Tooth Replacement

If you are missing a tooth or a number of teeth there are a number of good options to fill the space to improve the look of your smile and function. When you are missing teeth the most noticeable issue is if you have lost a tooth that is visible when you smile. Or if you’ve lost several teeth this can make eating less enjoyable because chewing becomes more difficult and people start to avoid hard, chewy food. Longer-term issues occur because the remaining teeth can collapse into the space. This affects your bite and can cause stress and damage to your other teeth.

Dental Implants

Dental Implants are the most modern and biological way to replace a missing tooth. The process involves a titanium fixture (implant) surgically placed into the bone of the jaw. Over a period of a few months this integrates/ fuses with the bone and becomes a strong foundation for a new tooth/ crown. The great thing about implants is that you can replace a missing tooth with something that looks and feels when chewing the most like a real tooth.

Crown & Bridge

Bridges, now considered older technology are also a good option to replace missing teeth especially in cases where an implant cannot be placed usually due to health reasons and lack of bone. A bridge is placed by preparing the neighbouring teeth for crowns and when permanently fixed in place you will have three crowns fused together – two on your real teeth and one that fills in gap.

Dentures

Although many people do not like the idea of dentures, they remain a good option for people who have been missing a number of teeth over quite a few years. When these are custom fit patients can bite and chew with dentures like teeth. They are also removable and make cleaning of the remaining teeth easier.

Dentures become a problem if you wear the same pair for too many years. After a period of time they become loose and ill fitting which can cause problems with other teeth and make chewing more difficult. In some situation if you’ve been missing teeth for a long time the jawbone shrinks away and even a well-fitting denture by itself may be uncomfortable. In these situations combining a denture with implants can give your denture a much stronger grip, which significantly improves function.

Book an appointment today to discuss your individual situation.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.