Posts Tagged ‘missing tooth’

Central Leeds dentists replace teeth with dental bridges

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010

If you have lost a tooth or teeth through an accident or as a result of decay or disease, it is very important to have it replaced. There are several reasons for this. Having a gap where a tooth ought to be can look unsightly and your confidence may suffer as a result. A gap also puts a strain on surrounding teeth which may begin to shift into the space left. Eating can drinking can be made uncomfortable by fact that a tooth or teeth are missing.

Contact your Central Leeds dentist to ask about how dental bridges can solve these problems. Dental bridges usually come in three varieties. The traditional fixed bridge consists of a false tooth (known as a pontic) which is fused between two crowns anchored to neighbouring teeth for stability. Resin-bonded or Maryland-bonded bridges are plastic pontics specifically for when the gap is between the front teeth. The resin used in this case is concealed. In cases where the front teeth are susceptible to lower stress, a cantilever bridge is used and the pontic is fused to a tooth on only one side.

Having numbed the area with a mild anaesthetic, the dentist will prepare by shaving off a little of the adjacent tooth if necessary. Using dental putty, an impression of the surrounding teeth will be constructed so that the replacement can be made in a laboratory. Then a temporary bridge is fitted to protect the surrounding teeth and gums. In your second appointment the dentist will fit the custom-made bridge, having removed the temporary one. After checking your bite, the dentist will cement it in place. Regular check ups will be necessary to check it is firmly in place.

Your Central Leeds dentist will be able to provide you with more details about this procedure which is vital if you have a missing tooth or teeth.

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Get the Best Dental Bridges in Leeds Central

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

A missing tooth can cause serious damage to your self-confidence as it alters your looks as well as smile. It can also lead to various oral health problems like misalignment, temporomandibular joint disorder, speech problems and also other types of dental problems. Hence the best way to replace lost teeth is by getting dental bridges fixed which can be done by any specialized dentist in Leeds Central.
Dental bridges are similar to dentures and implants but are more beneficial and comfortable than the latter. There are various types of bridges like resin-bonded, conventional fixed bridges and cantilever bridges. The last two types require the adjacent teeth to be shaped so that you get a proper fit after the dental bridge implant. But the resin-bonded type need very little shaping done to the adjoining teeth and hence is most preferred for replacing missing front teeth.
Consult a dentist who will examine your teeth as well as the health of your gums and let you know if you can be fitted with a dental bridge. If you are found to be a good candidate for this procedure, he will then proceed to shape your adjacent teeth which function as the support systems for the new bridge. Next an exact impression of your teeth is taken to create the dental bridge; you will have to return another day for the fitting procedure after the bridge has been created to your specifications.
You could also ask the doctor to give you a temporary bridge till the new one is ready. During the next visit, the dentist will fit you with the custom made dental bridge. And you can soon start smiling again with confidence.

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Central Leeds dentist replaces missing tooth with dental bridge

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Having a missing tooth can be very embarrassing and the source of low self-confidence and self-esteem. It can make people reluctant to smile and avoid eye contact, two of the most important communication methods we have. However, it is not just psychological damage that is done by a missing tooth. Teeth act as rigid supports for facial muscles and a missing tooth or teeth can cause facial muscles to sag. This gives a sunken appearance that makes the patient look older.

A gap from a missing tooth can also cause the other existing teeth to lean into it. This can cause interruptions in bite (the way the top and bottom teeth sit together) which can lead to painful jaw conditions called TMJs and subconscious teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. The hollows left by teeth can also be the breeding grounds for bacteria because they are difficult to clean with regular toothbrushes.

It is important therefore to replace the missing tooth as soon as possible. There are several options available to replace a tooth, but one of the most popular choices is called a dental bridge. This involves using artificial crowns on either side of the gap to support an artificial tooth or teeth, also known as the pontic.

There are three main types of dental bridge. The traditional fixed bridge, as mentioned above that uses crowns to secure the pontic; the resin-bonded bridge where the pontic is supported by resin bonded strips fixed to the adjacent teeth (only suitable for patients with strong existing teeth); and the cantilevered bridge where there is only an existing tooth on one side of the gap so the pontic will be cantilevered against two or more teeth on that side.

Dental bridges can last up to ten years if properly maintained and provide an adequate replacement for a real tooth. They preserve the position of the other teeth and act as support for the facial muscles. They provide the aesthetic appearance of normal teeth and help maintain a healthy looking profile. If you suffer from missing teeth ask a Central Leeds dentist about dental bridges.

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Central Leeds dentist replaces tooth with dental implant

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

3177562_blogWe all want a beautiful smile full of shiny white, straight teeth. It can make you feel confident and comfortable with your appearance. Similarly, a flawed smile can be the source of great embarrassment and self-confidence issues. This is never more true than for patients with missing teeth. A missing tooth, whether cause by sporting injury or tooth decay, carries with it a certain stigma that most of us would probably wish to avoid.

There are also physiological reasons why a missing tooth can be a problem. When a tooth is missing form the tooth line it can cause all the other teeth to lean into the space. This can cause interruptions with bite that can be irritating and even lead to painful conditions called TMJs. Teeth also act as rigid supports for facial muscles and if missing can cause the facial muscles to sag giving a sunken appearance that causes patients to look much older. However, there are several artificial dental substitutes which can be used to replace a missing tooth.

The most realistic and sturdy of all of these is called a dental implant. Although a slightly more complex procedure than a partial denture or a dental bridge, an implant provides the most realistic alternative to a natural tooth. A dental implant is a small cylindrical screw that is anchored directly into the jawbone. A post is then attached to this and then finally a dental crown. Because the implant is anchored to the bone it is very solid and provides a level of stability only beaten by a real tooth. This means that patients have an added feeling of security over the more fragile dentures and bridges. It also means patients are not prohibited from eating certain foods they might be with other dental substitutes.

After the screw has been implanted it will need to be left for several weeks to allow the bones and gums to fuse with the implant in a process called osseointergration. This requires the jawbone to be in a good condition and means that certain patients may not be suitable for dental implants.

If you are suffering form lost confidence due to a missing tooth, or feel that your existing teeth may be affected, consult a Central Leeds dentist and ask about dental implants.

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City of Leeds dentist replaces missing tooth with dental bridge

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

For patients suffering from a missing tooth or teeth, one cosmetic procedure that can restore the appearance of a full set is a dental bridge. By bonding a dental bridge to existing teeth either side of the gap, a dentist can create a natural looking and seamless artificial bridge.

Dental bridges are a tried and tested method of cosmetic dentistry that not only enhance the visual appearance of the teeth but can have other more significant and long lasting benefits. If left untreated, the gaps left by missing teeth can have adverse effects on the remaining natural teeth of a patient. Teeth either side of the hole will naturally lean into the empty space. This will have a negative effect on the bite and profile of the patient and can cause sagging of the facial muscles giving a sunken appearance. Even slight adjustments in bite can lead to uncomfortable irritation and unconscious teeth grinding, known as bruxism, which can have very detrimental effects on the teeth. It is also common for bacteria to thrive in the hollows left by missing teeth unless a very strict regime of oral hygiene is observed.

The three main types of dental bridge are the traditional fixed bridge – when the bridge is attached to two crowns, one either side of the bridge; the resin bonded bridge – when the bridge is bonded to existing teeth with metal strips and composite resin usually for patients with healthy existing teeth; and the cantilever bridge – when there are only existing teeth on one side of the missing tooth and the bridge needs to be secured to two or more teeth on that side. A City of Leeds dentist will be able to assess which bridge will be most effective for you.

Usually requiring several visits to the dentist to fit, a dental bridge is usually a fairly pain-free procedure that can restore the appearance of natural teeth for up to seven years, with good cleaning, oral hygiene and regular check ups with a City of Leeds dentist.

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Replace your missing tooth with a dental implant from a City of Leeds dentist

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

A missing tooth that has been caused by decay or has been knocked out in an accident can not only be cause of embarrassment but can also cause further dental complications if not replaced. Existing teeth tend to lean into empty spaces in the toothline causing sagging of the facial tissue and complications that can alter bite and profile. A missing tooth can also allow bacteria to develop on food particles that become lodged in the recess. This develops into plaque, a filmy substance that covers teeth and causes tooth decay. It is therefore very important that missing teeth are replaced as soon as possible.

There are several options to replace a missing tooth, but one of the most popular is a dental implant. An implant offers the most stable substitute for a missing tooth and also one of the most realistic.

The implants themselves are cylindrical screws that are anchored into the jawbone, which act as a stable base for an artificial tooth (also known as a crown). They are suitable for most patients but work especially well for those who have a strong jaw, healthy gums and existing teeth that are in good condition. The implant is usually made of titanium or other lightweight metal that is suitable for use in the human body. Because the implant is fixed, it is incredibly sturdy and eliminates the need to use messy adhesive or occasionally fragile dental bonding. This means that unlike other cosmetic dental procedures certain foods are not off limits. Also, because of the stability and lifelike structure of a dental implant, it will help to prevent any muscle alteration in the cheeks and jaw.

The procedure is completed over two or three visits to the dentist. In the first place, the screw is anchored to the jawbone, just slightly proud of the surface. It is then allowed plenty of time to heal and fuse with the bone and gums, in a process called osseointergration. A post is then attached to the screw before finally the crown is secured to the post.

A dental implant is certainly the most authentic replacement for a real tooth. Many patients who have implants are less aware of them being artificial than patients who opt for dental bridges. A City of Leeds dentist can assess your bone structure and gums to see if a dental implant would be viable treatment for your missing tooth and advise as to how much the procedure may cost.

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