Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Abstract

Oral Prosthetic Rehabilitation for Alzheimer Patients: Planning, Procedures, and Follow-Up

Tânia e Silva Pulicano Lacerda

This work aims at discussing prosthetic oral rehabilitation for Alzheimer patients, from planning until followup. In general, techniques for making dentures and implants for such patient are the same used in a healthy one. However, Alzheimer’s Disease does not affect only patients, but also their entire personal relations, such as family members, caregivers, and, in a broader sense, all of society. Throughout this paper, a session on the importance of accessibility in dental clinics for these patients will be developed, followed by the peculiarities in planning their dental prosthesis, as well as orientations on diets, hygiene, and mastication. Thus, the planning of treatments will be altered according to the general physical state of the patient, his or her degree of dependence on others, and life expectancy. In later stages of the disease, for instance, the patient is commonly affected by dysphagia, which the dentists while dealing with Alzheimer patients are innumerous, which emphasizes the need for the dentist to maintain an inter professional line of communication, for example, with physicians, nutritionists, and speech therapists, providing the patient with a singular treatment plan.