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Sun City Summerlin is the oldest and largest of Las Vegas’s 55-plus communities. Built by Del Webb beginning in 1989, the community sits on 2,400 acres at the western edge of Summerlin, has just over 7,500 homes, and is home to somewhere between 11,000 and 14,000 residents depending on which census estimate you use. The median age is in the mid-60s to mid-70s, depending on the data source. Most residents own their homes outright. About half are over 65. Three golf courses, four recreation centers, more than 100 clubs.
These are the broad strokes. They matter for our purposes because they describe a population whose dental care needs are substantially different from those of the rest of Summerlin — and because the national data on oral health after 65 has changed dramatically in the past two decades in ways most people, including most dental practices, have not fully caught up to.
This piece walks through what the data actually says, and what it means in practice for residents thinking about dental care.
A few demographic facts that shape the kind of dental work we see from this part of Summerlin:
~14,000 residents in Sun City Summerlin, in roughly 7,500 single-family homes
55+ minimum age for at least one resident in every household
~65–74 median age, depending on which Census release is used
~50% of residents are aged 65 or older
8 min approximate drive from Sun City to our office at 851 S Rampart Boulevard
Population, age, and housing figures from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2019–2023 5-year estimates) and Sun City Summerlin community records.
The practical implication of these numbers is that a meaningful share of our patients from this neighborhood are managing two things at once: a higher likelihood of older dental work that needs maintenance or replacement, and a body of medical and prescription history that affects how dentistry has to be practiced. Both of those realities deserve their own honest look.
If your mental image of dental care for older adults was shaped by an earlier era — dentures by 70, full tooth loss by 80 — the most important thing to know is that this picture is increasingly wrong, and has been getting more wrong every decade for the past forty years.
According to the CDC’s 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report, the prevalence of edentulism — complete tooth loss — among Americans 65 and older has dropped from approximately 50% in the 1960s to 13.8% in 2020. Among adults 65 to 74 specifically, the rate is now 11.4%. Even among those 75 and older, it is just under 20%. Most people who reach retirement age today will keep most of their teeth for the rest of their lives.
But this is not the whole picture. The same CDC data shows that adults 65 and older average 9.3 filled teeth and 6.4 missing teeth due to disease. Roughly one in three has lost six or more teeth. And about one in five has untreated tooth decay at any given time.
In other words: the question is no longer whether older adults will keep their teeth. The question is what condition those retained teeth will be in, and what kind of ongoing maintenance the substantial body of older restorative work — the crowns, fillings, root canals, and bridges accumulated over a lifetime — will require.
The question is no longer whether older adults will keep their teeth. The question is what condition those teeth will be in.
This is the work that defines a 55-plus practice. It is rarely glamorous. It is almost never the kind of full smile makeover that wins awards or gets photographed. It is, more often, the careful management of a thirty-year-old crown that needs to come off, the small bonding repair on a chipped tooth that has been bothering someone for two years, the second opinion on whether a recommended root canal is really necessary, and the patient evaluation of whether a single failing tooth is best replaced with an implant or accommodated some other way.
When tooth replacement does become necessary, the conversation today is rarely just about dentures. Modern dental implants — single units, multi-unit bridges, or full-arch restorations like All-on-4 — have become the standard of care for tooth replacement when the bone and the patient’s medical history support it. We do a substantial amount of implant work for patients in this part of Summerlin.
For patients who have already lost a meaningful number of teeth and are managing existing dentures or considering them for the first time, modern dentures and implant-stabilized prosthetics are dramatically different from what people remember from their parents’ generation. They fit better, look more natural, and — when stabilized with even two or four implants — function much closer to natural teeth than traditional plates ever did.
There is one issue that affects dental care for residents of Sun City Summerlin more than any other single factor, and that most patients have never been told about by their physicians or pharmacists: prescription medications cause dry mouth, and dry mouth causes accelerated tooth decay.
The numbers here are striking. Three independent estimates of the same underlying problem:
~30% of adults over 65 experience clinically significant dry mouth
78% prevalence among older adults taking 3 or more daily medications
500+ medications documented to cause dry mouth as a side effect
Sources: American Dental Association Oral Health Topics; USC Ostrow School of Dentistry literature reviews; Canadian Dental Hygienists Association factsheet, all citing the underlying clinical literature.
The medications most strongly associated with dry mouth in older adults — based on a 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis — are urologic medications (especially those for overactive bladder), antidepressants, and antipsychotics. Blood pressure medications, antihistamines, opioid pain relievers, and many others contribute. Most patients in Sun City Summerlin are taking at least one of these. A meaningful share are taking three or more.
The dental consequences are predictable. Saliva is the mouth’s natural defense against decay — it neutralizes acid, washes away food particles, and delivers minerals that help repair early enamel damage. When salivary flow drops by half or more, the rate of new cavities, root surface decay, and gum disease accelerates significantly. This is especially true for cervical and root caries — decay at the gum line, where exposed root surfaces are softer than enamel and far more vulnerable.
In practice, this means a Sun City patient who has been seeing the same dentist for ten years and feels their oral hygiene routine is unchanged may suddenly start developing cavities at age 68 that they never had at age 58. The patient blames themselves. The dentist blames aging. Neither is correct. The actual cause is usually a medication change, often something the patient does not connect with their teeth — a new prescription for blood pressure, sleep, anxiety, or urinary urgency that started six or twelve months earlier.
This is solvable. The treatment is not complicated. It involves a combination of professional fluoride applications, prescription-strength toothpaste, careful management of dietary acids, sometimes a saliva substitute or stimulant, and — most importantly — an honest conversation with the prescribing physician about whether the medication or its dose can be modified. None of this is exotic. But it requires a dentist who is paying attention to the medication list and asking the right questions.
If any of this resonates and you want to ask about it before booking an in-person visit, the practice’s virtual consultation is a fifteen-minute video call with no obligation. It is a useful way to describe what you are noticing and find out whether what you are dealing with sounds like dry mouth, normal aging, or something else entirely.
One last piece of context that affects this population specifically: dental insurance becomes meaningfully harder to obtain and use after retirement, and most patients are surprised by this when it happens.
Medicare explicitly excludes most dental benefits, with only narrow exceptions for medically necessary care tied to other procedures. Medicare Advantage plans sometimes include dental coverage, but the benefits are typically capped at $1,000 to $2,000 per year — barely enough to cover a single crown — and the network of accepting dentists is often limited. Stand-alone dental insurance for retirees exists but is expensive relative to the benefit, with annual maximums that have not meaningfully increased in decades.
The result is that many residents of Sun City Summerlin who had reasonable dental coverage through an employer for forty years now find themselves, in retirement, paying out of pocket for the first time. This is the population that most needs ongoing maintenance of older dental work, and the population least supported by the insurance system in getting it.
We have a preferred patient program that exists specifically for patients in this situation. It covers two cleanings, exams, and X-rays per year and includes a discount on additional treatment, for an annual fee that compares favorably to most retiree dental insurance products. It is not the right fit for everyone — patients with significant existing coverage or who anticipate substantial restorative work may do better with traditional insurance — but for patients whose dental needs are primarily preventive and maintenance, it usually works out better.
Three things distinguish what we do, and they matter more for this demographic than for almost any other:
We take time. Dr. Cohan sees one patient at a time. The appointment book is built that way. For older adults — many of whom have complex medical histories, multiple medications, and questions that require real conversation rather than a thirty-second hallway exchange with the dentist on her way to the next operatory — this is the practical foundation that makes everything else possible. A patient with a nuanced dry-mouth situation cannot be handled in a fifteen-minute slot.
We work with what is already there. Patients moving into Sun City from other parts of the country often arrive with thirty or forty years of accumulated dental work — crowns from one city, a bridge from another, root canals from a third, and notes from dentists who retired years ago. Our preference is to maintain and refine that work rather than replace it wholesale. Replacing functional older dentistry without good reason is expensive and rarely improves outcomes.
We are honest about what is optional. Not every recommended treatment needs to happen, and not every recommended treatment needs to happen now. We routinely give second opinions on treatment plans recommended elsewhere, and we are equally willing to confirm that another dentist’s plan is correct or to suggest that a less aggressive approach would serve the patient better. The willingness to leave money on the table is the test of whether a practice is genuinely patient-first.
The drive from Sun City Summerlin to our office is approximately eight minutes. The most direct route is east on Del Webb Boulevard, south on Buffalo Drive, west on Charleston Boulevard, and north on Rampart. Some patients prefer to take the 215 Beltway south to Charleston for slightly less stop-and-go. Either way it is a straightforward trip, generally faster than driving across Summerlin to Town Center.
The office is at 851 South Rampart Boulevard, Suite 230, in the Tivoli Village area. Parking is in the lot directly adjacent to the building. Access from the parking lot to our suite involves one elevator ride to the second floor — straightforward for patients with mobility considerations, but worth knowing in advance if stairs would be a problem.
If you would like to come in, the office number is 702-341-9160. For new patients, we typically schedule a one-hour initial visit that includes a full set of digital X-rays, a 3D scan, an exam, and a thorough review of your medical and medication history. We are also happy to coordinate with your physician or pharmacist if any aspect of your care requires it.
If you would prefer to talk before booking, the virtual consultation is the simplest first step.
This page draws on the following authoritative sources, all of which are linked in the body above and listed here for reference:
About 6 minutes. Head south on Rampart Blvd past Lake Mead Blvd, or take Del Webb Blvd to Rampart. Our office is at 851 S. Rampart Blvd., Suite 230.
Yes. Dr. Cohan has over 31 years of experience and has treated thousands of patients over 55. She understands the specific dental needs of mature adults, including dry mouth from medications, gum recession, root decay, implants, dentures, and maintaining existing restorations.
We accept most PPO dental insurance plans and offer CareCredit with 0% interest for 12 months. We also prioritize treatment based on necessity, so you can address the most important issues first and plan additional work over time.
We offer full dentures, partial dentures, implant-supported dentures (which snap onto implants for greater stability), and immediate dentures. Dr. Cohan will recommend the best option based on your specific oral health, bone structure, and lifestyle.
In many cases, yes. Dental implants or the All-on-4 protocol can provide a permanent, fixed alternative to removable dentures. Implant-supported teeth look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Dr. Cohan uses 3D CBCT imaging to determine if you have sufficient bone for implant placement.
Yes, with proper coordination. Dr. Cohan will review your complete medication list and medical history before any procedure. Most dental treatments can be safely performed on patients taking blood thinners with appropriate precautions.
Yes. Dry mouth (xerostomia) is common among Sun City residents who take multiple medications. Dr. Cohan can recommend products and strategies to manage dry mouth and protect your teeth from the accelerated decay it can cause.
Yes. Nitrous oxide provides gentle relaxation, and oral conscious sedation is available for patients who need deeper relaxation. Both options are safe for older adults when properly administered and monitored.
Yes. A loose or lost crown should be addressed promptly. Call +1(702) 341-9160 and we will schedule you as soon as possible, often the same day. Save the crown and bring it with you.
Yes. Deep teeth cleaning (scaling and root planing) is our primary treatment for periodontal disease. For Sun City residents, maintaining gum health is essential to preserving natural teeth and supporting existing restorations.
The 3D CBCT scan shows the exact density and volume of jawbone available for implant placement, the location of nerves and sinuses, and the optimal angle for each implant. This is especially important for older adults who may have experienced some bone loss.
Yes. If you have medical conditions that affect dental care (heart conditions, diabetes, osteoporosis, blood disorders), Dr. Cohan will communicate with your physician to ensure safe, coordinated treatment.
Yes. Denture repairs, relines, and adjustments can often be completed quickly. If your dentures have become loose, uncomfortable, or damaged, schedule an appointment and we will assess the best solution.
Our office is fully accessible with ground-level entry and wide hallways. Our treatment chairs are adjustable for patient comfort. Please let us know about any mobility considerations when scheduling so we can prepare accordingly.
A bridge anchors to the teeth on either side of a gap, while an implant is a standalone titanium post inserted into the jawbone that supports a crown independently. Implants preserve bone and do not require altering adjacent healthy teeth. Dr. Cohan will recommend the best option for your situation.
We recommend twice-yearly visits for most patients. Sun City residents who have gum disease, dry mouth, or multiple restorations may benefit from three to four visits per year. Dr. Cohan will create a schedule based on your specific needs.
Yes. Oral cancer screening is included in every comprehensive examination. Early detection is critical, and Dr. Cohan checks for suspicious lesions, discolorations, and tissue changes at every visit.
Absolutely. We welcome second-opinion consultations. Dr. Cohan will review your records, examine your teeth, and provide her honest assessment with no obligation.
Absolutely. Cosmetic dentistry has no age limit. Teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, crowns, and even orthodontics (Invisalign) are all available. Many Sun City residents tell us that improving their smile gave them renewed confidence.
Call +1(702) 341-9160 or complete the new patient forms on our website. Sun City Summerlin to our office is about 6 minutes on Rampart Blvd. We look forward to meeting you.
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Summerlin Dental Solutions
Premier cosmetic, restorative, and family dentistry 19-time Best of Las Vegas winner. Premier dentistry proudly serving Sun City Summerlin and the 55-plus community. One patient at a time, by appointment onl
