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Modern dentistry has seen remarkable advancements in the
way your teeth can be restored or replaced should the
need arise. In just the last few years there have been
many exciting improvements in the materials and techniques
that allow dentists to restore and replace teeth with
incredibly natural looking filling materials and with
onlays and crowns that look so much like natural teeth
that you can hardly tell the difference.
New Materials for Fillings and Crowns
When teeth develop cavities, once the decay is removed
the "hole" has to be filled with a suitable
material. Depending on the size of the "hole,"
a suitable material can be selected to "fill it."
For many years, amalgam (silver) and gold were the materials
most often used for fillings. Today, there are several
other materials that offer the strength of metals with
the beauty of tooth-colored porcelains and composites.
These materials are bonded or cemented to the teeth to
restore them to their original shape and strength. These
restorations reinforce and support the tooth unlike the
older amalgams which relied on the tooth and pins and
posts to hold them together. This type of aesthetic dentistry
can enhance and improve your smile tremendously. Gold
onlays and crowns are still an excellent material for
use in the back of the mouth where they are not visible.
Bridges
A "bridge" is a restoration which replaces or
spans the space where one or more teeth have been lost.
There are two types of bridges: fixed and removable. Fixed
bridges are cemented into place and can only be removed
by a dentist. A removable bridge or "partial denture",
conversely, can be taken out by the patient for cleaning.
While less costly, removable bridges may not be as desirable
as fixed bridges and are not generally as stable.
Your appearance, dental health and the proper functioning
of your mouth are all important reasons for having a bridge
placed. A bridge helps maintain the natural shape of your
face by supporting your lips and cheeks. The loss of your
back teeth may cause your bite to collapse and your face
to droop and appear older. More importantly, however,
when teeth are not replaced your overall dental health
may suffer significantly. Your teeth were designed to
complement each other. When a tooth is lost, the nearby
teeth may tip into the empty space, and the teeth in the
opposite jaw may move up or down toward the open space.
This places unusual stress on both the teeth and the supporting
tissues in your mouth. The gum tissues and the bone that
holds your teeth in place can break down, increasing the
risk of gum disease. Teeth that have drifted are difficult
to clean thoroughly, making them more likely to decay.
As a result, even more teeth may be lost.
Missing teeth can also affect the way you chew and speak.
Chewing on only one side of your mouth puts stress on
your mouth and jaws. Your teeth are also needed to speak
properly, as they help you make the many sounds needed
to speak. Bridges can be made to attach to your own remaining
permanent teeth as well as to dental implants. They can
be made of gold or porcelain tooth-colored materials,
and with proper home care and regular dental examinations
to monitor fit and support, your bridge should last for
many years.
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