In Houston and Memorial City, Texas

Bunker Hill Dentistry is proud to offer compassionate geriatric care to Houston’s senior population. 

We offer our full suite of comprehensive dental services–preventative, restorative, and cosmetic–to those 65 and older, with special consideration and concern for our elderly patients. 

With early morning appointments available and sensitivity for all financial situations, we welcome the opportunity to resolve issues of tooth decay, missing teeth, dry mouth, and more.   

 

Dental Challenges Faced by Seniors

Compared with other demographics, many seniors face challenges that can make maintaining good oral health a constant battle. 

For example, arthritis pain in the hands can make a toothbrush tough to hold, and toothpaste difficult to squeeze out of the tube. 

Dry mouth is also a very common concern in seniors, as upwards of 500 medications–many of which are commonly taken by seniors–list the condition as a side effect. 

Even time itself causes problems, as teeth wear down and gums recede with day after day of usage. 

Simply getting to the dentist for a checkup can be an issue for many seniors due to lack of transportation, mobility issues, and other hurdles. Nearly one-fourth of seniors 65 and up have not visited a dentist within the last five years, according to the National Institutes of Health

 

Dental Issues that May Arise for Seniors

Aging doesn’t have to lead to dental problems; in fact, with better education and healthier oral habits, seniors are retaining more of their teeth than ever before. 

Still, the average number of teeth in a person over 65 years of age is just under 19 (out of a possible 32). 

In addition to dry mouth and tooth loss, common dental issues seen in seniors include:

  • tooth decay (the most prevalent chronic disease in seniors) 
  • gum disease
  • stained/discolored teeth
  • chips, breaks, and general wear
  • problems associated with tooth loss such as teeth misalignment, difficulty chewing, biting, and speaking, grinding, resorption, jaw joint pain, etc.

 

Find Comprehensive Treatments at Bunker Hill Dentistry

We offer seniors all the services they need to get their smiles back…

 

Preventive Dentistry with Regular Exams and Cleanings

Seniors need to visit the dentist at least as often as other age groups: twice per year. 

During your visit we will thoroughly clean your teeth while checking for:

  • signs of tooth decay
  • signs of infection in the gums
  • issues in the tongue or inner cheeks
  • issues with your salivary glands and lymph nodes
  • signs of clicking or popping in the jaw
  • bite misalignment
  • signs of oral or skin cancer

Preventive dentistry may be even more important for elderly patients on fixed incomes, as regular checkups can lower your risk of major medical issues–and thus major expenses–down the road. 

 

Lasting Solutions for Tooth Loss

Elderly woman with dentures

Based on your preferences and circumstances, we can provide you with any one of the three main treatments for missing teeth:

Dentures: We can replace several teeth or all of your teeth with removable “false teeth” with pink plastic gums. Advancements in technology have made dentures more comfortable to wear and a great option for seniors with missing teeth. 

Implants: These are a potentially permanent tooth-loss solution that involves embedding a false tooth in your jaw by a titanium post. Dr. Le is an implant specialist who can use this innovative technique to resolve anything from a single missing tooth to an entire row of lost teeth. 

Bridges: If you have some healthy teeth, a bridge can be made and installed in two easy dental visits to replace one missing tooth or several consecutive missing teeth. A bridge is a false tooth or teeth (color-matched to your other teeth) that is/are anchored in place by your healthy teeth.  

Learn about all your options for tooth replacement.

 

Our Restorative Dentistry Treatments

If you have teeth that are damaged and/or unsightly, we can work with what’s there to produce a tooth that looks beautiful and functions well. 

Or, if your old restorations need replacing or upgrading, we can happily handle that as well.

Common restorations for seniors include:

Fillings: With cavities so prevalent in seniors, fillings are an extremely common and simple procedure to address tooth decay that hasn’t advanced too far. Either tooth-colored composite resin, porcelain, gold, silver, or another material is placed in the crevices to prevent further damage and associated pain. 

Crowns: Also known as “caps,” crowns are a tooth covering cemented onto the tooth that can preserve a fractured tooth, support a dental bridge, obscure tooth discoloration, and other helpful applications. 

Veneers: If you have issues with yellowing teeth or other concerns with your teeth’s appearance, veneers offer an affordable, fast way to transform your smile. An ultra-thin porcelain shell that can last for 20 years or more is placed on your teeth in a pain-free procedure. 

Bonding: Bonding is a single-visit technique in which the dentist sculpts new “tooth” out of resin to correct gaps, chips, cavities, and more. Because bonding demands an artistic eye, using a dentist like Dr. Le is invaluable, especially for highly visible teeth. 

Learn more about restorative dentistry services at Bunker Hill Dentistry.

 

Our Cosmetic Dentistry Options

We know no matter their age, seniors still want to look their best. If your dental concern is primarily cosmetic, you don’t have to resign yourself to it. 

Let us restore your appearance with one of our cosmetic dentistry options. In addition to veneers and bonding (outlined above), we can provide teeth whitening service that is safer and more effective than a home whitening kit. 

See all the cosmetic services on offer at Bunker Hill Dentistry.

Why Bunker Hill Dentistry?
Dr. Le and Ann Le

Dr. Le and his wife and office manager Ann Le

Specialists – From tooth decay to dental implants, our team is highly skilled in the issues and treatments that often relate to seniors.

Serene setting – Our office is designed to provide a calm, relaxing environment to help put your mind at ease during treatment. Take a tour.

 Client satisfaction – We have one mission – total client satisfaction. “Care, Comfort, Convenience”  is our guarantee to every client. More about Bunker Hill Dentistry.

Bunker Hill Dentistry Lobby View

Reception room at Bunker Hill Dentistry

State of the art – We utilize the most advanced technology such as the i-CAT 3D x-ray machine, All-On-4® implants and an anesthesia-delivery wand, for faster and more accurate diagnosis and treatment.

 Conveniently located – Located in Memorial, just a short drive from Houston’s city center. Find us on the map.

Catering Dental Care to Your Needs

Seniors will find that Bunker Hill Dentistry delivers an experience that fits their stage of life perfectly. 

For example, we can tailor your sedation method to you to alleviate your fears so that you can take advantage of the best treatment option without worry. 

Our cutting-edge technology allows for less invasive procedures, which make for a shorter and easier recovery for you. 

Bunker Hill Dentistry Surgical Suite

Surgical Suite

i-CAT 3D Conebeam CT

i-CAT 3D Conebeam CT

 

We’ll also send you on your way with oral help for your daily life. Whether this means a prescription for artificial saliva to combat dry mouth or a recommendation for an electric toothbrush or water flosser to make your cleaning routine easier, we want to help you along your lifelong journey toward healthy teeth.   

We also work with you to provide dental care that fits your budget, since Medicare doesn’t cover most dental work. We also accept most PPO insurance plans. 

 

Schedule An Appointment or call 832-834-5281

Not been to Bunker Hill Dentistry before? To help you prepare for your first visit, read our new patient information page.