Loss of teeth can lead to many problems. At the front of the mouth (anterior teeth) a space can be unsightly and may affect biting efficiency too. Whilst at the back of the mouth (posterior teeth), biting efficiency is reduced and the forces tend to be distributed through less teeth which can lead to them becoming overloaded perhaps leading to mobility and/ or fracture.

Spaces can be filled in a variety of ways however each case is different and some methods are likely to be more suitable than others. Generally speaking, spaces can be "treated" in the following ways.

• Leave alone and monitor for any problems - more relevant at the back of the mouth.
• Fill space with a resin (plastic) denture - a relatively cheap option however such dentures are not usually well supported and thus their stability may be compromised. An option we tend to reserve as a temporary measure.
• Chrome cobalt denture - offer a far more stable and "user-friendly" solution than the resin denture and retention can be considerably higher as they are produced in a very precise manner.
• Hybrid dentures - are held firmly in position often involving very small (but strong) clips similar to press studs, avoiding the use of unsightly clasps. The specific system used depends on the complexity and requirements of each case.
• Bridge - essentially several crowns joined together, usually to allow spaces to be filled where teeth are missing. Please click here to learn more about restorative dentistry
• Implants - can be used to support a single tooth crown (suitable for the replacement of a lost front tooth), a multiple tooth unit bridgework or offer additional retention for an upper and / or lower denture. Please click here to learn more about implants