Why Replacing Missing Teeth is Crucial

1. Preventing Bone Loss

One of the most critical reasons to replace missing teeth is to prevent bone loss. When a tooth is missing, the jawbone in the empty space deteriorates due to lack of stimulation. Dental implants, one of the most popular replacement options, help to maintain bone density because they mimic the root of the tooth and provide the necessary stimulation to the jawbone.

2. Maintaining Proper Alignment

Teeth play a crucial role in keeping each other in proper alignment. When a tooth is missing, the adjacent teeth may shift into the empty space, causing misalignment. This can lead to bite problems and increase the risk of developing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. By replacing the missing tooth, you can maintain the alignment of your teeth and prevent these issues.

3. Improving Functionality

Missing teeth can make it difficult to chew food properly, which can affect your digestion and overall nutrition. Speech can also be impacted, especially if the missing teeth are in the front. Replacing missing teeth restores full functionality, allowing you to eat and speak without difficulty.

4. Enhancing Aesthetics and Confidence

A complete set of teeth enhances your smile and boosts your confidence. Gaps from missing teeth can cause self-consciousness and reluctance to smile or speak in public. Dental restorations like bridges, implants, and dentures can fill these gaps and restore your natural appearance.

Options for Replacing Missing Teeth

1. Dental Implants

Dental implants are a popular and long-lasting solution. They consist of a titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone, which acts as a root for the artificial tooth. A crown is then attached to the post. Implants look and feel like natural teeth and can last a lifetime with proper care.

2. Dental Bridges

A dental bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth anchored by crowns on the adjacent natural teeth. Bridges are a good option if the teeth next to the gap are healthy and can support the bridge. They are less invasive than implants and can be a quicker solution.

3. Dentures

Dentures are removable appliances that can replace several missing teeth or a full arch. They are custom-made to fit your mouth and can restore both appearance and functionality. While they may require some adjustment time, modern dentures are more comfortable and natural-looking than ever before.

Replacing missing teeth is not just about aesthetics; it’s about maintaining your oral health and overall well-being. If you’re dealing with missing teeth, don’t wait to seek treatment. Schedule a consultation with our dental team at Highland Woods Dentistry in London, today to explore the best replacement options for your needs. Let us help you restore your smile and improve your quality of life! Contact us now, by calling (519) 668-7574, to book your appointment.

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At Highland Woods Dentistry, we want you to feel confident and informed about your dental treatment options. In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the different types of dental crowns, and the benefits of each type so you can make an informed decision and achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are a popular choice because they are highly aesthetic and can match the color and shape of your natural teeth. They are also highly durable and can last for many years with proper care. Porcelain crowns are a good option for patients who want a natural-looking restoration that is long-lasting and durable.

Metal Crowns

Metal crowns are highly durable and can withstand heavy biting forces. They are often used for back teeth that require strong support. However, metal crowns are not as aesthetically pleasing as porcelain crowns, and some patients may prefer a more natural-looking option.

Ceramic Crowns

Ceramic crowns are a newer type of crown that offers the best of both worlds: they are highly aesthetic and durable. They are made from a material that closely resembles natural teeth and can be color-matched to your existing teeth. Ceramic crowns are also highly durable and long-lasting.

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns are a type of ceramic crown that is extremely strong and durable. They are often used for back teeth that require strong support. Zirconia crowns are highly biocompatible and do not cause allergic reactions, making them a good option for patients with metal allergies.

When choosing a crown, there are couple things you should know:

1.  It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene habits to prevent decay and damage to your crown. Third,
2. You should avoid using your teeth as tools or biting down on hard objects that could damage your crown.

The benefits of each type of crown depend on your individual needs and preferences. However, in general, all types of crowns can provide the following benefits:

• Protects and strengthens the damaged tooth
• Restores function and chewing ability
• Improves the appearance of the tooth
• Prevents further decay or damage
• Provides long-term durability and stability

We hope that this blog post has helped you understand the different types of dental crowns available, and how each one can benefit your oral health. At Highland Woods Dentistry in South London, we are dedicated to providing personalized care that meets your unique needs. Whether you need a crown for cosmetic or functional reasons, we’re here to help you achieve your dental goals. Don’t hesitate to call and schedule a consultation with Dr. Luzzi to learn more about which type of dental crown is right for you.

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Dental bridges are a dental restoration procedure that helps replace missing teeth. Rather than being directly implanted into your jaw, dental bridges use adjacent natural teeth as anchors. If you are unsure if a dental bridge will solve your problem with missing teeth, please consult your dentist or book an appointment for a dental examination. 

The staff at Highland Woods Dentistry is equipped to answer any of your inquiries and help you discover the most appropriate solution to your dental restoration needs.

What Are Dental Bridges?

A dental bridge is a permanent dental prosthesis that replaces one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges are typically created by an artificial tooth being fused between 2 dental crowns. The bridge will span the area of your mouth that has no teeth. 

A dental bridge is fastened in your mouth by being firmly held in place by your natural teeth on each side of the area that is missing teeth. Dental bridges can also sometimes be held in by dental implants.

When Are Dental Bridges Required?

Dental bridges are an option to replace a missing tooth or teeth. You may require a tooth extraction if your teeth have sustained a substantial impact or damage. If a tooth that has been damaged cannot be repaired, it most likely will need to be replaced by using a dental bridge or dental implant.

A dental bridge may also need to be implemented if a tooth has been subject to severe tooth decay. If the tooth has decayed past the point of being able to be repaired, a dental implant or dental bridge can be used to replace the decayed tooth after it has been removed.

The Difference Between Dental Bridges & Dental Implants

A dental bridge is held in place by the surrounding natural teeth on both sides of the area with missing teeth. A single dental bridge can also be used to replace multiple missing teeth in one area of the mouth.

Dental implants are artificial roots made of titanium that become implanted into the jaw to replace the natural roots of a missing tooth. An artificial tooth or teeth can then be attached to the dental implants and held in place similarly to a natural tooth. 

How Dental Bridges Are Done

First, it needs to be determined whether or not you have healthy enough teeth on either side of the area with missing teeth to sufficiently hold the bridge in place. If you have 2 healthy teeth that can support the bridge, they will be filed down and prepared for the bridge. If your teeth are not healthy enough, or you do not have enough teeth to support the bridge, you may need to get 1 or more dental implants to act as an anchor for the bridge.

Once your teeth have been prepared for the bridge, your dentist will make a model of your teeth by taking impressions and creating a mold of your teeth. The mold will be used to make the artificial tooth/teeth and the 2 crowns that make up a dental bridge. While your permanent bridge is being made, you will be provided with a temporary bridge to protect your mouth until your second appointment.

Once your permanent bridge is ready, your dentist will call you into our office to remove the temporary bridge and place the permanent bridge into your mouth. The crowns of the bridge will either be cemented to your natural teeth or your dental implants beside the area with missing teeth.D

Types of Dental Bridges

Traditional Bridges

This type of bridge is used when there are natural teeth on both sides of the area where teeth are missing. In some cases, your dentist may recommend getting a dental implant instead of a bridge to prevent you from having to alter your natural teeth through filing and preparation for the bridge.

Implanted Bridges

An implant bridge is used if the surrounding teeth of the treatment area are not healthy enough to support a bridge or do not have the necessary amount of teeth required to support a traditional bridge. These bridges are held in place by dental implants rather than natural teeth.

Resin-Bonded Bridges

This type of bridge can sometimes be used when the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are pristine. There is very minimal preparation to the supporting teeth, and the metal bands of the bridge are bonded to the back of natural teeth.

Cantilever Bridges

Cantilever dental bridges can occasionally be used to replace a front tooth where there are minimal chewing forces. With a cantilever bridge, only one of the adjacent teeth is used to support the artificial tooth.

Finding the Right Dental Bridge For You

If you are unsure of what dental bridge is appropriate for your specific circumstances, please do not hesitate to come into our office for an examination. The team of professionals at Highland Woods Dentistry can consult with you on if a dental bridge is an appropriate solution for your needs, and can help discern what type of dental bridge you may require.

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Dental crowns are quite common in modern dentistry. But what exactly is a dental crown? And when do you need one? Your dentist may elect to install a dental crown when your tooth has been damaged or weakened.

If you have a chipped or damaged tooth, our dentist may recommend a dental crown to get your bite back to normal and your smile looking great again. Please contact our office if you experience any tooth pain or have visible damage. But let’s learn more about dental crowns and how they are installed.

What are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown is a cap that is placed over a damaged or worn tooth. These crowns are custom-made prosthetics for each damaged tooth and simulate the functions of your natural teeth. Think of the way a crown sits on the head of a queen or king; that’s how a dental crown sits atop a tooth.

Crowns are placed on teeth that have been damaged or worn but are not completely missing. If the biting surface of your tooth has been compromised, a dental crown will simulate the role of a natural tooth to help with biting, chewing, and speaking. Dental crowns can also simulate the natural colour of your teeth, making them an aesthetic choice for teeth that have been discoloured or visibly damaged.

Reasons to Get a Dental Crown

Much of the time, a dental crown is used to increase the strength of a tooth. A large cavity that is too big for a filling may also require a crown to protect the tooth. Some of the reasons that qualify you as a candidate for a dental crown include:

• Chipped or broken tooth
• Supporting a tooth with a large filling
• Severely worn tooth
• Root canal
• Securing a dental bridge in place
• Covering a discoloured tooth

Types of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials. Your decision to select a certain material will depend on durability, strength, price, and aesthetics. Any permanent dental crown should last for 10 years or more. Some other factors that influence the decision on crown type include:

• Tooth’s location
• Position of gum tissue
• Amount of natural tooth remaining
• Main function of the tooth being capped

Metal Dental Crowns

Metal crowns are most often made of gold but can also include palladium, nickel and chromium. The major advantage of metal crowns is their strength — they will rarely chip or crack and wear very slowly. They are very resilient against biting and chewing. 

Metal dental crowns naturally have a metallic appearance that’s in contrast to your natural teeth. Most people elect for metal crowns in back molars. But a great choice for any tooth if you like the look of a shiny smile!

Porcelain Dental Crowns

These crowns are the most natural-looking, commonly used for front teeth. Porcelain is not as strong as metal and will have a shorter life span. All-porcelain or all-ceramic crowns are more likely to chip than metal crowns and may wear down opposing teeth more quickly. But all-porcelain crowns are colour matched to be barely visible. 

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

This type of crown combines the strength of metal with the look of porcelain. They won’t chip or break as easily as all-porcelain crowns. Porcelain is fused to the metal crown so that the strong metal is in contact with your tooth but the appearance is still natural-looking. 

Sometimes a thin line exposing the metal can show when gums recede. This is a common choice for both front and back teeth.

Pressed Ceramic Dental Crowns

This type of crown uses a pressed ceramic core that is stronger than simple porcelain, often made from zirconium dioxide. Porcelain is used to cap the crown giving it a more natural look. A good choice that combines durability and natural aesthetics, pressed ceramic crowns are used for front and back teeth.   

All-Resin Dental Crowns

All-resin crowns are the least expensive but most brittle material commonly used. Because of this, all-resin crowns are almost always temporary crowns. Made of plastics and glass beads, these crowns are likely to wear faster than metal or porcelain caps.

How are Dental Crowns Installed?

Dental crowns are a common method for dentists to strengthen teeth and return normal functionality to damaged teeth. When your dentist confirms the need for a crown following a dental exam, you will return to the dentist for the following procedure:

1. Preparation & Anesthetic

The tooth being repaired is examined and possibly x-rayed. An impression of your tooth is made that will determine the shape of your temporary crown. If necessary, a local anesthetic will be administered.

2. Tooth Filing

So that the tooth can be installed securely and successfully, your dentist will file the tooth down. The outer layer of your tooth is removed, which will be replaced by the permanent crown.

3. Tooth Impression

An impression is made of the filed-down tooth and the area surrounding the crown placement. This will determine the shape of the permanent dental crown, which will be custom-made based on the impression.

4. Temporary Crown

To bridge the gap until your permanent crown is ready, the dentist will install a temporary crown. This protects the filed-down tooth and allows you to chew and bite in the meantime. Keep in mind that temporary crowns may not resemble the permanent crown in shape or colour. 

5. Permanent Crown Placement

When the permanent crown has been manufactured you will return to the dentist. At this time the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is placed. After checking for accuracy in fit, function, and appearance, this dental crown will be cemented to the filed-down tooth. And voila, you’ve got a strong, protected tooth again!

Smile Like Royalty

Dental crowns help you bite and chew better and protect teeth that have been damaged with cavities. A dental crown helps strengthen a compromised tooth and allows you to function without worrying about breaking or chipping. There are several materials used for these dental prosthetics and placing a crown is a common and safe procedure.Beyond your regular dental check-ups, it’s always a good idea to book an appointment if you feel tooth pain. Brittle teeth can be made strong again with dental crowns. And crowns cover up discoloured or disfigured teeth that may be affecting your confidence. You can smile big and bright when your damaged teeth are made whole again with dental crowns.

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