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.

Having a missing tooth or teeth can be the source of great embarrassment and the root of self-confidence and esteem issues. After all, we all want to have a perfect smile and a missing tooth is a definite barrier to that, but a missing tooth can have other health implications beyond the psychological.

If there is a tooth missing in the dental arc it can cause all the other teeth to lean into the space. This can cause alignment issues that can also affect bite, causing irritation and the development of painful jaw conditions called TMJ. It can also be the case that a missing tooth can cause sagging of the facial tissue. Teeth act as rigid supports for the facial muscles and if they are missing the muscles can lapse giving a sunken and unhealthy appearance to the face. Therefore it is important to replace the missing tooth as soon as possible to limit the effects of a missing tooth.

There are several options for patients with missing teeth. A dental bridge or partial denture provide a more flexible and short-term solution to a missing tooth but many patients find these too flimsy or unstable to be comfortable. One form of artificial tooth provides a stable and realistic replacement for a real tooth and as such is increasingly becoming the choice of substitute for patients. A dental implant is a solid metal screw that is secured directly into the jawbone, to which an artificial crown is attached. Because the implant is anchored to the jaw itself it provides a level of stability second only to a real tooth. With the advances in ceramic technology, the attached crown can also be incredibly lifelike and does not prohibit the eating of certain foods like bridges or dentures.

Dental implants can usually be fitted in two or three sessions with the dentist. The screw will be implanted during the first session and then allowed to fuse with the bone and gum in a process called osseointergration. This usually takes two to three weeks before the remaining parts of the implant can be secured. If you are suffering the embarrassment of a missing tooth or are unhappy with an existing substitute, ask a City of London dentist about dental implants.

A missing tooth can be a source of great embarrassment, it can inhibit the natural inclination to smile, which is one of the most important ways to communicate, and cause self-confidence issues. Furthermore, missing teeth can cause negative alterations in profile and facial tissue sagging, resulting in a sunken appearance, as teeth act as natural supports for facial muscles.

One of the most popular ways to replace a missing tooth is to have a dental bridge. This is an artificial tooth that is anchored onto existing teeth on either side of the gap. A dental bridge can be used to fill one or more empty spaces from missing teeth to produce the appearance of a full set. It can also help to support facial muscles and prevent sagging.

The bridge itself, or pontic as it is also known, will be a ceramic tooth chosen to closely match the size and shade of the existing teeth. It will be secured to the teeth either side of it with two porcelain crowns. By filling the gap, the dental bridge can help to prevent the build up of bacteria in the hollow and also prevent any difficulties arising with bite (the way the top and bottom teeth sit together).

There are several types of dental bridge: the traditional fixed bridge as described above; the resin-bonded bridge, when the pontic is attached to existing teeth with bonding and metal strips; and finally, the cantilever bridge, when there are only existing teeth on one side of the bridge so the pontic will be secured to two or more teeth on that side.

Dental bridges are fixed replacements and cannot be removed. If properly cared for they can last as long as ten years and can help to improve the condition of the other teeth and gums around it. City of London dentists will be able to fit a dental bridge in only few visits

The kind of tooth jewelry previously only the preserve ultra glamorous rap and hip-hop stars is now more available to non-megarich celebrities. The desire to decorate teeth with a jewel or gold is becoming ever more popular. This kind of dental jewel can be attached to the teeth with little or no consequences for the patient.

The only real criterion for having a dental jewel is having existing teeth that are healthy enough to accept one. It is also important to realize that a dental jewel is quite a visible aspect of a smile and will garner many looks from others. While many will be admiring, a dental jewel is not to everyone’s taste.

The application of a jewel is a very simple procedure. There is no need for any kind of anesthetic and the process will most likely be completely painless. The dentist, after assessing which tooth is most suitable to accept a jewel will then make sure it is completely clean (a full dental hygiene check up is often recommended). The jewel is then attached using a similar adhesive to the one used to fix braces and dental bridges. This adhesive does not damage the enamel, which is important to know.

A dental jewel can last a long time but to maximize its life it is important to practice excellent oral hygiene. If the jewel comes loose it is fairly easy to reattach. If you should decide in the future that a jewel is no longer for you it can be removed easily and will not leave any long term staining or damage, providing the teeth have been properly cleaned while the jewel was in place. Ask a London dentist about having a dental jewel to brighten up your smile.

Dental bridges are artificial teeth that are anchored onto existing teeth in order to restore the natural appearance of a full set. They can be used to fill one or more empty spaces in the tooth line. The artificial tooth is known as the pontic and fused between two crowns which are attached to teeth either side of the gap, forming a bridge between them.

Dental bridges are needed to help restore a healthy looking smile and appearance, but can also have some other cosmetic advantages. They can help improve bite by preventing the existing teeth on either side of the gap leaning into the space, which alters the way the top and bottom teeth sit together. In a similar way they can also help prevent any changes in profile brought about by missing teeth. Dental bridges can also help prevent gum disease by stopping food and bacteria accumulating in the gap.

There is several types of dental bridge, but the most commonly used is the traditional fixed bridge, where the pontic (usually ceramic) is anchored to the neighbouring teeth. These bridges are fixed and cannot be removed. Resin-bonded bridges are when a false two is banded to the neigbouring teeth with metal strips secured with resin. Cantilevered dental bridges are only used when there is only a tooth on one side of the gap, so the bridge must be anchored to more than one tooth on that side

The procedure usually involves several visits to the dentist where he will assess what bridge is most suitable and make a mold of the teeth. On successive appointments a City of London dentist will construct the bridge. This may take more than one procedure, as crowns may need to set before being attached to the artificial tooth.

With the correct care a dental bridge can last up to seven years, and can help improve the condition of the teeth and gums around it. Good standards of oral hygiene and regular dental check ups will prolong its life and leave you with the smile you always wanted.