Cosmetic dentistry and dental health have become an important aspect in everyday people’s lives-we are all increasingly becoming aware of the benefits and positive impact a lovely set of teeth and a great smile can bestow.

In the past, many people may have neglected the health or the appearance of their teeth but this has changed and more and more individuals are now undergoing cosmetic dentistry treatments to improve their teeth and get a nice smile.

Missing teeth is one of the problems that some people may wish to address. There are a number of treatments that are available to fill gaps and replace missing teeth and some of these include dental implants, aesthetically pleasing dentures which are made from more comfortable and natural looking materials, dental bridges.

A dental bridge is one of the options that can bridge the gap between missing teeth.
Dental bridges fill the gap between two or more missing teeth in your mouth with the help of support from adjacent teeth in your mouth so that a false tooth can be attached to replace the missing tooth.

Dental bridges can be made from a variety of materials some of which include metal bonded to metal (conventional bridge) or porcelain bonded to metal.

The replacement teeth used to fill gaps are supported by your dental bridges which in turn is supported by your existing teeth.

A Dental Bridge can be made with both aesthetics and functionality in mind to give you a natural looking smile which also allows you to eat and speak with ease.

Dental bridges require the same amount of care and oral maintenance as your original teeth in order to prolong their lifespan so you will need to make regular trips to both your dentist and dental hygienist.

Below are some of the choices you may want to consider:

Dental Implants:

Dental Implants are ‘rods’ of metal,usually made
from titanium, which are set or placed into the jawbone where the tooth is
missing.They do not require adjacent teeth for support as they are held in
place by the bone in the jaw.Although dental implants are not a cheap cosmetic
dentistry options, they are long lasting , hard wearing and permanent.They also
most closely resemble real teeth and are therefore a popular choice for
replacing a missing tooth or teeth.

Dental Bridges:

A good cosmetic dentist will have various types of
cosmetic bridges which he should be able to offer. Some of the choices you may
be offered include a Porcelain Bridge, Metal Bridge or  a  Maryland Bridge. Bridges fill gaps or replace
missing teeth by being attached utilising adjacent teeth which should be
healthy and strong enough to provide support.A Porcelain Dental Bridge is a
good example of an aesthetically acceptable option for replacing unattractive
gaps where one or more teeth are missing.

Dentures(or False Teeth):

This is the process whereby a false tooth or set of
false teeth are manufactured and placed into a plate which is the denture.The advantages
of a denture is they are relatvely cheap.The disadvantage is that
discomfort,pain or soreness of gums due to ill-fitting dentures can occur.This
may be due to gum recession as gums shrink with age and over time

Where necessary, one or more teeth can be replaced artificially using a dental implant. This does not affect the adjacent teeth.

Some of the other choices for replacing a missing tooth are dentures( and their are many varities and types of dentures available today) as well as bridge and crowns(and again there are a whole array of bridges available form cosmetic dentists these days). However, a dental implant is a great way of replacing a missing tooth or several missing teeth. The procedure does not have an effect on your adjacent teeth and it is long lasting and just like having a new tooth (or teeth) fixed into your jaw to replace your old missing tooth.

Dental implants allow you to eat and speak with confidence and comfort and feel like you have a full set of teeth again- without the worry of adhesives and displaced dentures or the pain and discomfort of a broken bridge.

Dental implants are the best option for tooth replacement, but still need good oral care and frequent dental checkups or visits. You must brush and floss after every meal. This will help you keep your implants plaque-free and clean.

To ensure that the dental implants are healthy after the treatment, you must go for regular follow-ups with your dentist.

Scientists in Tokyo, Japan have used mouse stem cells to create artificially bioengineered teeth which both look and function in the same way as real teeth. The artificially engineered ‘tooth buds’ were grown in a lab before being placed in mice where they developed into full grown teeth. They were then transplanted into jawbone where they fused and integrated to function and look like real teeth. Although the research was carried out on mice and in the laboratory, it paves the way to future development of generating replacement teeth in humans.

Research is at an early stage and one of the obstacles to overcome is finding a suitable source of stem cells for use in the human mouth. Professor Takashi Tsuji who spearheaded the study, stressed the importance of finding the right ‘seed cells’ for reparative therapy. His team utilised stem cells from the molar teeth of mice which went on to produce a regular tooth unit comprising dental bone, enamel and nerve fibres.

Adult stem cells, also known as the body’s master cells, have the ability to be utilised in the growth of new cells. Because of their ability to regenerate and renew, stem cell research has also been harnessed in the research of a variety of diseases, including cancer and diabetes.

Although bioengineering of teeth may directly benefit patients in the future, for now, it’s important to maintain and look after your teeth following the usual guidelines: Restricting your intake of sugary drinks and food, brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and visiting your dentist and hygienist on a regular basis.

Research details and content source :http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0021531 PLOS One, online July 12, 2011

Advances in cosmetic dentistry and technology have allowed bridges made from metal-free materials to be manufactured which help achieve a beautiful and natural looking smile. A bridge can also help reduce the risk of gum disease as it can help limit shifting of the remaining teeth and can also help correct some bite issues which can, in turn, aid speech in some people.

To fit the bridge, the area first needs to be numbed; then the minimum amount of tooth structure will be removed from the tooth on either side of the space that is to be filled by the new tooth or teeth.
The preparing and placement of a temporary bridge may be necessary prior to the fitting of the final or permanent bridge. There are few side effects other than some minor tenderness in the area which may occur.

There are very few problems posed by the usage of this procedure. If you have a missing tooth or a set of teeth, then a dental bridge can help you bring out your beautiful smile again. The cost of a dental bridge increases proportionally with the number of teeth involved and will also vary depending on the materials utilised in making your bridge.

Dental bridges are usually supported by adjacent, healthy tooth structure which serves as an abutment. Generally, conventional dental bridges required a part of the healthy teeth that is adjacent to the missing tooth to be polished or shaved. The main purpose of the dental bridge is to restore the function of chewing and produce an acceptable aesthetic outcome.

Apart from the grinding down of healthy and functional teeth, this procedure can also lead to a growing gap between the gums and the replacement tooth. However, cosmetic dentistry now provides you with a more advanced and effective way of replacing a missing tooth without a bridge. Dental implants eliminate the need to grind down functional, healthy teeth and are designed to perfectly replace a missing tooth.

Dental implants can be fixed with minimal changes to the overall structure of the jawbone or the face. It is rare that they need to be replaced, as they are not affected by tooth decay or any other dental disease provided they are looked after properly.