Dentures & Bridges

Replacing lost or missing teeth has substantial benefits for your health and appearance.

A complete or full denture replaces the natural teeth and provides support for cheeks and lips.

Without this support, sagging facial muscles can make a person appear older and reduce their ability to eat and speak.

A denture is an appliance that is worn to replace lost or missing teeth to enable you to enjoy a healthy diet and smile with confidence. A complete or full denture is one that replaces all of the natural teeth in either the upper or lower jaws. A partial denture fills in the spaces created by lost or missing teeth and is attached to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments.

The base of dentures are called plates and can be made of either acrylic (plastic) or metal. The teeth are normally made of acrylic and can be made to match your natural teeth. This is especially important in the case of partial dentures.

Bridges

Besides having dental implants, there are two main ways to replace missing teeth.

The first is with a removable false tooth or teeth – a partial denture.

The second is with a fixed bridge.

A bridge is usually used where there are fewer teeth to replace or when the missing teeth are only on one side of the mouth. Bridges are usually made of a precious metal base.

If the bridge will show, porcelain is then bonded to the base. Sometimes, there are other non-precious metals used in the base to reduce the cost.

You should replace missing teeth for a number of reasons. Your appearance is one reason.

Another is that the gap left by a missing tooth can mean greater strain is put on the teeth on either side.

A gap can also mean your ‘bite’ is affected because the teeth next to the space can lean into the gap and alter the way the upper and lower teeth bite together.

This can then lead to food getting packed into the gap, which causes both decay and gum disease.