Tooth Replacement

A bridge is a fixed dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth by joining an artificial tooth permanently to adjacent teeth or dental implants. One or more missing teeth can adversely affect the appearance and functionality of your smile. Missing teeth can cause a change in occlusion (bite), shifting of the teeth, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), speech impediments, an increased risk for periodontal disease and a greater chance of tooth decay. Dental bridges, like implants and partial dentures, are used to replace missing teeth.

Implants are a convenient way to replace missing teeth. An implant is fixed in the bone where the tooth root would have been initially. When it has fused to the bone, it can be restored with individual crowns, or bridges or can be used to retain dentures. They are moderately more expensive and require time while they integrate with the bone. However they form an excellent platform to support further restoration and when used to replace a single missing tooth, or multiple teeth with separate crowns, you will be able to floss between them like natural teeth.

Tooth replacement with full dentures are frequently loose and cover large areas such as the whole palate which interferes with speech, with taste and the enjoyment of food. At Michael Shipway Dental Cheltenham we provide implant-supported dentures which clip firmly to supporting implants. These dentures are much smaller and do not cover the palate, and they can be smile designed just like any other cosmetic or smile makeover case.