Missing Teeth Replacement

Dental implants offer a permanent solution for your missing teeth.

At Old Mill Dental we have the experience and expertise to bring together the various advanced dental disciplines to create dental implants that not only look good but function correctly and will last for many years to come.

Click here to read more about our dental implant treatments.

Bridges are usually recommended when you have one or more missing teeth which are impacting your smile, appearance, speech and general oral health.

At Old Mill Dental we have the experience and expertise to bring together the various advanced dental disciplines to create bridges that not only look good but function correctly and will last for many years to come.

What is a dental bridge?

When you have one or more missing teeth then a dental bridge may be used to restore the resulting gaps.

A dental bridge is a false tooth or teeth, beautifully created from porcelain that fills the gap and is supported by adjacent teeth or implants.

Bridges can reduce your risk of gum disease, help correct some bite issues and even improve your speech. Bridges require your commitment to serious oral hygiene but will last as many as ten years or more.

Types of Dental Bridges

There are three types of dental bridges:

Traditional Fixed Bridge

A dental bridge is a false tooth, known as a pontic, which is fused between two porcelain crowns to fill in the area left by a missing tooth. There are two crowns holding it in place that is attached to your teeth on each side of the false tooth. This is known as a fixed bridge. This procedure is used to replace one or more missing teeth. Fixed bridges cannot be taken out of your mouth as you might do with removable partial dentures.

Resin-Bonded Bridges

The resin-bonded bridge is primarily used for your front teeth. Less expensive, this bridge is best used when the abutment teeth are healthy and don’t have large fillings. The false tooth is fused to metal bands that are bonded to the abutment teeth with a resin that is hidden from view. This type of bridge reduces the amount of preparation on the adjacent teeth.

Maryland Bridge

In areas of your mouth that are under less stress, such as your front teeth, a Maryland bridge may be used. Maryland bridges are used when there are teeth on only one side of the open space. This procedure involves anchoring the false tooth to one side over one or more natural and adjacent teeth.

The Maryland bridge is an increasingly popular kind of bridge as very few adjustments need to be made to the surrounding teeth when placing the bridge. Maryland bridges are made up of a special resin that is cemented onto the enamel of your teeth and a metal framework. The structure of the bridge helps to improve its strength making Maryland bridges up to three times as strong as their conventional counterparts. An added benefit of Maryland bridges light preparations are that there’s no need to expose the inner part of the tooth known as the dentin. This helps to minimize the risk of you experiencing sensitivity in your teeth following the procedure. Also, as the nearby teeth won’t need to be altered greatly, the process is normally completely reversible.

How your bridge is fitted 

It will take at least two visits to your dentist to have a bridge fitted and adjusted correctly. On your first visit, preparatory work will be done, such as making space for new crowns for a fixed bridge. Your dentist will then take a mould of your teeth from which your bridge will be made. On your next visit, your bridge will be fitted and adjusted to ensure a correct bite. It is unlikely your dentist will permanently fix your bridge until you’ve worn it for a few weeks and are both happy with the fit and feel. It will then be fixed permanently into place.

Caring for a dental bridge

Even the best-fitting bridge will still have gaps around and beneath it, and these can quickly accumulate damaging debris if you do not follow a strict hygiene regime. You should pay particular attention to the false tooth that forms the bridge, cleaning and flossing regularly. Extra care should also be given to the supporting teeth on either side of the bridge, as, without these, the bridge will fail.

There is a range of specially adapted tools to help you access the awkward areas around a bridge, and your dentist or hygienist will be happy to demonstrate these for you.

Alternatives to a dental bridge 

The only alternatives to a dental bridge are dentures or implants. Single-tooth dentures can be uncomfortable and awkward where only one or two teeth are involved and are not generally recommended for this purpose. Dental implants involve having a false tooth fixed to a titanium post that has been screwed into the jawbone. This can be an expensive and invasive process and is only suitable for people who are medically fit, with healthy gums and thick jawbones.

A denture is a removable or fixed plate that holds one or more artificial teeth.

If you wish to replace one or more missing teeth, dentures may provide a solution for you. Dentures are made from robust and durable materials and mimic the appearance of the teeth and gums to give you a natural finish.

After the dentures are completed, there may be a period of adjustment as your facial musculature and oral tissues get used to wearing them. In addition, we will show you how to take care of your gums, teeth and denture hygiene during the process.

Complete dentures are made when there are no teeth present that can support the denture.

Partial dentures are made when there are some teeth present to help support the denture.

Advantages of Dentures

• Natural appearance of face
• Minimally invasive Dentistry
• Allows food to be chewed correctly by providing more tooth surfaces to chew upon

I am unhappy with my current set of dentures- how can they be improved?

You’ve come to the right place! At Old Mill Dental you will receive advanced and most up-to-date dental techniques to improve upon the design and construction of your dentures.

How will dentures affect my ability to chew?

When you have missing teeth, you obviously become unable to chew effectively in that part of the mouth. When the gaps are replaced correctly, it allows you to chew more efficiently so that you can enjoy a more varied and exciting diet.

How will dentures impact my speech?

Losing teeth, especially anterior teeth have an impact on our pronunciation. Replacement of these teeth may improve your ability to speak clearly.

What are the alternatives to dentures?

Dental implants may be placed in the jaw to support a fixed denture/bridge, eliminating the need for a removable denture. Though this may be a more costly option, the more natural feel and appearance may be worth the investment. Contact us to find out if you are a suitable candidate for implants!