DENTAL SERVICES

Dentures are removable replacements for teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures can be fabricated – complete (when all teeth are missing) and partial (when some natural teeth are present in the mouth).

Crowns and bridges are forms of fixed prostheses for teeth. These cannot be removed and cleaned daily like dentures. These are cemented onto existing teeth or even implants and can only be removed by the dentist.

Crowns, also known as caps, fix and protect teeth that are so damaged or diseased that they need more support than just a simple filling. They are fabricated in such a way that they match the shape, size and colour of the surrounding teeth.

Bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth. They are cemented to the natural teeth on either side of the empty space. Bridges can however, only be used to replace a small number of missing teeth and only if the adjacent teeth are healthy, also depending on the condition of the surrounding bone and gums.

They are indicated for:

• Restoring fractured teeth
• Protecting teeth with deep, large restorations /root canal treated teeth
• Providing support to bridges
• Restoring adiscoloured or poorly shaped tooth
• Covering a dental implantProsthodontics refers to the replacement of missing oral tissues, e.g. Teeth. Not only to re-create form but also function.