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Restoration is the third line of defence for dental care after prevention and intervention. Once decay has been resolved the question becomes how can we rebuild? So join us as we run through the options from fillings to dental implants St Albans.
Reconstruction goals
We consider there are two fundamental goals for every reconstruction. First and foremost is the return of the function of the teeth and the return of their role in speaking and in enjoying food. The second of which is aesthetics. Both are important but most dental procedures are tilted towards function before appearance. This is particularly true of older procedures like metal amalgam fillings compared to their newer white composite alternatives. Some purely cosmetic reconstructions like veneers only consider the aesthetic finish.
Crowns
Crowns are made out of structurally reinforced porcelain in our partner laboratory. They are used to replace a tooth that has become completely compromised above the gum line. One it would be inappropriate to fill, but still has a healthy root that can be the foundation for the prosthetic.
Bridges
Bridges are used to replace two or more adjacent teeth. They are somewhere between a set of linked crowns and a small partial denture.
When a bridge is fixed in place, they rely on neighbouring teeth, with the ends of the bridge held firm with a set of wires. These are twisted around the base of the anchoring teeth. Although we agree this makes bridges non-invasive, it does place additional stress and reduces the lifespan of those neighbouring healthy teeth.
Oral implants
Dental implants St Albans we consider provide the most complete restoration, as they are more than just a prosthetic tooth. They are an artificial root that continues right the way into the patient’s jawbone, acting as a strong foundation that can be used to mount a single crown. As far as restorations go, implants are unique in having the same maintenance routines as original teeth and when well colour matched, they are indistinguishable from natural remaining teeth. We fully endorse this option at UK Dental Specialists as it gives an optimal replacement in many aspects.
Dentures
The method of replacing teeth with dentures is a very good option both aesthetically and economically. Unfortunately, there are some serious limitations to the functionality of dentures. What keeps a denture in place is the friction between the patient’s gum and the base of the denture. Issues with talking and eating start and soon after, they may cause chronic sores on the gum. Too tight and the denture will pinch the soft gum tissue restricting blood flow and creating pressure sores.
What adds to the complexity is that once the teeth have been removed, the underlying jawbone will begin to recede and thin. So a denture that fits perfectly rapidly becomes loose no matter how many times it is refitted or adjusted.
Dentures can be significantly improved by a set of dental implants St Albans. Somewhere between 4 and 6 spread across the dental arch can permanently fix the denture in place, eliminating rubbing and pressure sores, whilst also stimulating bone maintenance and helping to retain some of the volume and density of the jawbone.