A smile can be completely ruined by a missing tooth, no matter how nice the other teeth are, the missing tooth will immediately draw the attention of the eye. This can be a source of great anxiety for people with missing teeth who often seek to replace it with an artificial one from an Epping dentist. There are several options for replacing missing teeth ranging from permanent dental implants to more temporary and removable partial dentures. One other option for restoring the appearance of a smile is a dental bridge.

Missing teeth also need replacing for a number of dental health reasons. Once you have lost one tooth it increases your chances of losing more, especially if the tooth was lost to decay or gum disease in the first place. Vacant spaces in a dental arc are notorious breeding grounds for bacteria as the hollows in the soft gum tissue are very difficult to clean effectively. This increases the chances of further infection spreading around the mouth. Missing teeth also encourage movement of the teeth, which can rotate and lean into available space causing changes in bite and profile. This can cause irreversible damage to the facial tissue and be the cause of nasty jaw and muscular complaints.

Dental bridges solve all of these health problems as well as providing a cosmetic restoration to the smile. The bridge itself consists of an artificial tooth attached by dental crowns or resin bonded strips on either side of the missing tooth. This creates the impression of a full set of teeth without having to replace the whole tooth, root and all. Depending on the condition of the remaining teeth and how well the bridge is cared for it can last for up to twenty years before it will need replacing, and can carry out most of the functions of a real tooth. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

Losing your teeth at any age in life can be very unpleasant and can cause a great deal of anxiety and pain. However, there are many options still available and thanks to modern technology and improved dentistry, the option of wearing dentures no longer carries the stigma it once did.

Modern dentures are more comfortable, more realistic and stronger than the dentures of the past and are designed to fit the mouth better to prevent the anxiety caused by loose dentures. In the past, many denture wearers had to resort to using sticky and messy dental adhesive gels or strips. These prevented many people form eating and drinking what they wanted. A good pair of dentures should stay firmly in place by suction alone, allowing the wearer to live a normal life.

For those patients who still require the extra security there is now the possibility of mini-implants to act as a secure base for the dentures. A series of small titanium screws are anchored directly into the jawbone to act as a solid base for a set of dentures, which can be fitted with snap on/snap off clips so that your dentures will never come out unless you want them to.

Patients with several missing teeth can also benefit form a partial denture, which can be worn to restore the cosmetic appearance of the teeth and regain some of their functionality. Partial dentures and full dentures also act as support for facial muscles, preventing sagging of the facial tissue common in patients with few or no teeth. Brentwood dentist are able to offer advice and treatment to patients considering dentures or partial dentures to help them regain their confidence and the full use of their teeth. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.