Dentures
Dentures are removable false teeth used to replace missing teeth either partially or fully. Dentures provide excellent esthetics and function in situations where multiple teeth have been lost either from disease or accident.
Three common types of dentures can be made:
- Acrylic dentures
All plastic dentures, which may have small metal clips built in to retain the denture. They are more affordable, and are great in situations where tooth loss is immediate. - Cast dentures
They have a metal base to support the plastic and metal clips to help retain the denture. They are generally stronger and less bulky than acrylic dentures. - Dentures supported by dental implants
Multiple implants are placed by a dental specialist, and the denture is custom built over the implants and is retained by screws into the implants. This provides a more stable base for the denture, and is highly recommended in cases where you have suffered from poor retention of your dentures. At Yonge & Merton Dental, we offer TeethXpress as an implant-supported denture treatment.
Bridges
Bridges are multiple crowns linked together that are used to replace missing teeth. An advantage of using bridges to replace missing teeth is that they are cemented in place and are not removable as is the case with partial dentures. In making bridges the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are used to support the bridge.
Implants
Implants are used to replace teeth that are lost as a result of an accident or dental disease. Implants are used to support crowns, bridges or dentures. Once an implant has been placed by the dental specialist, usually an oral surgeon or periodontist, it can then be restored by a general dentist. Implants are fast becoming the first choice of treatment in replacing missing teeth because of long term success.