Missing teeth can be a great source of embarrassment, especially when in a prominent position in the smile. They are very noticeable and can really knock a person’s self-confidence, even more so when the lost tooth has been the result of a sudden trauma or accident. But there are ways of replacing the teeth that are both very realistic and functional.

One of the most realistic ways to replace a lost tooth is a dental implant. This is the only kind of tooth replacement that restores the whole tooth from root to tip. Other dental prosthetics such as dental bridges and partial dentures only restores the tooth from the gum line and as a result are more prone to damage and are less sturdy. This can make it difficult to eat certain foods and can cause anxiety about breakages.

The implant itself is a smell titanium screw that is drilled directly into the jawbone. This sounds a lot more unpleasant than it actually is and the procedure is relatively painless. Once secured into the jaw, the implant is left for some weeks or months to fuse with the gum tissue and bone. When this is complete the dentist will then attach a post and ultimately an artificial crown which is usually made of porcelain. This closely resembles the colour and consistency of other teeth for a greater degree of realism.

Dental implants are a lot more solid because they are anchored to the jaw just like real teeth. Unlike other dental substitutes they can last a whole lifetime without needing to be replaced. South East London dentists can assess suitability for implants at your next appointment and also give some guide as to their cost. But whatever the price, it is surely worth it to restore the appearance of your smile.

A dental bridge is a form of dental prosthetic that replaces a tooth or teeth that have been lost to dental decay or physical trauma. It consists of an artificial tooth attached either side of the missing tooth either by dental crowns, or if the teeth are in good condition, with resin-bonded metal strips.

Missing teeth can be very troublesome not to mention painful. They can cause long-term problems that can affect all the other teeth in the mouth as well as the joints and muscles of the face and neck. This happens when teeth rotate and shift into the space created by the missing tooth. This causes interruptions in the way the top and bottom teeth sit together, also known as bite. This can be a great source of irritation and can eventually lead to a very unpleasant jaw condition called TMJ.

It is therefore very important to replace the missing tooth as soon as possible. Dental bridges have been around for a long time but recent improvements in dental technology have led to improvements in treatment. The artificial tooth, known as the pontic, can be made from porcelain and chosen to closely match the colour of the other teeth for a more realistic appearance. A bridge will take several visits to a London SE1 dentist to fit, especially if the bridge is being attached using crowns.

Once fitted, the bridge may take some getting used to when talking and eating but after a while will be able to achieve almost everything possible with a real tooth and the cosmetic appearance of the teeth will have been fully restored. Dental bridges can last up to twenty years if properly maintained and cleaned regularly like other teeth. It is also advisable to make regular trips to the dentist to examine the bridge for any signs of weakness.

Loosing some or all of your teeth can have a massive negative impact on your self-confidence and also have a hugely detrimental effect on your quality of life. It is also possible that missing teeth can cause the facial muscles to sag making you look much older than you really are. The solution to all the problems associated with multiple tooth loss is dentures.

They might not sound all that appealing but dentures have long been used and are the tried and tested way of replacing missing teeth. Denture technology has also come a long way making today’s dentures a much more appealing option. Tooth loss can happen for a number of reasons and it is important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible to prevent complications leading to further loss. Dentures or partial dentures are often the best artificial alternative to replace real teeth.

A well-fitting denture will not be loose and will greatly improve the quality of life of the patient. Some patients have loose dentures because of increased gum erosion and resort to dental adhesives for extra security. This can be messy and prohibits eating certain foods. For patients who are still anxious about the embarrassment of loose dentures there is now the possibility of mini-implants fitted to the jawbone to secure the dentures.

In the hands of a skilled South East London dentist, the results capable with dentures are stunning. Not only can they completely restore the smile and confidence of a patient but they can also restore their much-needed quality of life and make them look years younger.

Dental implants are among the most successful treatments available in the field of dentistry. While no procedure is 100 per cent effective, the five-year success rate of the average dental implant is 95 per cent. This is just another reason why dental implants are considered the best option for replacing missing teeth.

Dental implants are the small cylindrical screws that are secured directly into the jawbone to support a tooth. Usually made form titanium because of its strength, implants are anchored into the jaw before being left to fuse with the bone and gum tissue in a process called osseointergration. Once full fusion has occurred, the implant can be used to secure a post and ultimately an artificial tooth. Because the implant replaces the whole tooth root, and not just the crown that is proud of the gum tissue it provides a much more realistic alternative than both dental bridges and partial dentures. Dental implants are almost as strong as real teeth meaning there are fewer limits to what the patient may eat or drink.

Implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth or even two or three adjacent teeth lost to decay or dental trauma. A series of five smaller implants are increasingly being used as a solid base to attach dentures. This alleviates anxiety for denture wearers and removes the need to use denture adhesive, which can be unpleasant.

Of all the restorative options available to London SE1 dentists, none has proved to be as consistently reliable and realistic as the dental implant. Patients with missing teeth keen to restore their smile should ask their dentist about their suitability for dental implants at their next appointment.

Just as a real bridge is used to fill the area between two pieces of land, a dental bridge is used to fill the gap between two teeth. These gaps in the dental arc are caused by teeth lost either due to decay or accident. It can be a very embarrassing situation for patients who have a missing tooth, particularly if it is a prominent or visible one. But beyond the cosmetic damage a missing tooth can cause, there are also some very serious physiological conditions that can occur from missing teeth.

If a tooth has been lost in the front of the dental arc then it can cause the other teeth to rotate or lean into the empty space. This can turn an otherwise straight and even smile into an unattractive and crooked one. This can also be the cause of malocclusion or bite interruption that can lead to painful jaw conditions called TMJ. Vacant teeth spaces can also act as difficult-to-clean bacteria traps. This can lead to bacterial infection that can cause further tooth damage. It is therefore very important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible.

Dental bridges are fitted by London SE1 dentists using a combination of an artificial tooth, composite resin bonding and dental crowns. A crown on each of the abutment teeth on either side of the gap act as support for the new tooth which sits on top of the gum. In cases where patient’s teeth are very healthy otherwise the dentist may choose to use metal strips to attach the artificial tooth rather than dental crowns.

Dental bridges usually last for between 10 and 15 years but in some cases, when properly cared for, they can last a lot longer. Ask a dentist about dental bridges if you are suffering from a missing tooth.