PROSTHETIC TOOTH RESTORATION

Missing or severely decayed teeth can be replaced by many different means and combinations of techniques, such as crowns, bridges, dentures or dental implants. The rebuilding of a smile often requires a blend of these options.

Crowns & Dental Bridge
Traditional single crowns and bridges are custom designed to match all proportions of adjacent natural teeth. Porcelain is custom coloured and shaped in a laboratory to offer each patient a distinctive prosthetic restoration.

Crowns are restorations that cover or cap teeth, restoring them to their natural size, shape, and colour. Even a poorly maintained or badly damaged tooth can benefit from a well designed and correctly placed crown. This cap not only helps appearance, but can also save a tooth that might otherwise be lost.

Procera Crown - This tissue friendly ceramic crown recreates the strength and natural beauty of the mouth. The aesthetic quality is extremely high due to the optimal fit and naturally realistic ceramic. It is produced in a process, which ensures optimal fit, great strength, non-porosity and has a translucence very similar to the natural teeth. Due to its strength in the core material it can be recommended for prosthetic reconstructions anywhere in the mouth.

Bridges are units of false teeth that are fixed to remaining natural teeth to fill a gap. A bridge may take the place of one or more missing teeth and the results can be excellent with good function and aesthetic results. With careful maintenance a well-made bridge can last many years.

A Fixed Bridge is designed to replace a tooth that has been lost, with natural looking non-removable replacement. It can eliminate unsightly gaps by extending or "bridging" a replacement tooth between the teeth on either side of the gap.

Dental Implants - provide the best long term solution. They provide additional support where teeth are missing without putting forces onto adjacent natural teeth. They also stimulate bone growth and may be used to support the replacement of a single missing tooth or a complete functional set for individuals who have lost many or all of their teeth.

		Advantages: secure-the teeth are tightly anchored in the mouth; stable-there is no movement of the teeth during chewing or talking; reliable-peace of mind in knowing that the teeth will not move; bone growth is stimulated; no grinding down of adjacent teeth is necessary; improved oral hygiene, better breath; better health with improved nutrition; improved function and aesthetics.
		Disadvantages: may initially seem costly, but the investment value is actually less costly over time.

Dentures - remain a cost effective method of replacing missing teeth by providing the patient with a removable appliance (prosthesis). Dentures can restore function and acceptable appearance in the mouth as well as the surrounding facial tissues by providing a reliable biting and chewing function. The main disadvantages with the dentures are they are sometimes difficult to tolerate and are subject to slippage during speech and normal movement of the mouth. The bone in the jaw surrounding the missing tooth or teeth continues to recede, and this can lead to gradual collapse of the lower profile of the face.

In many individuals, dental implants can offer a patient an overdenture with far more stability that traditional dentures. More importantly, patients who have had dentures can enjoy non-removable replacement teeth, built upon implants. These function as well as the original natural teeth.

		Advantages: initially the denture can look aesthetically attractive and natural; less costly in terms of initial treatment; may be only option for some conditions; depending upon the quantity of bone, the denture usually feels comfortable initially; a good interim solution for patients undergoing dental implant treatment (osseointegration).
		Disadvantages: continuously causes bone loss long term aesthetics - bone loss creates changes to the face and appearance of the mouth, jaw, and chin, often referred to as "bite collapse"; collapse of the lower third of face accelerates the aging process by increasing the number of pronounced wrinkles around the mouth; movement of denture can irritate or ulcerate the underlying gum tissue; chronic irritation from denture movement can cause soft tissue hyperplasia (excess tissue growth); bone deteriorates under denture due to loss of the roots; long term function-dentures can become loose and uncomfortable as time progresses; some patients experience gagging and discomfort due to the presence of the denture material covering the roof of mouth or under the tongue; speech-some patients experience difficulty with speech due to the presence of the denture in the mouth; taste-dentures can interfere with taste and enjoyment of food; chewing function is only 25% as efficient as natural or permanent teeth; adjustments and frequent refitting are necessary, adding to the cost of maintenance; metal clasps may damage the healthy surrounding teeth; metal clasps that are attached to anchor dentures may be visible when smiling; ill fitting dentures can compromise user's nutrition; denture odour; loss of denture when on vacation or in hospital.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH?

Aside from the obvious effects that missing teeth can have on personal appearance, there are other more serious consequences. When a tooth is lost, a space is created. Normal oral pressures and stress can cause the remaining teeth to shift. This shift can cause healthy, straight teeth to tilt and become unstable, leading to even more tooth loss. Also, the teeth support facial tissue. When gaps are left unrepaired, the tissue "caves in". This can add years to the person's appearance.

The Proven Technique

For years, crowns have been constructed to restore the function of damaged teeth. Today, crowns can be created to look exactly like your natural teeth. Porcelain is often baked onto a durable metal shell. The porcelain is coloured or shaded to blend in with your natural teeth. The damaged, natural tooth is reduced in size so the crown can cover or "cap" the damaged area without appearing too large or out of place.

A non-removable bridge uses crowns on adjacent teeth to support an artificial replacement tooth. If the teeth on either side of the gap are healthy and in good condition, they can easily be used as anchors for the bridge. The crowns are connected to a replica of the missing tooth. This replacement tooth "bridges" the gap between your teeth and restores function while improving appearance.

WE OFTEN WONDER WHICH APPROACH IS THE BEST FOR US? -

- removable dentures, tooth supported fixed bridges, or dental implant supported bridges?

Here is a comparison of several of the most popular choices. While some choices are initially less expensive, they can become costly due to frequent repairs and adjustments.

Comfort is a major factor when making a choice. Appearance is another. Bone loss is in the jaw can cause some prostheses to lose their fit after awhile.

Restoration of broken or chipped tooth Accidents happen, especially during sports. Accidentally broken or chipped teeth can be restored and your own customized mouth guard can be created to protect against these events.

Custom-made mouth guards can prevent damage to the jaw, neck and even the brain - helping to prevent the concussion and damage caused by a heavy blow.

Example of prosthetic constructions: