One of the more serious dental problems you can encounter is
losing teeth, or having teeth removed due to damage and decay. This is
not a situation faced by just older people like many would like to
believe. Damage due to sporting injuries and other accidents often
results in young people also losing teeth.
For aesthetic and functional reasons, any teeth that are lost need to be replaced. This can be a costly procedure so it is important that it is done right the first time. In order to work with your dentist in choosing the best tooth replacement option for you, it is important to understand what strategies and techniques are available in this area of dentistry.
Below, you will find a brief outline of the three most common ways of replacing teeth - dentures, bridges and implants. Armed with this information you will be able to make a well informed decision about your tooth replacement procedure.
Dentures
Dentures are the tooth replacement most people associate with elderly people - they are colloquially referred to as 'false teeth'.
They are a removable prosthetic designed to replicate teeth that have been removed or fallen out. You can have full dentures, or partial dentures depending on how may teeth you are missing. Most dentures are made by highly specialised dental workshops. Your dentist will take the mould of your mouth and send this off to the workshop to have your dentures created.
For most people with dentures they are necessity, but they can cause problems of discomfort and even pain. If you are being fitted for dentures, your dentist should brief you on possible problems and remedies to them.
Bridges
Bridges gain their name from their primary function - bridging the gap that has been created by one or more missing teeth. They need to have teeth on either side of the bridge to be used as support for the bridge.
Just like dentures, a bridge will be crafted by a specialised dental workshop, not your individual dentist - they will just take the measurements. On your first appointment the measurements will be taken and the teeth either side of the bridge, as well as your gums will be prepared. A temporary bridge will be fitted to avoid any damage to these teeth and gums while you wait for the permanent bridge to be fitted on your second visit.
Implants
Implants are a step above the prosthetic style dentures or bridges explained above and the process is far more involved.
The first step in the process is implanting a titanium device into the jaw, which closely replicates the root structure of an actual tooth. This is quite a serious undertaking and requires a specially qualified dental surgeon. Following this a replacement tooth is created and fastened to this artificial root.
Generally the new tooth will be made of ceramic or another material that very closely resembles a natural tooth. This is by far the most effective method of tooth replacement, if your goal is to have no one even know you have lost a tooth!
More Information
For more information, or for an individual consultation about replacing any missing teeth you may have, contact your local dentist.
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For aesthetic and functional reasons, any teeth that are lost need to be replaced. This can be a costly procedure so it is important that it is done right the first time. In order to work with your dentist in choosing the best tooth replacement option for you, it is important to understand what strategies and techniques are available in this area of dentistry.
Below, you will find a brief outline of the three most common ways of replacing teeth - dentures, bridges and implants. Armed with this information you will be able to make a well informed decision about your tooth replacement procedure.
Dentures
Dentures are the tooth replacement most people associate with elderly people - they are colloquially referred to as 'false teeth'.
They are a removable prosthetic designed to replicate teeth that have been removed or fallen out. You can have full dentures, or partial dentures depending on how may teeth you are missing. Most dentures are made by highly specialised dental workshops. Your dentist will take the mould of your mouth and send this off to the workshop to have your dentures created.
For most people with dentures they are necessity, but they can cause problems of discomfort and even pain. If you are being fitted for dentures, your dentist should brief you on possible problems and remedies to them.
Bridges
Bridges gain their name from their primary function - bridging the gap that has been created by one or more missing teeth. They need to have teeth on either side of the bridge to be used as support for the bridge.
Just like dentures, a bridge will be crafted by a specialised dental workshop, not your individual dentist - they will just take the measurements. On your first appointment the measurements will be taken and the teeth either side of the bridge, as well as your gums will be prepared. A temporary bridge will be fitted to avoid any damage to these teeth and gums while you wait for the permanent bridge to be fitted on your second visit.
Implants
Implants are a step above the prosthetic style dentures or bridges explained above and the process is far more involved.
The first step in the process is implanting a titanium device into the jaw, which closely replicates the root structure of an actual tooth. This is quite a serious undertaking and requires a specially qualified dental surgeon. Following this a replacement tooth is created and fastened to this artificial root.
Generally the new tooth will be made of ceramic or another material that very closely resembles a natural tooth. This is by far the most effective method of tooth replacement, if your goal is to have no one even know you have lost a tooth!
More Information
For more information, or for an individual consultation about replacing any missing teeth you may have, contact your local dentist.
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