Prosthodontics – Repairing and Replacing Missing Teeth

Our specialist dentists in Bedford offer a number of options for replacing teeth that have been lost.

Even if we look after our teeth and gums well, most of us will probably lose a tooth, or a few teeth, as we get older. Some of this might be down to accidental damage, neglect when we were younger or just through wear and tear caused by age. As this is often a given, the next step is to look at, or at least plan, for when this happens.

One option of course, is to leave a gap in the teeth but we strongly discourage that for reasons that we have mentioned in previous blogs. The good news is that there are some good to excellent teeth replacement methods open to our Bedford dental patients and our specialist prosthodontists aim to help restore comfort, aesthetics and functionality by using some of the following treatments.

Crowns

Crowns, in themselves, are not used to directly replace a missing tooth, but are used as part of dental bridges and implants as we will see shortly. Where they are especially useful though is in the restoration and preservation of teeth that have suffered significant damage or decay. Using a crown to strengthen the tooth should give it a reasonable amount of time before the patient has to consider the next step of looking at replacement options.

Dental crowns are usually made from ceramic, porcelain or a mix of metals and ceramics, and offer a good degree of strength, allowing the tooth to remain in a functional state for a number of years.

Bridges

A bridge is a reasonably secure option for replacing missing teeth as it consists of a replacement tooth or number of consecutive teeth that are attached, via a “bridge”, to the teeth either side of the space that has been left. They are typically secured in place by using crowns. The concern of many patients though is that in order to do this, those teeth, often perfectly healthy ones, need to be shaped to accommodate the crowns that will hold the bridge, and to secure it in place. For this reason, while it does provide a good option, it is not quite as common as it used to be for tooth replacement purposes.

Dentures

Dentures still have a role to play for many patients. They provide a fairly natural appearance and offer a good degree of function as well. In most cases, there will be no need for any invasive dentistry to be carried out and are therefore also a popular option with nervous patients of The Dental Centre Bedford. If cost is a factor, they are also at the more affordable end of the range of prosthodontics that we offer. They are not without potential drawbacks though.

Some patients find that keeping their dentures stable in the mouth can be difficult. They also require some ‘fiddly’ maintenance which requires them to be taken from the mouth for cleaning and also soaking overnight. They are still popular with patients, at least until they have experienced these possible issues, but we often encourage patients to consider dental implants instead as we believe these offer the best solution available for many of our Bedford patients.

Dental implants

You might ask why our specialist prosthodontist team believes that dental implants offer the best solution for missing teeth. The simple answer is that they are the only ones that replace the root of the tooth as well as the crown. This part (which is actually the ‘implant’) is placed into the jawbone and allowed to bond with it. With the artificial root now securely in place, a crown is then added to the top of it. This provides a natural looking as well as a natural feeling tooth. As long as you look after the implant to keep it healthy, it can last for twenty years and often many more, providing security and without the movement that denture wearers sometimes experience.

The implant procedure should cause no more discomfort than many other invasive treatments though it may last a little longer. You can discover more about the procedure and process during your initial consultation. Another factor for some patients is that they are often a more costly investment; however we will also explain our range of payment plans to help anyone who wishes to go ahead, pay for their implant treatment over a period of time.

When we discuss tooth replacement options with our patients, there are many things to consider. Not only is the appearance important, but also the functionality and practicality. We will be pleased to discuss these and other questions that you might have to help you make an informed decision.

If you have a tooth or teeth missing, or are aware that tooth loss is likely in the not too distant future, why not take the first steps now and arrange to have an initial consultation with us? You can do this by calling The Dental Centre Bedford today on 01234 819868 and our friendly receptionists will be able to book a convenient time for you to attend.