[Dental prosthetic treatment of elderly patients]

There seems to be an increasing need and demand for prosthetic treatment among old-age pensioners in Norway. The demand may be explained by more pensioners with own teeth, more interest in dental care, cosmetics, better information about treatment possibilities, and a better economy among the elderly. This article gives guidelines for various types of prosthetic treatment as respects for barriers such as chronic disease, aging, drugs, social isolation and for some elderly weak economy. Although prosthetic treatment of elderly differs little from that given to younger adults, the requirements of a tooth used as an abutment may be less strict in case of the elderly.