A dental bridge is an artificial tooth that is anchored on to existing teeth either by using two adjacent dental crowns or resin-bonded strips. The artificial tooth, known as the pontic, is fused between the crowns or strips to create the appearance of a natural tooth and restore the appearance of the dental arc.
Teeth can be missing for a variety of reasons, including sporting injury, decay or even simply old age. Missing teeth not only have dental consequences by causing other movement in the dental arc but they can also be the source of great embarrassment and self-esteem issues.
Teeth act as rigid supports for the facial muscles and one or more missing teeth can alter the way the tissue appears on the face. Ultimately it can cause irreversible tissue sagging that can add years to the appearance of a patient. Missing teeth can also cause movement that leads to painful jaw conditions called TMJs and teeth grinding. It can also have negative impacts on speech and eating methods.
Replacing missing teeth with artificial dental substitutes can help avoid any alteration in profile and reduce the strain on the teeth either side of the missing tooth. This can also help prevent gum disease and bacteria build up in the hollow left by a lost tooth.
Dental bridges are usually made from porcelain and porcelain bonded metal. For the more extroverted patient they can also be manufactured from gold. They normally take at least two appointments at the dentist to allow for crowns and resin to set before the pontic is fixed. If properly cared for with correct brushing and cleaning, a dental bridge can last for up to fifteen years. If you are suffering from a missing tooth and are looking for an artificial replacement, ask a Central Leeds dentist about a dental bridge.
Chewing gum is the world’s most popular habit with an incredible 100,00 tons of it being chewed each year. Previously thought of as an unpleasant habit, the traditional image of chewing gum as a nuisance that was stuck under tables and on pavements everywhere is beginning to change.
Everybody knows the saying that prevention is better than cure. Nowhere is this more true than with regards to 
Gum disease, or gingivitis as it is also known, can be caused when bacteria is allowed to build up in the mouth which causes the gums to become infected. This usually manifests itself in painful, irritating and swollen gums that if left untreated it can become periodontitis and lead to wider infection and tooth loss.
More than 8 out of 10 of us have some form of gum disease, and yet 99 per cent of these cases exhibit no signs of the disease. For others with more serious cases of gum disease, bleeding gums is one of the most obvious signs that something may be wrong. Gum disease is seen by many to be fairly trivial, but this could definitely prove to be a mistake. Gum disease, or gingivitis as it is also known, can lead to tooth loss and even heart disease. It can also be symptomatic of a wider systemic illness. Over 90 per cent of all diseases in the body have some kind of oral manifestation, with bleeding gums being one of the more serious.
Over 90 per cent of us confess to having a fear of the dentist. For most of that 90 per cent the fear is mild and easily overcome by the knowledge that looking after your teeth is more important. For others who suffer from a more severe dental phobia the fear wins and their oral health suffers as a result. Many nervous or anxious patients suffer from gum disease and tooth decay because they put off or avoid coming to the dentist for check ups. Regular dental check ups are one of the best ways to avoid problems such as these so in some respects their fears are making the situation worse.