You might recognise
- One or more teeth missing
- A tooth broken down close to the gum
- A denture that moves or rubs
- Chewing only on one side
- An old crown or bridge that has failed
Restorative Dentistry
Teeth that are broken or missing
Crowns, bridges, dentures and implants. Getting teeth to work properly again, and to look right while doing it. Which option suits you depends on how much tooth is left, how healthy the bone underneath is, and what you can spend.
Who this is for
Anyone with teeth missing, broken, or so heavily filled that there is now more filling than tooth left.
Also people whose dentures have stopped fitting properly, and people who have quietly stopped chewing on one side. That habit almost always means something on that side needs looking at.
Front tooth chipped or broken? Read Gigi patah: crown atau tampalan komposit? — our guide in Bahasa Malaysia.
Your options
Four ways to rebuild
We will tell you which of these actually applies to your mouth, including when the cheaper option is the better one.
Crowns
A cap that covers a tooth which is broken, heavily filled or has had root canal treatment. It takes the chewing force off the weakened tooth underneath. Shade-matched to the teeth either side.
Bridges
Fills a gap by anchoring to the teeth on either side. Fixed in place, nothing to take out. The trade-off is that the supporting teeth have to be prepared, even if they are perfectly healthy.
Dentures
Full or partial, and removable. The most affordable way to replace several missing teeth. Getting the fit comfortable normally takes a few visits, and that is expected rather than a sign something went wrong.
Implants
A titanium post replaces the root, with a crown on top. It does not touch the neighbouring teeth and it does not come out. The most expensive option and the longest to complete, but the closest to a real tooth.
The process
How we decide, and in what order
Assessment
X-rays, a look at the gums, and a check of how much healthy tooth and bone there is to build on. Implants in particular depend on the bone underneath, which is why we look before we promise anything.
Health first
Active decay and gum disease get treated before anything is rebuilt. Putting a crown on an unstable foundation wastes your money.
The options in writing
What each one costs, how long it takes, and roughly how long it should last. Take it home. Nobody will push you to decide in the chair.
Preparation and impressions
The tooth is shaped and we take impressions for the laboratory. You leave with a temporary in place, not a gap.
Fitting and review
We check the fit, the bite and the colour before anything is cemented permanently. If it is not right, it goes back to the lab.
Common questions
Crowns, bridges and implants, answered
A bridge hangs from the teeth either side of the gap, so those teeth have to be prepared even if they are healthy. An implant stands on its own in the bone and leaves the neighbours untouched. A bridge is quicker and cheaper. An implant costs more and takes months, but it does not put healthy teeth at risk.
Placing an implant is done with the area fully numb and most people are surprised how straightforward it is. Expect some soreness and swelling for a few days afterwards, similar to having a tooth out. The longest part is waiting for the bone to bond to the implant, which is not painful, just slow.
Many years, often more than ten, provided the tooth and gum underneath stay healthy. Crowns fail because of decay at the edge or gum problems, not usually because the crown itself wears out. Cleaning around the margin matters more than the material.
Age itself is not the issue. What matters is whether you have enough healthy bone, whether your gums are in good condition, and whether any medical conditions affect healing. We assess that first and tell you honestly if implants are not the right choice for you.
Usually yes. We handle repairs and relines including for dentures we did not make. Bring it in and we will tell you whether it is worth repairing or whether a new one would serve you better.
It depends on how many teeth are being replaced and whether the bone needs building up first. You get the full cost in writing after the assessment, before anything starts. Send us a WhatsApp for current prices.
First step
Find out what is possible
One visit tells you which options your mouth can actually take, what each costs, and how long each takes. You decide afterwards, not in the chair.