How Emerging Technologies Are Impacting the Future of Dental Care for Aging Adults

Tele-dentistry and advanced imaging tools are revolutionizing dental care. These emerging technologies are making it easier for older adults to maintain their oral health.
Updated: August 19th, 2024
Beth Rush

Contributor

Beth Rush

How much time do you think about oral health? Probably not a lot. Many people focus on oral health when they have visible problems like bad breath, toothache, or gum issues. Preventative care often takes a backseat.

However, this lack of attention until a problem exists can cause problems, especially as you age. Technology is transforming how we care for our oral health. Disruptive innovations, like artificial intelligence, simplify dental hygiene and care for older family relatives who find it challenging because of mobility limitations. Learn how technology is changing the future of dentistry for older adults.

What Is the Biggest Challenge in Dental Care for Aging Adults?

You may find it easy to care for your teeth now, but do you actually floss as much as you should? As you get older, this can change. You might notice your older family members struggling with routine tasks, including dental care and regular visits to the dentist.

Several reasons prevent older people from accessing essential dental services. One is the consequences of aging.

Aging can limit mobility and function, turning simple tasks like tooth brushing into daily challenges. The decline in physical ability among older adults is a major factor that often prevents them from maintaining their hygiene or visiting the dentist regularly.

A survey found that one in four adults aged 65 and older hadn't received dental care for over two years since the pandemic began. Neglecting oral care can lead to minor gum issues developing into serious problems that require extensive and expensive treatment.

How Is Technology Changing the Future of Dentistry for Older Adults?

The adoption of technology has overturned aspects of oral health for older people. Learn its benefits and how it has overcome care barriers.

Greater Access to Care

Have you heard of tele-dentistry? It has removed many of the barriers to accessing dental care. Much like telehealth, you or your older relatives can now consult with a dentist through video calls using a phone, tablet, or laptop. This shift from in-clinic visits to virtual consultations has been especially helpful during the COVID-19 virus crisis when stricter stay-at-home measures were in place for older adults due to their higher risk of infection.

Virtual oral care is equally beneficial for older people living in remote areas where the need for long-distance travel is imperative. Post-pandemic, tele-dentistry continues to become a powerful tool for patients and doctors to connect for check-ups, hygiene advice, and oral education.

Virtual oral care, or tele-dentistry, is a modern approach to dental care that allows patients to receive consultations, assessments, and some treatments remotely, using digital communication tools like video calls, messaging, and online platforms.

How Tele-dentistry Works:

  1. Initial Consultation:
    • Someone can schedule a virtual appointment with a dentist via a teledentistry platform, app, or through a dentist's office that offers these services.
    • During the scheduled time, the patient and dentist connect through a video call using a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
  1. Assessment and Diagnosis:
    • The dentist can visually inspect the patient's teeth, gums, and mouth using the camera on the patient's device.
    • Patients may be asked to describe symptoms, take pictures of their oral concerns, or use a mirror to assist the dentist in viewing specific areas.
    • Based on the visual inspection and the patient's description, the dentist can diagnose certain conditions, recommend treatments, or determine if an in-person visit is necessary.
  1. Treatment Planning:
    • After the assessment, the dentist may prescribe medications, recommend over-the-counter products, or provide guidance on home care for minor issues.
    • If more extensive treatment is required, the dentist will refer the patient to an in-person visit with their own practice or a local dental office.
  1. Follow-Up Care:
    • Tele-dentistry also allows for follow-up appointments to monitor the progress of treatment or recovery from a procedure without requiring an in-person visit.
    • Patients can ask questions, report changes, or seek advice through the same virtual platform.

Tele-dentistry is not a complete replacement for in-person dental care, especially for procedures that require physical intervention, but it offers a valuable supplement to traditional services.

Accurate and Painless Procedures for Dental Appliances

Technology has altered the way dentists care for their patients. For instance, the use of digital impressions has revolutionized prosthodontics.

Everyone knows the traditional process for imprinting oral structures is uncomfortable and time-consuming. The process goes like this — the dentist puts a tray with putty-like dental impression material over your teeth, gives it a minute to solidify and sends it to a dental laboratory where a technician creates the cast. The process takes days to complete.

Digital impressions use high-tech scanners to capture intraoral data and accurate 3D pictures of your teeth — no more gag reflex, unpleasant taste or discomfort associated with removing traditional impressions. They're more accurate and precise than conventional means. Their use offers a faster turnaround time for restorations since dentists can instantly send the scanned oral structures to a technician. The overall process is convenient, quick and patient-centered.

3D printing has also simplified how dentists fabricate personalized dental products, like aligners and crowns.

Early and Precise Diagnosis of Oral Problems

Precision is crucial in detecting oral issues, and advanced tools now allow dentists to do so with remarkable accuracy. Dentists can utilize various devices to identify mouth care problems in their early, more treatable stages.

By the time you reach 60 or 80, you may experience enamel erosion, gum recession, and dry mouth—a condition affecting 10% to 26% of men and 10% to 33% of women.

Intraoral cameras provide dentists with enhanced visibility of your oral structures, allowing them to detect minor cavities or early signs of demineralization that might be missed with a traditional mouth mirror. These tools enable early detection and intervention for issues like reduced salivary flow or enamel loss, helping to prevent them from developing into more serious health problems.

Enhanced Preventive Care and Treatment Outcomes

Outcomes consequently improve due to precise diagnoses and procedures using modern innovations. Imaging techniques like digital X-rays and 3D scans can capture detailed images of teeth surfaces and spot problematic areas. Dentists can give individualized preventive and treatment care advice.

Regenerative Dentistry

Another groundbreaking way technology is changing the future of dentistry for older adults is through regenerative dentistry. It uses tissue engineering to simulate new bones in the mouth. The idea that older people can regrow healthy teeth again is something unthinkable before, but not anymore. When treatment becomes marketable, aging teeth may be a lesser issue.

Toregem Biopharma, a startup company in Japan, has developed an antibody drug targeting a specific protein inhibiting tooth growth. Animal tests have shown promising results by stimulating tooth buds in the jaw that later on form new teeth. The Phase 1 clinical trial on 30 healthy male adults is ongoing. If successful, it will reach Phase 2 in 2025 and be available for everyone in 2030.

Streamlined Administrative Processes

Oral health modernization has streamlined several administrative processes. Patients can book their appointments online or via an app. Alternatively, dental staff can confirm schedules, file for billing, communicate, send appointment reminders, and keep records on one platform that's also accessible to the patient.

Oral Cancer Treatment Breakthrough

CRISPR-Cas9 is a technology that allows scientists to edit the genes of living organisms. Its application in dentistry addresses the many shortcomings of existing oral cancer treatments. With this disruptive innovation, dentists can identify specific genetic vulnerabilities contributing to oral cancer and do many things to prevent and treat the condition.

For example, they can develop therapies that selectively target malignant cells while protecting healthy tissue. As you know, chemotherapy — the default cancer treatment — kills fast-growing cancer cells but also destroys healthy ones as a side effect. 

Some cancer cells develop resistance to medications, which results in treatment failure. This technology can inactivate genes in cell lines, causing this drug tolerance. CRISPR-Cas9 offers abundant potential for care providers to evade or treat cancer more effectively.

Disruptive Innovations at Every Dentist's Disposal

Dental medicine has a bright future because of these novel tools. Treatment of oral issues has become painless and convenient. Technology is changing the future of dentistry for older adults, who can now be assured of better treatment outcomes.

Top 10 Oral Health Issues for Those Over 60

As adults age, particularly those over 60, several oral health concerns become increasingly important to monitor:

1. Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)

Gum disease is common in older adults and can lead to tooth loss if not properly managed. It often starts with gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and can progress to more severe forms, affecting the bone that supports the teeth.

2. Tooth Decay and Cavities

The risk of cavities increases with age, particularly around the roots of the teeth as gums recede. Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene are essential to prevent decay.

3. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

Dry mouth is a prevalent issue in older adults, often caused by medications or underlying health conditions. Saliva is vital for maintaining oral health, as it helps neutralize acids and wash away food particles. A decrease in saliva production can lead to an increased risk of cavities, gum disease, and oral infections.

4. Tooth Wear and Enamel Erosion

Over time, the enamel on teeth can wear down due to years of chewing, grinding, and exposure to acidic foods and drinks. This can lead to increased sensitivity, a higher risk of cavities, and aesthetic concerns.

5. Oral Cancer

The risk of oral cancer increases with age. Regular dental exams that include oral cancer screenings are crucial, as early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes.

6. Receding Gums

Gum recession is a common issue in older adults, which can expose the roots of the teeth, leading to increased sensitivity and a higher risk of decay. Proper oral hygiene and regular dental care can help manage this condition.

7. Difficulty in Chewing and Eating

Loss of teeth, ill-fitting dentures, or other dental issues can make chewing and eating difficult, which may lead to poor nutrition. Ensuring proper dental care and seeking adjustments to dentures or other dental appliances is important for maintaining overall health.

8. Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Persistent bad breath can be a sign of underlying oral health issues such as gum disease, dry mouth, or infections. Addressing the root cause is important for both oral health and social interactions.

9. Bone Loss (Osteoporosis) and its Effect on Oral Health

Osteoporosis can affect the bones in the jaw, leading to tooth loss or poor fitting of dentures. Maintaining bone health through diet, exercise, and medical care is important for preserving oral health.

10. Medication Side Effects

Many older adults take multiple medications that can affect oral health, including causing dry mouth or affecting taste. Being aware of these side effects and discussing them with your dentist can help mitigate their impact on your oral health.

Don't Overlook Oral Health for Older Family Members

If you have loved ones who are older, be sure they are addressing their oral health, even if they live in a long-term care facility like assisted living.

Ignoring oral health can lead to serious complications, including infections, difficulty eating, and a decline in quality of life. Family members should advocate for regular dental check-ups, cleanings, and necessary treatments to prevent issues like gum disease, tooth decay, and dry mouth, which are common among the elderly.

Be sure to communicate with the staff at the long-term care facility to ensure that daily oral hygiene practices are consistently followed, including brushing, flossing, and the use of any prescribed oral care products.

Family involvement in monitoring and supporting oral health is crucial in preventing minor issues from turning into major health problems. Regularly discussing oral health concerns with the facility's staff and a dental professional can help ensure the oral health and overall well-being of your older family members.

At the same time, it's important to focus on your own oral health and plan for your future needs as you age.

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