Missing Teeth Options
A missing tooth or teeth can seriously dent your confidence. There are many reasons for missing teeth, from tooth decay to accidents or sports-related injuries. There are also a number of solutions to replace them.
Dentures
Dentures are one of the original solutions for missing teeth. A full set of dentures can be used if all your teeth are missing, they can be used to replace a top or bottom set of missing teeth, a partial denture can replace a few teeth and you can even have a denture made to replace just one tooth. If you have had all your teeth removed, you can usually have a denture fitted straight away, without having to wait for your gums to heal. Your dentist will need to see you prior to the tooth removal to take accurate measurements of your mouth. However, gums and bone may shrink in the first six months after your teeth are removed, which means you may need to have your dentures relined. This involves resurfacing the inside of your dentures to ensure they maintain a snug fit with your gums.
Bridges
Dental bridges are commonly used when there is just a single or a few missing teeth. There are two types of dental bridge commonly used: a conventional bridge, which requires crowns to be fitted to the adjacent teeth with a false porcelain tooth in between; and a bonded bridge, which comprises a false porcelain tooth and a metal wing, which is attached with cement to an adjacent tooth to support the false tooth. You will need at least three appointments to complete the fitting of a dental bridge.
Dental Implants
Dental implants comprise a titanium screw and an artificial porcelain tooth. The screw is fitted to the jaw bone and the artificial tooth is placed like a crown on top. Implants can replace a single missing tooth or several teeth via an implant-retained denture or bridge. For full details of our dental implant service, visit the dental implants page.