Restorative Dentistry
Restorative Dentistry replaces missing teeth. It embraces the following procedures:
- Bridges
- Dental Implants
- Implant-supported Dentures
Accident or decay can claim teeth that have served important roles in chewing and in your appearance.
As a replacement, your Dentist may suggest the use of a bridge, one or more false teeth that are attached to their neighbours.
There are three main types of bridge. A removable bridge (also called partial dentures) is a simulated tooth with wire hooks that grip the teeth to either side. A fixed, or permanent, bridge is attached to crowns that are put on the teeth to either side. This type of bridge is normally used to replace missing back teeth. A cantilever bridge is attached on one side only to the two teeth nearest to it.
The basic steps for putting in a fixed bridge involve those of putting on crowns. They include preparing the teeth that will have the crowns, creating the crowns and simulated tooth out of one piece of porcelain, and then setting the crowns on the prepared teeth.
This work normally takes two or three appointments. Freezing is sometimes required when preparing teeth that will have crowns.
Note that a bridge needs a little extra care, particularly with cleaning. It will normally last about 10 years with proper care.
If you have lost a tooth or require support for a bridge or denture, your Dentist may suggest that you have one or more dental implants.
This procedure is based on bone’s ability to bond closely with a substance like titanium. In a dental implant, a post is set into your jawbone to act as an artificial root. When the jawbone has bonded with the implant (artificial root), a crown (false tooth) is attached to it.
Dental implants look and feel natural, and can last for up to 20 years or more. But you need to be in good health and have healthy bones and gums to be a good candidate for this treatment. Some medical conditions and some habits, such as alcohol and tobacco use, can make it less likely the treatment will be successful.
The process of getting a dental implant involves a surgical phase and a restorative phase, and a wait of a couple of months for your jawbone to bond with the implant (artificial root). For an implant to succeed, careful ongoing maintenance is crucial, from brushing and flossing to added teeth cleaning visits.
Still, for some people, such as those who cannot tolerate dentures, dental implants can be the right choice. Many of our patients are encouraged to adopt this procedure by our state-of-the-art dental implant service.
When all or several of your teeth are missing, your Dentist may suggest full or partial dentures.
Full dentures are required when all the teeth have been lost. Full dentures fit the gum ridge, where they look and work like original teeth. Partial dentures stand in when existing teeth are not appropriate for the use of a fixed bridge. (See Bridges on this page.)
Once, there was no effective alternative to dentures. Unfortunately, lack of teeth can lead to receding or shrinking of the underlying bone. As this happens, the dentures won’t fit as well and will need to be adjusted.
Today, strategically placed dental implants (See Dental Implants on this page.) offer an alternative. Implant-supported dentures provide a solid base for full dentures or a bridge. Because chewing with them stresses the underlying jawbone, they help prevent bone receding and shrinkage. That means they can help you eat and speak normally. At the same time, they help you keep more of your existing teeth and enhance your appearance.
Implants take time and patience, and considerable ongoing maintenance. They are not the right solution for everyone. But they are growing in use, as their benefits are more clearly understood.
Whether you choose full or partial dentures with or without implants, you will need to learn a new cleaning routine, to keep dentures and underlying gums clean and healthy. Your Dentist or Dental Hygienist can show you how to clean and soak your dentures, and will advise on regular check-ups, to ensure the health of your smile.
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