Teeth can be lost in a number of circumstances. In some cases it may be a road accident or even a sporting accident. It may just be due to a lack of oral hygiene and tooth decay or gum disease has caused the destruction of the tooth. However you have lost the tooth, a smile with missing teeth is never really a healthy or attractive look and will add years to your appearance. There are also many health reasons why it is important to replace missing teeth with a dental substitution.
There are a number of options to replace missing teeth. Dental implants involve using small screws anchored into the jawbone, which are very solid but also quite costly. Partial dentures are another option but van often feel very bulky and may limit what it is possible to eat. One of the most common restorations is a dental bridge. Dental bridges are secured on either side of the missing tooth or teeth by a couple of dental crowns, or if the teeth are in very good condition, with resin bonded strips. A Bath dentist will be able to advise which is the most suitable type of dental bridge at an initial appointment.
Dental bridges replace all the part of the tooth visible above the gum to restore the appearance of a full dental arc and also to replace the lost support for the facial structure. They also prevent the other teeth leaning into the vacant space, which can cause misalignment and nasty jaw conditions. A dental bridge can last up to twenty years if it is properly maintained and cleaned like your other teeth. Your dentist will give you tips on how best to care for any dental restoration work you may have.
Even one missing tooth can seriously affect the way a person looks and not just because of the obvious gap in the teeth. Missing teeth leave gaps in the dental arc that allow other teeth to rotate and lean leading to a complete change in the appearance of the teeth. This can also affect bite alignment and have a negative impact on the facial tissue. Vacant spaces are also breeding grounds for plaque-forming and bad breath-causing bacteria. It is therefore very important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible.
One cosmetic option for replacing a missing tooth is a dental bridge. A dental bridge is an artificial tooth attached to crowns or resin-bonded strips that literally bridges the gap left by the missing tooth. This restores the appearance of the tooth from the gum up without having any attachment to the gum itself. This prevents bacteria build up and also braces the other teeth preventing any unwanted movement.
Dental bridges are usually fitted over several visits to the dentist depending on the condition of the existing teeth. The type of bridge fitted also depends on the condition of the adjacent teeth. Teeth in better condition are likely to be resin bonded rather than remove healthy enamel for a crown.
If properly cared for a dental bridge can last for up to fifteen years and serve all the functions of a natural tooth. Bristol dentists can fit dental bridges to fill the gap left by one or more teeth to help restore a patient’s confidence and their smile.
Having missing teeth in your smile can be embarrassing and cause a loss of confidence but it can also have a series of adverse physical effects as well. Teeth missing from the dental arc can cause a change in bite, shifting of other teeth, speech impediments and an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It is therefore important to replace the missing teeth with artificial dental substitutes as soon as possible.
One option is to have a dental bridge fitted by a Bristol dentist. Dental bridges are fixed artificial teeth attached to dental crowns on either side of the gap and can be used to replace one or more missing teeth. There are several different types of dental bridge that can be used depending on the circumstances of the individual patient but typically all bridges will include an artificial bridging tooth called a pontic.
If you are a suitable candidate for treatment the dentist will construct the bridge over the course of several visits. This may involve rebuilding damaged teeth so that they are strong enough to receive a dental crown. Once the crowns are in place, a pontic specifically chosen to fit the gap exactly and match the colour of the existing teeth can then be fixed using metal strips and dental bonding. The cost of the bridge will vary depending on the types of material used in manufacturing the bridge and the extent of the damage to the original teeth but will usually fall between £500 and £1.500. Once fixed, the dental bridge can last up to twenty years if properly cleaned and maintained through a strict oral hygiene regime. Although it would obviously be preferable to have your original teeth intact, dental bridge treatments provide an incredibly lifelike and sturdy alternative to real teeth and can prevent a series of unpleasant negative effects otherwise associated with missing teeth.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Even one missing tooth can seriously affect the way a person looks and not just because of the obvious gap in the teeth. Missing teeth leave gaps in the dental arc that allow other teeth to rotate and lean leading to a complete change in the appearance of the teeth. This can also affect bite alignment and have a negative impact on the facial tissue. Vacant spaces are also breeding grounds for plaque-forming and bad breath-causing bacteria. It is therefore very important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible.
One cosmetic option for replacing a missing tooth is a dental bridge. A dental bridge is an artificial tooth attached to crowns or resin-bonded strips that literally bridges the gap left by the missing tooth. This restores the appearance of the tooth from the gum up without having any attachment to the gum itself. This prevents bacteria build up and also braces the other teeth preventing any unwanted movement.
Dental bridges are usually fitted over several visits to the dentist depending on the condition of the existing teeth. The type of bridge fitted also depends on the condition of the adjacent teeth. Teeth in better condition are likely to be resin bonded rather than remove healthy enamel for a crown.
If properly cared for a dental bridge can last for up to fifteen years and serve all the functions of a natural tooth. Bristol dentists can fit dental bridges to fill the gap left by one or more teeth to help restore a patient’s confidence and their smile.
Having missing teeth in your smile can be embarrassing and cause a loss of confidence but it can also have a series of adverse physical effects as well. Teeth missing from the dental arc can cause a change in bite, shifting of other teeth, speech impediments and an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It is therefore important to replace the missing teeth with artificial dental substitutes as soon as possible.
One option is to have a dental bridge fitted by a Bristol dentist. Dental bridges are fixed artificial teeth attached to dental crowns on either side of the gap and can be used to replace one or more missing teeth. There are several different types of dental bridge that can be used depending on the circumstances of the individual patient but typically all bridges will include an artificial bridging tooth called a pontic.
If you are a suitable candidate for treatment the dentist will construct the bridge over the course of several visits. This may involve rebuilding damaged teeth so that they are strong enough to receive a dental crown. Once the crowns are in place, a pontic specifically chosen to fit the gap exactly and match the colour of the existing teeth can then be fixed using metal strips and dental bonding. The cost of the bridge will vary depending on the types of material used in manufacturing the bridge and the extent of the damage to the original teeth but will usually fall between £500 and £1.500. Once fixed, the dental bridge can last up to twenty years if properly cleaned and maintained through a strict oral hygiene regime. Although it would obviously be preferable to have your original teeth intact, dental bridge treatments provide an incredibly lifelike and sturdy alternative to real teeth and can prevent a series of unpleasant negative effects otherwise associated with missing teeth.
