TREATMENT OPTIONS

PROBLEM : MISSING SINGLE TOOTH

Treatment Options:

1. Partial Denture

A removable prosthesis that can be made of all plastic or metal reinforced. It does not involve damaging the teeth either side of the space and hence is very conservative. This is the cheapest option but it needs to be removed for cleaning after each meal several times a day, left out at night, and replaced approximately every 3-5 years.

2. Resin Bonded Bridge

A fixed prosthesis that is cemented on to teeth either side of a gap. Only minimal preparation of the teeth is required. It is only suitable when the teeth on either side have small or no existing restorations. These bridges can be quite aesthetic but they tend to de-bond (loosen and come out) every few years, needing periodic re-cementation. (In the case of a front tooth, unexpected de-bonding may present an awkward situation). After 2 or 3 de-bonds these bridges may need to be remade and the preparations on the teeth extended.

3. Tooth Supported Fixed Bridge

This is the conventional technique for fixed replacement of teeth. The teeth on either side of the gap are prepared for crowns to support a ceramic bridge, which is designed and shaped to look like the missing tooth and supporting teeth. This type of restoration is generally the least conservative, as it involves removing a considerable amount of tooth structure to create enough space. A fixed bridge will function like real teeth and provide a very aesthetic result that should last for beyond 15 years. A restoration like this is often the ideal option when the supporting teeth would benefit from full coverage restoration in their own right. Unfortunately however, when healthy teeth are cut down for bridge supports, approximately 10-15% of these teeth may suffer irreversible pulpal damage, requiring root canal therapy.