Mobile Dental Services for Homebound Geriatric Patients
Denture Fabrication
Need new dentures? Have loose dentures, or dentures that don’t fit right? Are your dentures broken, or has a tooth fallen off?
We provide personable and professional in home dental care to examine, fix, or fabricate dentures.
Denture Repair
If denture adhesives are no longer doing the trick, a denture reline may be the answer to your prayers. Our Dentists use a special kind of material that does not cause sores and many people feel like it’s a brand new denture. If the teeth are old and look fake, you may want a new denture, but if the esthetics are fine a reline is a great way to tighten the dentures. We also recommend a reline over a new denture or set of dentures for the very old and frail as getting used to a new prosthesis may be too difficult (therefore out of the question). For those 90 and above a reline may be the best option.
We can also adjust the metal clasps on partial dentures to tighten the denture. Please do not try this yourself! You may do it incorrectly and the denture may not fit at all back in the mouth.
We operate 100% within the comfort of the patient’s home throughout the entire process.
Dental Exams
We will perform a comprehensive on-site assessment to identify whether or not your loved one is suffering from root decay, gum disease, tooth loss, or denture induced stomatitis.
Are your loved one’s dentures fitting correctly? Unfortunately, it can be extremely difficult to communicate with a geriatric patient with dementia who may be suffering from inflammation, fungus buildup, or infection that can leave your loved one in tremendous pain and discomfort.
Expect at the first visit a thorough examination of the face, tongue, under the tongue, palate, gum tissues, lips, and teeth. Old X-rays will be checked and new X-rays will be taken if necessary and appropriate. Old X-rays should still be requested from previous dentists should the patient be unable to cooperate due to physical or mental constraints.
A full diagnosis report will be written to those who have requested a copy along with a detailed outline of future necessary treatments including costs. And as always, we operate 100% within the comfort of the patient’s home throughout the entire process.
Second Opinions
Getting a second opinion is a great idea, especially if your first consultation was not with a geriatric specialist
Teeth Cleaning
Everyone needs a clean oral cavity. We all know that oral health and systemic health are closely linked. Our mouths are the gateway to our general health!
Teeth must be brushed and mouth rinses help for those who can follow directions and do not swallow the rinse. I do provide a swallowable gel to those who cannot follow directions and are difficult to brush. And stay tuned for my toothbrush being patented to brush the teeth of my Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinsons, and ALS patients. Everyone should brush and keep their teeth decay-free. After I clean the teeth (scale and prophy using special mouth props if necessary), I will teach the aides exactly how to brush and use the mouth-rinses, toothpaste, and gels.
We operate 100% within the comfort of the patient’s home throughout the entire process.
Crowns (Caps) and Bridge Repair
If your loved one has a crown (cap) or bridge that needs to be recemented (glued back in), we will usually request a photo of the inside of the crown or bridge as well as the teeth that they fell off of. We can tell by looking at the photo of what the next step will be. We always hope for a simple fix.
Do not attempt to temporarily cement using over the counter remedies. You do not want it to fall off while they are laying down for fear of aspiration or swallowing it. Never attempt to recement it yourself!
Cavity Treatment
Filling cavities on those with dementia can seem like an impossible task – especially for those who do not specialize in elder dentistry. Of course, our dentists can fill cavities on cooperating patients using traditional composite (white fillings), but there are times (especially with dementia patients) when you cannot fill a tooth the traditional way without sedation (and that isn’t always an option for everyone).
We use a conservative technique called ARREST using Silver Diamine Flouride to treat those with severe dementia without sedation or having to use traditionally invasive techniques. As always, we operate 100% within the comfort of the patient’s home throughout the entire process.
Tooth Extractions
Teeth can safely be extracted in the comfort of the patient’s home. We do not attempt to remove a tooth if we are unsure that it may be too difficult or risky to do in the home. In this rare situation, we always consult with my oral surgeon for help. We are fully insured to work with an excellent oral surgeon who can X-ray the difficult patient after they mildly sedate the patient. One of us will extract the tooth or teeth and we have an excellent support team around us. Of course, this is always coordinated with your primary physician or nurse practitioner.
Do not be surprised if we say “let’s do it in the bed…Or a chair!” Our Dentists bring our own light source and equipment. Our Dentists can extract almost any tooth – even on dementia patients!
Old Xrays are almost always necessary so try to retrieve them at all costs(and there should be no real cost after you explain the situation).
As always, we operate 100% within the comfort of the patient’s home throughout the entire process.
Emergency Dental Services
We consider a dental emergency as any time you (or a loved one or your client/patient) are in pain, have lost a denture, have a broken denture, or have a cracked or broken tooth. Emergency treatment usually means pain or swelling is involved.
Contact your nearest dental provider below who can advise, and want to help!
Teledentistry for Elderly Patients
This is something we can do either after we become your dentist of choice or if we are dealing with a difficult situation where it is appropriate.
We look forward to meeting and treating your loved one.