If a tooth becomes damaged either by decay or as the result of an accident it may be possible that bacteria can penetrate the protective layer of enamel and cause an infection in the inner, sensitive part of the tooth. This could be the source of great pain and further dental complications, which could ultimately result in losing the tooth.

It may be possible to add further protection to the tooth and prevent bacteria infiltrating by filling the cavity with composite bonding, but if the damage is too large it will require a dental crown. Dental crowns cover all parts if the tooth that are exposed above the gum line. Traditionally they have been made from metal, ceramic or a combination of both. However, more and more patients are opting for ceramic porcelain crowns because of the superior visual appearance of porcelain. This is because porcelain bears a distinctive resemblance to tooth enamel and can be closely matched for colour.

The crown will be designed and manufactured by your London dentist either from dental moulds or using the latest digital x-ray technology. The crown will then be sculpted to fit your tooth perfectly and look similar to the other teeth. The dentist will then need to remove some of the enamel from the tooth so that the new crown can fit over it comfortably. It will then be cemented in place with dental bonding.

Dental crowns then protect the tooth from any further damage and the threat of nasty dental infection. Crowns are also used for several other reasons including after a root canal treatment and to support a dental bridge or other dental restoration.

One of the most popular ways of replacing missing teeth currently is a dental implant. Patients seem to favour dental implants over other dental substitutions such as dental bridges and partial dentures as they provide a grater degree of realism and stability.

A dental implant is the small screw that your London dentist places directly into the jawbone. Because the implant goes directly into the bone it is important that you have strong bones in order for the procedure to be successful. If the bone is insufficiently strong, there may be a chance to have a graft of bone from another area to make it possible for the jaw to accept the implant.

Once the implant is positioned in the jaw it will take a few weeks for it to fuse with the other tissue to become absolutely solid and prepared for the next stage of the treatment. This involves attaching a post to the implant to act as a base for a dental crown, usually made of porcelain and chosen specially to look natural in terms of size and colour.

The dental implant is the only form of dental restoration to replace the whole of the tooth in this way. It is this aspect that gives the implant the advantage and allows the patient to eat and drink every thing they want, something that is not always possible with other replacements.

One of the other major benefits of the dental implant is the fact that it lasts a lifetime. Dental bridges and dentures often have a lifespan of between ten and twenty years before they will need replacing. Once a dental implant is in place you are free to treat it as a normal tooth and carry on with your life.

Losing a tooth to decay or in an accident can be painful and cause a series of long-term dental complications. As well as the pain and cost of treatment, missing teeth are also quite unattractive, especially if somewhere very visible in the dental arc. They can also cause many other underlying dental and wider health problems such as rotating teeth and bite problems. Therefore, Central London dentists always recommend that you try and replace missing teeth as soon as you can.

One of the most popular ways of replacing a missing tooth is to have a dental bridge. This involves constructing an artificial tooth attached by dental crowns on either side of the gap. Alternatively, if the teeth are in good condition, the new tooth can be attached by resin bonded strips.

The artificial tooth, known as the pontic from the Latin for bridge, is usually made from ceramic and chosen to closely match the size and colour of the other teeth. This is attached to dental crowns on either side that hold it in place, bridging the gap. Dental bridges can last as long as twenty years if they are properly cared for, which involves cleaning it by brushing and flossing just as you would a real tooth. It may be necessary to avoid certain foods which could damage the bridge by being too hard. Your dentist will be able to give you more information about how to look after your dental bridge.

A dental bridge will not only restore the aesthetic appearance of your smile which was lost with the tooth, but it can also restore the functionality and make sure that no further damage can be caused to the other teeth, facial tissues and the profile. If you have a missing tooth and are keen to replace it with a substitute, make an appointment to discuss dental bridges with your dentist.

A dental bridge is a unique and crafty way to have a missing tooth replaced without all the fuss and time involved with a dental implant. It is a painless and quick solution that has been very successfully performed for many decades, and it doesn’t cost a fortune says a City of London dentist. If you`re fortunate enough, the treatment will start before you lose the tooth in question. If you`ve already lost it, the gap left will be used to make the replacement tooth. It is not a good idea to leave a missing tooth without any further treatment, the teeth either side will lose their support from the missing tooth and slide into the space. This can cause a misaligned tooth or teeth; and therefore more problems. Using digital photos and X-rays, and often a mould made of the teeth; your dentist will scan them into a computer. the dentist will calculate the exact size and dimensions of the whole bridge. The bridge itself will consist of the missing tooth and two more teeth either side; these will have a hollow inside which is shaped to fit over the teeth on each side. They are all made from porcelain which is very hard wearing and look, feel and act just like the real thing. The two teeth either side are called anchors, for obvious reasons, and are slide over the side teeth after they have been shaped to take the bridge. For an idea of what I mean think of a piece of furniture you are fitting together, you will be using round dowels to secure the pieces together, and now think of the anchor as the piece you are fitting over the dowel. This is now cemented to secure and seal it from infections. The bridge will give you many years of care free usage, and the best part is that no-one but you will know.

Modern dentistry has advanced to the stage that missing teeth can now be replaced with functional and realistic dental replacements. In the past, dental substitutes were usually in the form of plates or partial dentures which were not permanently attached. These were often prone to coming loose or falling out at inopportune moments. Another, more modern option for missing teeth is to have a more permanent dental bridge fitted.

A dental bridge is attached to the existing teeth with either dental crowns or resin-bonded strips, depending on the condition of the teeth. An artificial tooth, also called a pontic, is the attached to the crowns or resin strips to fill the gap left by a missing tooth.

Missing teeth need to be replaced for a number of reasons. Firstly, and most obviously, are the aesthetic reasons. Missing teeth can be quite unpleasant and very noticeable, especially if in the teeth at the front. They can also have adverse effects on profile and facial muscles, which can sag if several teeth are missing. Missing teeth can also cause there to be changes in the way the other teeth are aligned. Gaps can allow teeth to lean and rotate, which may cause painful bite interruptions and jaw conditions.

London dentists offer dental bridges to replace missing teeth as a standard procedure. The cost of a dental bridge varies according to the severity of work needed. A dental bridge can restore the appearance and functionality of a lost tooth and will last for up to fifteen years if properly maintained.

Over the last few years, dental implants have replaced dental bridges and partial dentures as the dental replacement of choice. This is because unlike all the other dental substitutes, a dental implant replaces the whole tooth from root to crown. This gives the patient a more realistic feeling and also provides an added degree of security that can be missing from other dental replacements.

The dental implant itself is a small titanium screw that is anchored directly into the jawbone to act as a base for an artificial tooth. Once drilled into the bone the implant needs to be left for several weeks or even months in order to fuse with the bone and gum tissue. This process is called osseointergration and is crucial to the success of the treatment. For osseointergration to be completely successful, the patient needs to have a sufficiently strong jawbone and gum tissue. This can mean that some patients are not suitable for the treatment especially if they have very bad gum tissue or the missing tooth is the result of a physical trauma which also damaged the tooth socket and jawbone.

In cases where trauma has damaged the jaw it is possible to undergo a bone and tissue graft in order to restore the structure before fitting the implant. This will add a considerable time to the length of treatment however but ultimately the results will be worth it. Dental implants can last a lifetime if you are a suitable candidate and remove the anxiety that can occur when using other dental substitutes. Make an appointment with a London dentist to see if you are suitable for a dental implant.

A dental implant is a form of restorative dental treatment used to replace teeth lost during a physical trauma such as a car accident, or due to dental problems such as decay. There are many methods of replacing missing teeth available at Central London dentists and all are important to prevent the risk of further damage, to stop any unwanted movement of teeth and to enable patients to live as normal a life as possible. However, many dentists and even more patients feel that a dental implant has several key benefits over the other forms of restoration.

The first major benefit of the implant is that it is much more solid than a dental bridge or partial denture. Because the implant replaces the root of the tooth, an implant feels and acts a lot more like a real tooth. In other replacements it is only the crown portion of the tooth that is replaced so this can be fragile and cause problems when eating food that is very hard or chewy. An implant is screwed directly into the jawbone so it provides a solid base for the dental crown, meaning patients are free to eat what they want, when they want.

This also provides reassurance and confidence tot the patient to an extent that a dental bridge cannot. Patients with bridges are always very aware of the fragility of their replacement, which can cause unnecessary anxiety. There is no need to worry about teeth slipping out or cracking when you have a dental implant.

Dental implants are also incredibly inconspicuous and almost impossible to tell apart from real teeth. Again this is not the case with other dental substitutes like partial dentures. Dental implants can also last a lifetime, significantly longer than a bridge or denture which will last between ten and fifteen years on average.

Having a missing tooth, for whatever reason, can be an embarrassing and unpleasant situation. Not only does it have an adverse affect on confidence and esteem because of its negative aesthetic appearance, but it can also cause a variety of dental health and muscle problems if not replaced. Along with partial dentures and dental implants, the other major restoration available is a dental bridge.

A dental bridge literally involves bridging the gap of the missing tooth using dental crowns for support and an artificial tooth called a pontic. They rely on the patient having reasonably healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth to which the crowns can be attached. A Central London dentist will fit a dental bridge over the course of several appointments, first installing the crowns and a temporary bridge, when satisfied with the crowns, the dentist can then fix the artificial tooth, usually made of porcelain, which is slightly embedded in the gum to give it a more realistic appearance.

There are other types of dental bridge that can be used in certain situations. If the teeth are in particularly good condition and the dentist does not want to remove any enamel to fit a crown, the pontic can be supported by resin bonded strips. If there are only existing teeth on one side of the gap, a cantilever bridge can be used by attaching two or more crowns on that side for support. Dental bridges can last up to ten years if properly maintained. They are not the most sturdy of the dental replacements but they are one of the most affordable.

One of the most common ways of replacing a missing tooth is to have a dental bridge fitted. A dentist will secure two crowns on either side of the gap and bridge the hole using an artificial tooth, creating the appearance of a real tooth.

People can be missing teeth for a number of reasons. One of the most common causes for missing teeth is sporting injury or other head trauma. Having a missing tooth can be very embarrassing as it is very hard to disguise. It can be the cause of self-confidence and esteem issues and make people reluctant to make eye contact. Furthermore, missing teeth can also have a physiological impact on the patient. Missing teeth can cause other teeth in the dental arc to move around creating a disruption to the bite. This can a source of great irritation and even cause painful grinding of teeth, known as bruxism, or jaw conditions known as TMJs. Missing teeth can also cause the facial tissues to sag which can be irreversible if not addressed in time.

Dental bridges are the most common solution and also one of the most affordable. They are fixed substitutes that create the impression of a real tooth. There are three main kinds of dental bridge called the traditional fixed bridge, the resin bonded bridge and the cantilever bridge, which are used according to the condition of the remaining real teeth.

If properly maintained and cleaned, a dental bridge can last up to ten years before it needs to be replaced. It acts as a realistic substitute for a real tooth and support for facial muscles. More importantly it creates the aesthetic impression or healthy teeth removing the need to feel embarrassed. If you are suffering from a missing tooth or considering having an earlier dental substitute replaced, ask a City of London dentist about dental bridges.

It is a common belief amongst Americans that we British have bad teeth. In the past this may have been true as Britain did lag behind the USA in terms of the availability of cosmetic dental treatments. However, in the last twenty years, the standard and availability of cosmetic dentistry in the UK has caught up with our cousins across the pond. Having good teeth is now seen as fundamental to being healthy and attractive and the variety of treatments on offer means this dream is now a reality for all of us.

One of the key factors in having healthy looking teeth is colour. Even the straightest teeth in the world can be spoiled by discolouration and yellow teeth really create an impression of bad health. Discoloration of teeth occurs naturally as we get older just like greying hair, but can also be increased by lifestyle choices such as smoking and consumption of red wine and coffee. However, there is now available an array of treatments that can stem and even reverse this process. A London dentist will be able to offer both in-surgery and take-home whitening treatments that can whiten the colour of your teeth by up to ten shades.

For patients who suffer from chipped, cracked or broken teeth, the application of cosmetic dental bonding, porcelain veneers or a combination of both will be able to restore the integrity and appearance of your teeth. Another common cosmetic dental issue is a missing tooth or teeth. There are a number of options available to patients with missing teeth ranging from the temporary to the permanent. A partial denture or dental bridge offers a more short-term replacement whereas a dental implant can replace a missing tooth with a long-term substitute.

The very latest in dental technology has seen computers playing a greater role in dental technology. 3D imaging and digital x-rays can now create exact representations of the patient’s teeth on a computer and computer aided manufacture means that crowns and veneers can now be fabricated to incredible degrees of accuracy.

Whatever the dental issue with your teeth, modern cosmetic dentistry will have a solution. As procedures become more commonplace and technology reduces treatment time, costs are dropping making these previously expensive treatments available to all.