Endodontic consideration in geriatric patients

Abstract

Advancements in health care services have enhanced life expectancy, thus maintaining healthy dentition is significant for overall health. Furthermore, the growing desire of elderly patients to maintain their teeth has led to an increased need for the performance of complex dental treatments in elderly patients. Root canal therapy is an essential phase of such treatments. Elderly patients may exhibit one or more systemic conditions that require special care, in addition to other changes that occur within the dentition and oral mucosa because of aging. This makes root canal treatment in elderly patients a great challenge. This article reviews to characterize pathologic and physiologic changes in elderly patients that can interfere with root canal treatment procedures, as well as attitudes of elderly patients toward such treatment, and to provide guidelines and clinical considerations for the management of root canal treatment in elderly patients.