These are most commonly used to replace a single missing tooth, either just one missing tooth or multiple missing teeth but missing singly in different sites around the mouth.
Replacing a single tooth can be achieved with a removable denture, conventional bridge or an implant retained crown.
1. Removable denture:
- removable, unnatural
- may damage adjacent teeth with time
- subject to breakage
2. Fix Bridge
The conventional fixed bridge requires that your dentist drills down two adjacent teeth to create space for the crowns of the bridging teeth. Placing a bridge on natural teeth increases the functional forces that are placed upon them and makes the use of floss between the teeth more difficult.
Conventional bridges may need to be replaced if the supporting teeth develop decay or periodontal disease. In a certain percentage of instances while preparing the adjacent teeth for crowns (i.e. drilling down a tooth), the preparatory procedure will cause the nerve of the tooth to die and require root canal treatment to eliminate infection of the nerve. This can lead to a shortening of the lifespan of the supporting tooth, eventually leading to further extractions.
3. Implant Crown: avoiding the need to cut down the adjacent teeth and it also replaces the bone support that has been lost with the missing tooth. This allows normal flossing, as if the replacement implant was still a natural tooth.
After initial assement, implant is placed in the jaw bone. The implant is then be assessed as being stable and ready for restoration an abutment can be attached to the implant that will connect the final crown to the implant. An impression is made, a crown is fabricated and then fixed in place using cement or screws An implant crown is not susceptible to cavities (being made of titanium) but, like any natural tooth, may develop complications if oral hygiene is not maintained. The implant restoration should be routinely evaluated at timely intervals that are determined by the conditions of the remaining natural teeth and the implant.
If you are interested in any of these treatments, then Call us Now on 02 4704 8737 or email us to get started on a procedure that will replace your single missing tooth and bring back that smile.
