Age-related oral changes
Geriatric Dentistry Basics · Dental (BDS)
Study notes
An elder's teeth look darker and shorter. Why normal? Age-related changes - enamel thins showing darker dentin, attrition shortens crowns, pulp recedes (less sensitivity), gums recede exposing roots. Students learn aging-vs-disease: wear, recession, and darker shade are expected; rampant caries and mobility are not - the geriatric exam distinguishes the inevitable from the treatable, treating only the latter.