A Few Missing Teeth
Dental Implant Bridges are one of the most lifelike and natural-looking solutions out there for replacing a few missing teeth. The teeth are porcelain which fit over a metal structure inside the mouth. This gives a secure and realistic solution.
They can be used for anything from 2 teeth to a whole jaw, but the real benefit is that because of the ‘bridge’, fewer implants need to be used. Not only does this mean better surgery for you, it also makes it more cost-effective for what you receive.
It can even be as little as 2 implants for 4 teeth. The historical alternative are traditional dental bridges which do have their downsides.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges have been around for 100 years. Until dental implants came along dental bridges were considered the gold standard treatment for the replacement of single teeth or a number of teeth. Bridges require some sound teeth to attach to – usually either side of a gap.
Advantages of bridges
- Can achieve excellent aesthetic results
- Long lived (10 years possible)
- Feel like real teeth
- Quick – bridges can be completed in 2 weeks
- Stay put and don’t move around
- Fixed in place (not removable like dentures)
- Less expensive than implants
Disadvantages
- Require solid teeth to fix to
- Bridge support teeth have to be drilled down to make room for the bridge-bridge support teeth will often fail in the long term because of the extra strain on them (5 yrs +)
- Not suitable for replacing more than 2 teeth in a row
- Not possible if large number of teeth are missing
- Not possible if teeth missing do not have a solid tooth behind them to act as a back bridge support
- More expensive than dentures
Cost from £2,900 – We also provide temporary Bridges which cost from £386
Feel free to browse a gallery selection of our before and after
Dental Implant case studies
Free Consultation
Without seeing things for ourselves, we can’t tell people what their options are.
And so with that in mind, we are happy to offer free consultations, as this is a big decision for most people. We are careful to take budget, comfort and appearance into account when explaining all the available choices and there is never any pressure to proceed, and certainly not on the day.
We set out to be a friendly practice and try to provide everybody with what’s right for them, at an affordable cost. We hope our dentist reviews give that impression.
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What they say about us
Judy – Denture Phobia
Thank goodness for Google! I searched “dental / denture phobia” and came up with the Winning Smiles website. I am 62 years old and work in a position where I am constantly dealing with people face to face. Having had dental problems for many years and having been unable to cope with regular dentures or even sitting in the dentist’s chair I was at the point of considering giving up work as my dental appearance was so poor I felt constantly embarrassed and yet could not overcome my phobia to visit a dentist.
From my first contact with Winning Smiles I have nothing but praise for Andrew Fennell and indeed his whole team. I now have denture implants and can smile again for the first time in years and although I still have some work to be done I have no fear! Thank you so so much.
Treatments: Implant Retained Dentures
Dental Review Response
By Andrew
Judy thanks so much for your honesty here. So many patients are in a similar situation and they want to know that something can be done to help them overcome their nerves and sort out their dental problems.
Many patients suffer so much with their dentures that they either give up and go ‘toothless’ or only wear them for show – being careful never to eat in front of anyone. Dentures can be very difficult to wear – even the good ones move around quite a bit (especially in the lower jaw) – eating hard food? Forget it.
Soft foods only – and nipping to the bathroom after every meal to remove trapped food. Hardly glamorous.
About 10% of denture patients can’t wear them because they cause gagging.
And why have these patients lost so many teeth in the first place? It’s as Judy says – a fear of visiting the dentist (often started as a child) which keeps them away unless they are in total agony by which time it is often too late to save the tooth and the extractions start. Our first task with a patient like Judy (and there are many) is to reassure them that
- 1) We care
- 2) We understand
- 3)We are not going to make you feel like its all your fault (its usually a childhood dentist at fault in truth)
- 4) We will take all the time we need (no rushing)
- 5) It’s never too late – we can provide a fully functioning solution.
No judgment dentistry – This is a safe space
I was so nervous when I contacted winning smiles as I had not seen a dentist for some time and knew my gums were a mess and my bottom 2 teeth were very loose. Denise contacted me the following day, she was so kind and sympathetic as I was so nervous about seeing the dentist.
I did not want to be judged for having not had any treatment for so long. Denise reassured me that my consultation with Andrew Fennell would be judgemental free and very professional. I booked to see Andrew a few weeks later and from that day all I can say is that I have never looked back.
Before my implant treatment, I have had several intense treatments for my gum disease with Anita Sarkadi.
Anita has been amazing, treating my gum disease over several months and there has now been a vast improvement in my gum health.
Andrew and Sam – what can I say -over several months I have had treatment for dental implants for my bottom two teeth.
The treatment was almost painless as advertised and knowing how scared I was this was a blessing.
I can not thank you both for your patience, and the professionalism and kindness that you showed to me.
I now have the confidence to smile again!
Thank You.
Antoinette
