title: The role of orthodontics in the regeneration of the degenerated dentition.
abstract: The demand for regeneration of a degenerated dentition has been increasing as a result of the development of societies, where the life expectancy is increasing and fighting age-related changes is in focus. Whereas removable dentures were acceptable and considered a norm earlier, patients do, to an increasing degree,demand fixed prosthetics; consequently, the development of implants has had an important impact. The balance in the chewing organ will change with time, due to age-related changes within the bone and the loss of teeth due to caries or periodontal disease, and malocclusions may develop or aggravate. The re-establishment of an aesthetical and functional satisfactory solution cannot be reached by replacing teeth by fixed prosthodontics and implants. The aim of this update was threefold: firstly, to demonstrate that age-related changes, often unnoticed by both the patient and the general dentist, can lead to degeneration of the dentition; secondly, to explain how an interdisciplinary approach can make regeneration of even severe degeneration possible; and finally, to show the importance of the general dentist in the maintenance of the obtained results. Treatments should not aim for short-term results but focus on maintainable results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Melsen
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015921:Dental Implants; D003817:Dentition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009970:Orthodontics / Q000379:methods*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants
keywords: adult orthodontics; inter-disciplinary treatment; maintenance; occlusion