Tooth Replacement

Even though you diligently brush and floss you may still lose a tooth and if this happens you should replace it ... not just for appearance, but also for the health of your remaining teeth. When you lose a tooth to decay, injury or gum disease, the neighbouring teeth have to work a lot harder chewing and biting to get the job done. If the missing tooth is not replaced, the teeth around the gap will be damaged by the extra stress and will start to shift and move around. That puts them in danger of decay and without treatment, there's a good chance that your bite will change and you'll eventually find more gaps in your smile.

Some of the common ways to bring back your smile are a denture, a bridge, or an implant. A denture is a removable replacement for several or all of your teeth. A bridge is a porcelain tooth permanently attached to your natural teeth. I mplants are tiny titanium posts, which are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth.

Please scroll down to learn more about implants and bridges.


Dental Implants

One of the most talked about new dental procedures is tooth implanting. Dental implants have been done for more than twenty years and have helped thousands of people to eat, smile, and speak with confidence.

A dental implant is a natural-looking substitute tooth that is surgically threaded or implanted in the jaw to replace missing teeth.

The dentist places a metal anchor into the jawbone and over a period of about six months, bone grows around the anchor to hold it in place. The anchor is then fitted with an artificial tooth that looks and feels just like the real thing. Over time, the gums heal and grow naturally around the implant.

Implants are becoming a popular alternative to dentures because they work just like real teeth. In some cases an implant can be used to fix a removable prosthesis such as a partial denture. But implants can also make excellent replacements for single missing teeth or gaps. Traditional methods for correcting these flaws such as bridgework often mean filing down healthy teeth. Getting an implant can solve the space problem without compromising neighbouring teeth.

Dental implants are an exciting option that has changed the lives of many people. But they are not for everyone. A lot depends on your particular case and how healthy you bones and gums are. The process may take several months and requires a serious commitment to extra oral hygiene.

Whether you're missing one, or all of your teeth, dental implants can get you smiling again. We can help you weigh your options and make the right choice.


Bridges

Every tooth in your mouth provides support, structure and function to the jaw. Absence of even a single tooth can cause the adjacent teeth to drift into the position of the missing tooth.

A bridge is a porcelain tooth permanently attached to your natural teeth. It is permanently cemented into the mouth, providing solid support to the structure of the jaw and preventing adjacent teeth from shifting. For lost teeth, we build a special dental bridge that spans the spaces left by missing teeth.

Depending on where they'll show up in your smile, bridges can be made of gold, porcelain-faced gold or all porcelain.

Getting a bridge takes only two appointments. A thorough examination is done and then the neighbouring teeth are prepared for the bridge. An impression or replica of your mouth is taken so a bridge can be custom designed by an expert lab technician. At your next appointment the bridge is trimmed and adjusted before it is fixed in place. We take care to match colour and appearance and to restore your bite so neighbouring teeth don't have to work overtime. The end result is a healthy happy smile for many years to come.

There are many procedures that can be performed to enhance your smile, your self-esteem, and your personal success. Often we can even improve your smile in just a few days! Come and see us for a free consultation so we can evaluate your smile and explain how you can get a one week smile makeover!