Dental prosthetics, also known as dental restorations or artificial teeth, are used to replace missing or damaged teeth. They can be used to improve the appearance of a patient’s smile, as well as restore their ability to eat and speak properly. At our practice, Smile Care Dental Clinic, we offer a wide range of dental prosthetics, including bridges, dentures, and dental implants Leicester. In this post, we will discuss how these prosthetics become fixed in the patient’s mouth.
Bridges
These are made up of two or more crowns that are placed on the remaining natural teeth or oral implants on either side of the gap, with the artificial tooth or teeth in the middle. These artificial teeth are known as pontics. The bridge is then fixed in place using a special adhesive. The process of getting a bridge typically takes two visits to our clinic. During the first visit, we will prepare the teeth. This is done to make room for the crowns. Impressions of the prepared teeth are then taken to the laboratory, where the bridge is fabricated. At the second visit, the bridge is checked for proper fit and bite, and then cemented in place.
Dentures
Dentures are removable prosthetics. They are made of acrylic or a combination of acrylic and metal. Complete dentures are used to replace all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw, while partial dentures replace one or two missing teeth. The process of getting dentures typically takes several visits to our clinic. During the first visit, we will take impressions of the patient’s mouth and record the patient’s bite. These impressions are then sent to a dental laboratory, where the dentures are fabricated. At the subsequent visits, we will check the fit and bite of the dentures and make any necessary adjustments. Once the dentures fit comfortably and securely, they are ready to be worn by the patient.
Implants
Dental implants Leicester are a more permanent solution for replacing missing teeth. They are small titanium posts that are placed into the jawbone to act as the roots of the missing teeth. The implant is then topped with a fixture, known as an abutment. The prosthetic which is the visible part of the tooth may be a crown, bridge or denture that is then attached to the abutment. The process of getting an implant typically takes several months and involves multiple visits to our clinic. The first step is to place the implant into the jawbone. This is done under local anaesthesia and may require a small incision in the gums. The implant will then be left to heal and integrate with the jawbone, a process that can take several months.
Once the implant has integrated with the jawbone, an abutment is placed on the implant and an impression of the patient’s mouth is taken. These impressions are then sent to a dental laboratory, where the artificial tooth is fabricated. At the final visit, the artificial tooth is checked for proper fit and bite, and then fixed to the abutment.
Dental prosthetics, such as bridges, dentures, and dental implants Leicester, can be used to replace missing or damaged teeth. The process of getting a prosthetic typically takes multiple visits to our clinic and can involve a combination of impressions, laboratory work, and adjustments. Once the prosthetic is fixed in place, it should improve the patient’s ability to eat and speak properly, as well as enhance their appearance.