Missing Teeth Solutions

Missing teeth can often be replaced by Implants which act like roots of teeth. After they have been fitted and have healed in place, Dentures, Bridges or Crowns may be attached to them. When Dentures are held in place by Implants they do not slip around. If Crowns or Bridges are fitted on Implants, they act like normal teeth.

Patient Information

There are various types of Implants, however the most commonly placed throughout the world are often described as root-form or endosseous Implants. These generally have a cylindrical form and may be threaded like a screw on the outer surface to assist placement.

Single tooth replacement

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A single Dental Implant is designed to replace the missing root and act as a support for the Implant Crown on top.

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Multiple teeth replacement

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An “Implant-supported Bridge” can be placed on two or more Implants.

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Replacement of all teeth

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There are various treatment options to replace all teeth.

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Why do we lose teeth?

There are lots of reasons why teeth either need to be removed or simply fall out. These can include:

Tooth decay
Advancing gum disease
Accidents
Inherited or congenital conditions
Advanced wear and tear due to ageing
Effect of serious infection (including failing root canal treatment)

Why replace missing teeth?

When a tooth is lost the jawbone beneath it begins to shrink and become brittle. This shrinkage is due to a lack of stimulation from the missing tooth – in a similar way to how muscle withers through lack of use. Teeth adjacent to the space created by the lost tooth will then tilt and drift leading to unevenness in your bite and the overall appearance of your smile. Over time this shrinkage can lead to a huge change in facial appearance and the face can collapse through this lack of support. These changes can not only affect your day-to-day ability to chew properly and therefore your diet and nutrition, but may leave people feeling unhappy and self-conscious about their mouth and smile.

What are my options for replacing missing teeth?

For people who have NO remaining teeth the alternatives are:

Removable Dentures
Implants which secure your Dentures in place
Implants which support Crowns and Bridges

For people who have SOME of their own teeth the alternatives are:

Crowns and Bridges supported by Implants and/or teeth
Partial Dentures secured by Implants and/or teeth
Partial Dentures supported by teeth
Bridges supported by teeth

What are the strengths and weaknesses of my options?

Removable Dentures

Removable Dentures use acrylic teeth to fill the spaces. Although relatively inexpensive, this removable option often requires sticky adhesives and can be insecure and uncomfortable. They can also contribute to tooth decay, gum disease and accelerate shrinkage of remaining bone and gum.

Adhesive Bridges

These use metal wings adhered to the back of teeth adjacent to gaps, therefore tooth cutting is minimal or not required. Unfortunately they can become loose so are often regarded as a temporary solution.

Conventional or Porcelain Bonded Bridges

This traditional replacement for missing teeth involves the grinding down of healthy teeth either side of the gap so that Crowns supporting the Bridge can be cemented on to them. Over time the Crowns supporting the Bridge can become loose and lead to decay.

Dental Implants

Dental Implants support the bone and gum and are not attached to adjacent teeth in any way. They create strong, permanent natural-looking teeth to stop bone loss, preserve healthy teeth and help to restore your smile for a more youthful appearance. Dental Implants can be used to replace single teeth or many teeth, including full mouth replacement. They can also be used in conjunction with regenerative techniques such as bone grafting.

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