and changes in the oral region.
What is geriatric dentistry?
It focuses on addressing the dental needs of the growing elderly population, who require more care to maintain dental health.
What factors contribute to the increased demand for dental care in the elderly?
The rising elderly population and improvements in dental health, leading to more people retaining their teeth.
How has edentulism changed over time in older adults?
In 2001, only 10% of adults were edentulous compared to 25% in 1983.
What is the percentage of people aged 75 and older in 2001?
22% of the population was aged 75 years or older.
How does tooth form change with age?
Teeth undergo wear and attrition, losing structural details and altering light reflection, which changes their appearance.
What is a common color change in aging teeth?
Yellowing and loss of translucency are common as teeth age.
What causes brittleness and fractures in aging teeth?
Increased brittleness of tooth substance and apical migration of soft tissue attachment.
How does soft tissue attachment change with age?
There is progressive apical migration, leading to root exposure and reduced bony support.
What changes occur in enamel with age?
Enamel becomes less permeable and more brittle due to ion exchange mechanisms.
What is enamel maturation?
The process where enamel decreases in permeability over time.
How do fluoride levels in enamel change with age?
Fluoride levels in enamel increase over time, but these changes are not permanent.
Why does enamel become more brittle with age?
Changes in the enamel matrix make it more brittle as it ages.
How do ion exchange mechanisms affect enamel?
They regulate changes in enamel, contributing to reduced permeability and increasing brittleness.
