When teeth are badly decayed, weak or broken through injury, a crown may be required to restore the tooth tissue that has been lost, and to protect what remains. Custom-made in a dental lab using your dental impressions, a crown is bonded over the top of the existing tooth, bringing it back to full function. Crowns are often the next course of action when filling is no longer effective, or after root-canal treatment, which leaves teeth weakened and brittle. While ‘old-school’ crowns were made of metal or gold, today’s advanced materials allow for completely lifelike, tooth-coloured and metal-free restorations, made to match your exact requirements for shape, shade, texture and translucency. Crowns are usually the restoration of choice following implant treatment.
Bespoke bridges
A dental bridge is a long-term solution for large gaps and multiple missing teeth. A bridge combines prosthetic teeth that hide the gaps in your smile with a crown at each end that attaches securely to your existing teeth. Even if your missing teeth are causing no discomfort, dental bridges are highly recommended for preventing potential future dental problems. These include bite distortion, caused by your remaining teeth shifting to fill the gap, and vulnerability to gum disease and jaw pain. Like crowns, bridges are usually created from porcelain or precious metal. They are an excellent fixed alternative to dentures and may also be used to complete a dental implant treatment.
Beautifully designed dentures
If you are missing some or all of your teeth, rest assured that today’s dentures are nothing like those of decades go by. The team at Birdgate Dental is extremely experienced at fitting partial and full dentures, which come in a variety of modern materials, including acrylic, nylon and metal. Nowadays, dentures are more lifelike and comfortable than ever, fitting snugly over your gums to restore your smile and counteract any problems missing teeth can cause – such as trouble eating and speaking, unwanted movement of existing teeth, and facial sagging. Unlike crowns and bridges, dentures need to be removed daily for cleaning. If you are looking for a more permanent solution, implants, or an implant-retained denture, could be the solution, and we’ll talk you through the options available.
Orthodontics FAQs
What is the difference between a crown and a bridge?
A crown is a single-tooth restoration that caps your existing tooth. A bridge replaces one or more adjacent missing teeth with a prosthetic that literally bridges the gap, held in place at each end by a crown.
How is a crown or bridge fitted?
Before your custom restoration is made at the lab, your dentist will prepare your tooth by filing it down into a smooth shape that correctly accommodates the restoration. Dental impressions will then be taken and sent to the lab where your restoration will be made. When it is ready, you’ll return to the dentist to have your crown or bridge cemented in place and cured under a special light.
How long will my crown or bridge last for?
With good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, your restoration could last as long as 20 years.
Why choose dentures?
Dentures are the most cost-effective solution to missing teeth and will enable you to eat and speak with confidence.
How are dentures made?
Dentures are custom-made in a dental lab, using your dental impressions to get the exact fit. A trial denture is usually made to check the fit before the final, permanent version is made.
What is the difference between full, partial and implant-retained dentures?
A partial denture fills the gap left behind by one or more missing teeth, and clips to your existing teeth. It can be easily unclipped and removed for cleaning. A full or complete denture is used when all the upper or lower teeth are missing, and fits snugly over your gums. It must be removed daily for cleaning. Implant-retained dentures use as few as two dental implants to hold your denture securely in place.
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