Missing teeth are very noticeable in the dental arc. They can really spoil the appearance of an otherwise healthy and attractive smile. There are many ways to replace a missing tooth such as dental implants and partial dentures or plates, but one of the most cosmetically pleasing is a dental bridge.

A dental bridge consists of fitting two crowns to the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth and using this to bond an artificial tooth, or pontic, to give the appearance that the tooth has been replaced. The pontic can be made of numerous materials but is usually porcelain and chosen to closely match the colour of the remaining teeth. If the teeth on either side of the gap are in particularly good condition, the dentist may opt to resin bond the pontic in place using strips rather than remove any healthy enamel unnecessarily. A cantilever bridge is when the missing tooth only has remaining teeth one side. In this case two or more dental crowns will be placed on that side to act as extra support for the artificial tooth.

Dental bridges not only restore the cosmetic appearance of the teeth but also prevent any further movement of the teeth that can happen when a tooth is missing. This can encourage the remaining teeth to move and rotate causing bite interruptions. These can be the cause of painful and irritating jaw conditions such as TMJ.

If you have suffered a missing tooth and are keen to restore the appearance of a healthy smile, make an appointment to see a Chelmsford dentist today and ask about your suitability for a dental bridge. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

Losing your teeth at any age and for any reason can be an embarrassing and unpleasant experience. Whether it is due to dental decay, gum disease or some kind of trauma as a result of an accident, missing teeth can also cause physiological problems that will lead to further dental damage. When teeth are missing they leave hollows, which are often the ideal place for bacteria to build up and attack other teeth. Vacant spaces in the dental arc also cause other teeth to move about and rotate. This can cause complications to do with bite and alignment, leading to jaw complaints such as TMJ and bruxism. Missing teeth can also result in sagging of the facial tissue, which can be very unattractive and permanent if not addressed in sufficient time.

All of this means Maldon dentists are keen to stress the importance of replacing missing teeth as soon as possible. There are a number of options but by far the most realistic is a dental implant. This comes in the form of a small titanium screw, which is anchored directly into the jawbone to act as a base for an artificial tooth. This means that a dental implant is the only dental substitution that replaces the whole of the tooth from top to bottom.

It is this level of stability and realism that make dental implants the option of choice for many patients keen to restore their teeth to the best possible condition. Dental implants mean that you can eat any food you want without the anxiety that your dental restoration could break. It is also possible to have a series of mini-implants to act as a base for a set of dentures. This will alleviate the anxiety common to many denture wearers that their false teeth are going to fall out. Ask your dentist for more information about dental implants.

Orthodontic teeth straightening can have a dramatic impact on your appearance by realigning teeth and improving profile. However, there are also down sides to wearing traditional fixed braces. Many patients do not like fixed metal braces because they can look very unattractive. They also have a reputation for being uncomfortable with the wires and brackets causing irritation to the soft tissue of the mouth and painful brace tightening hurting the teeth and jaw. But the most common complaint by far is the length of treatment time with conventional braces. This can be as much as three years, which if you are a teenager can seem like a very long time.

In the last few years many new orthodontic devices have been released that aim to tackle these problems and improve upon some of the complaints patients have had. One of the most successful of these new treatments is called the Six Month Smile. As you might have guesses from their name, they aim to straighten teeth in an average time of six months. Six Month Smile braces are manufactured in America, where they were first pioneered, and consist of smaller and more discreet wires and brackets. These are usually tooth coloured, which means they reduce the physical impact of braces.

Six Month Smile braces also require fewer unpleasant tightening appointments with the dentist yet still have remarkable treatment accuracy. In fact, the Six Month brace makes an accurate post treatment prediction more likely than with any other brace so you will know how your teeth will eventually look before treatment even begins. Dentists in Harlow are currently offering Six Month Smile braces as an alternative to traditional fixed metal braces. If you or your child requires teeth straightening, ask for more information about how the Six Month Smile treatment could benefit you. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

Until relatively recently, people only went to the dentists for purely health reasons, either for a check up or because they had a dental problem that needed treatment. Over the last twenty years or so, a new type of dentistry has emerged that has no direct health benefits but solely aims to improve the appearance of the teeth.

Our teeth, and particularly, our smile are one of the most recognisable and important parts of our appearance so it is vital that we are happy and comfortable with it. But teeth can be affected by many different conditions and problems that spoil their appearance. This could be alignment issues such as crooked or rotated teeth, discolouration or worn enamel. Cosmetic dentistry aims to correct these problems using dental technology to improve or restore the appearance of teeth and make the patient feel more relaxed and confident with how they look. This is becoming ever more important in our image conscious world.

Some of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments available from Billericay dentists include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and cosmetic bonding. Teeth whitening involves placing a whitening agent against the surface enamel of the teeth, This penetrates and bleaches the areas white making the teeth look cleaner and healthier and the patient younger. Teeth whitening is very effective and capable of whitening the teeth by up to ten shades.

Porcelain veneers are one of the most dramatic and effective cosmetic dentistry treatments. It involves placing ceramic caps over the top of the existing teeth to create the impression of clean, white and even teeth. This completely changes your appearance in just a single appointment. This can be an expensive treatment but similar, if less spectacular results, can be achieved by suing cosmetic bonding. Ask your dentist from more information. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.