Replacing missing teeth - continued

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Yesterday, we discussed two options to replace a missing tooth or teeth; A removable partial denture and a Maryland Bridge. Today, we are going to discuss a Traditional (fixed) bridge, Full (Complete) dentures, and Dental Implants.

Traditional (fixed) Bridge - A fixed bridge is a permanent prosthesis that consists of a pontic (artificial tooth), fused between two dental crowns. The fixed bridge may be made out of porcelain , (shaded to match your natural teeth), or gold. The two teeth on either side of the space are drilled down to form a cone like shape. The fixed bridge is then cemented onto these two teeth which hold the bridge into place.


Full (complete) Dentures - Full dentures are used to replace missing teeth when there are no teeth remaining. The denture is made of a pinkish material called acrylic, which resembles your gum tissue. The artificial teeth, either made of plastic or porcelain, are attached to the acrylic base. The denture teeth are shaped and shaded to create a natural look. Dentures can easily be removed by the patient for easy cleaning.


Dental Implant - Dental implants can be used to replace one missing tooth or several missing teeth. An implant is a small titanium screw that is placed into the jawbone. This small titanium screw will act much like the root of a tooth, providing support for the replacement tooth, as the bone begins to bond to the implant. The next step of the procedure involves a tiny post inserted into the implant itself. After this post is placed, the replacement tooth then fits into the post, locking the artificial tooth into place. These implant supported artificial teeth not only look like natural teeth, but feel and function much like your natural teeth. Dental implants are permanent and can not be removed by the patient.

Consult with your dentist about which treatment options are available for you. No matter which option is right for you, whether it would be a traditional (fixed) bridge, a Maryland Bridge, removable partial denture, a full (complete) denture, or a dental implant, it is very important to maintain a good oral hygiene routine to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.