Removable Dentures and Fixed Bridges
At Maroubra Family Dental, we hope all of our patients retain their teeth for a lifetime through a good preventive care programme. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, tooth loss still occurs.
Dentures have been around for many years, and today’s dentures look more natural and feel more comfortable than ever before. Patients of all ages wear dentures because of tooth loss from congenital conditions, gum disease, tooth decay and injuries. Dentures can restore the way your smile looks, and they can improve your quality of life because you can chew and speak properly again.
When one or a few adjacent teeth are missing, a dental bridge can restore your tooth function and protect the health of your remaining natural teeth. Like dentures, bridges can restore proper chewing and speaking function, as well as improve the look of your smile.
The Denture Procedure
Unlike the square, fake-looking dentures your grandparents may have had, today’s dentures are designed to look very much like your natural teeth. Dr Emmanuel Pertsoulis works with patients to find the right size, shape and shade of their new teeth. Our goal is to create dentures that are comfortable and look so natural; most people won’t even know you have them.
The denture process begins when we take preliminary moulds of your mouth. Subsequent visits with us will involve additional impressions that focus on the finer details that will help us create the best-fitting denture possible. Our goal is to ensure you get the best treatment that results in dentures that not only look great and function well but also last you for years to come.
There will be an adjustment period after you start wearing your new dentures, but our patients are pleasantly surprised to find these modern dentures fit better than ever. They also look much more natural than the dentures your grandparents might have worn.
All-on-4® (Malo Clinic Protocol)
Blending the best of both worlds—the affordability of dentures and the stability of dental implants— All-on-4 is available at our dental clinic. All-on-4 is ideal for patients who are missing a full arch of teeth.
We replace all teeth missing in one arch and support it on four or more dental implants with no bone grafting, and you will usually have your teeth in one day. The implants are surgically placed into the jawbone, where they will integrate with the bone over time.
The implants provide the stability you cannot get with dentures alone. They also protect your jawbone from shrinking over time because the implants stimulate the bone just as a natural tooth root would.
The Dental Bridge Process
A dental bridge is designed to fill in the space left by one or a few adjacent missing teeth. The bridge attaches to the teeth on either side of the gap. These teeth will receive dental crowns to keep
the bridge in place. The bridge is made up of false teeth and porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
During your first appointment for a dental bridge, the abutment teeth will be prepared to receive the dental crowns and moulds will be taken. Dr Pertsoulis will make a temporary bridge for you to wear while waiting for the lab to create your custom bridge. You’ll need to come in for one or more follow-up appointments after your permanent bridge is made for custom fittings.
Post-Treatment Care
Once you have your new prosthetics, follow-up visits to our Maroubra Junction, NSW dental clinic will be essential so we can ensure your good oral health. We also want to make sure you are getting the best out of your dentures and dental bridge, and that they continue to fit you perfectly.
You don't have to live with missing teeth. We welcome your call to Maroubra Family Dental to learn more about dentures and bridges.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no one “best” option for all of our patients, but there are certainly a number of options available. The important thing to remember that replacing one or more missing teeth is not just essential in terms of being able to chew and speak properly, but it can also protect you from further tooth loss.
When a tooth is missing and the gap left behind is not filled in with a replacement, the rest of the teeth in your mouth will tend to drift in order to fill in the empty spot. Over time, this will interfere with your bite and can cause your teeth to become worn down. Eventually, you might even lose more teeth.
Talk to our Maroubra Junction, NSW dental clinic about tooth replacement options, including:
- Dental bridges: When you are missing a couple teeth that are adjacent to each other, a dental bridge can fill in the space—protecting your remaining teeth from shifting and restoring your ability to chew properly.
- Partial or Full Dentures: This popular tooth replacement option is particularly useful for patients who are missing an entire arch of teeth. For added stability, we can connect them to dental implants.
- Dental implants: Widely considered the ‘gold standard’ of tooth replacement, dental implants take the place of your missing tooth root. Once a dental crown is attached, you have a tooth replacement that looks, functions and feels very much like your natural tooth.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr Emmanuel Pertsoulis
Principal Dentist / Practice Owner
Dr Pertsoulis, who has a bachelor of dental surgery (University of Sydney) and a diploma in clinical orthodontics (City of London Dental School), founded Maroubra Family Dental in 1997.
He enjoys helping patients with their dental needs and establishing a relationship with them for life. His goal is always to provide outstanding dental care at an affordable price. Dr Pertsoulis particularly enjoys using his artistic background to create long-lasting, beautiful dentistry. He also appreciates his role as mentor to the quality dentists on his team. His plan has always been to ...