About this Scientific Article
Changing lifestyles, changing expectations of quality of life, and changes in health conditions mean that older patients are opting for jaw surgery as well as the classic age group of 18–25 years. However, the growing number of older patients is also associated with an increasing change of clinical situations, such as reduced dentition and even edentulous jaws. Indications are slightly different to the indications of the younger age group. In older patients, it is quite common to perform surgery in order to improve the prosthodontic care and its future prospects. In some cases, orthognathic surgery is the only way to establish implant-based restorations when great discrepancies in the transverse and sagittal plane are present. We see the need for preprosthetic treatment to create a solid base for prosthesis. In some cases, previously inserted implants need to be repositioned in the surrounding jaw bone to improve jaw relation. We also see cases with rare diseases or malformations with reduced dentition and no physiological base to the bone. Changes in individual preventative health care can also lead older patients to opt for a consultation. Finally, changes in life planning are associated with an increasing acceptance of surgery to meet the ideal of beauty and attractiveness, even in older age.
