REPLACING MISSING TEETH
Some patients can happily cope with a missing tooth and the gap can be left with no adverse effects. But you might want to fill the gap to aid chewing or to restore your full smile, or to stop adjacent teeth drifting into the space left. If you are someone who misses your missing tooth, we have a number of options for you.
Bridge
A bridge is a prosthetic tooth fixed to one or both (usually both) adjacent teeth and is not removed. The conventional bridge uses a crown-type structure on the supporting teeth with the prosthetic tooth attached to the side. The bridge may be made of porcelain-metal, or metal-free zirconia (a high strength white mineral)
What does the procedure involve?
At the first appointment, it is usually necessary to numb the area with a local anaesthetic before the procedure. The supporting teeth either side of the missing tooth are shaved down by around 1mm around the circumference and from the biting surface, leaving the cores of the teeth intact. Impressions will be taken to allow the dental technician to construct the bridge. A temporary bridge (or sometimes single crowns on the supporting teeth) will be fitted. At the second appointment, the temporary bridge or crowns will be removed, the bridge will be tried in to check its fit and appearance, and it will be cemented in place.
A conventional bridge will last an average of 10-12 years. This is not a minimum – 50% will fail before this time. Bridges may fail by debonding, by the supporting teeth developing decay or abscesses, or by the supporting teeth fracturing inside the bridge. In some cases, the bridge can be refitted or remade. In others, the supporting teeth may be irreparably damaged and may need to be removed.
Denture
A denture is a removable appliance used to replace missing teeth, and may be partial (if some of your own teeth remain) or complete (if none of your own teeth remain). The acrylic denture is made of plastic. We can also discuss whether a chrome denture is suitable for you. Acrylic dentures can be used to replace any number of missing teeth. However, they can be cumbersome and make oral hygiene more challenging, so we try to avoid dentures unless several teeth need to be replaced. If very few of your natural teeth remain, or your teeth are in poor condition, acrylic dentures are usually the treatment of choice. As a general rule, patients tend to find upper dentures more comfortable and tolerable than lower dentures.
What does the procedure involve?
There will be a series of usually 4 appointments, over which accurate impressions of your gums (and teeth if present) are taken, a record of your bite is made, and a colour for the teeth is selected to match your natural or desired colour. A model of the denture will be tried in to check the final appearance and fit before the final denture is processed.
Find us at:
County Road Dental Practice, 158-160 County Road, Liverpool L4 5PH
OPENING TIMES
Monday | 09:00 - 19:00 |
Tuesday |
09:00 - 18:00 |
Wednesday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
Thursday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
Friday | 08:30 - 15:30 |
Saturday | Closed |
Sunday | Closed |
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