Restorative Dentistry in Moose Jaw

To treat a cavity we remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then “fill” the area on the tooth where the decayed material once lived. Fillings are also used to repair cracked or broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down from misuse (such as from nail-biting or tooth grinding).

Today, several dental filling materials are available. Teeth can be filled with gold; porcelain; or more commonly, tooth-coloured, plastic and glass materials called composite resin fillings. The location and extent of the decay, cost of filling material, patients’ insurance coverage and our dentist’s recommendation assist in determining the type of filling that will best address your needs.

Extensive decay, tooth trauma, or gum disease can infect the nerve of a tooth causing inflammation or infection that can lead to pain and a dental abscess. During a root canal procedure, the affected nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.

A successful root canal treatment lets you keep the tooth rather than having to pull it out. Keeping your tooth helps to prevent your other teeth from drifting out of line and causing jaw problems. It also avoids having to replace it with an artificial tooth. With today’s modern dental techniques, having root canals done by a dentist is no longer a scary experience. Our team is experienced in performing root canal therapy.

A bridge is a dental appliance that replaces one or more natural missing teeth, thereby “bridging” the space between two teeth. Fixed bridges are cemented into place next to the “abutment” teeth – the surrounding teeth on either side of the space.

Unlike removable partial dentures, fixed bridges cannot be taken out of the mouth by the patient. A fixed bridge is a device that typically consists of three units–a pontic (a false tooth) fused between two crowns that are cemented into the abutment teeth.

If you are missing any teeth and are committed to maintain good oral hygiene practice, you may be a good candidate for a bridge. A bridge is the most natural choice to fill the space in you mouth left by missing teeth.

If left unfilled, this space can cause the surrounding teeth to drift out of position and can cause teeth and gums to become more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease that can cause further tooth loss. Fixed bridges not only correct an altered bite, improve you chewing ability and speech, but they also safeguard you appearance by preventing the collapse of you facial texture that can cause premature wrinkles and age lines.

A crown is a restoration that covers, or “caps’, a tooth to restore it to its normal shape and size, strengthening and improving the appearance of a tooth. Crowns are necessary when a tooth is broken down and fillings won’t solve the problem. If a tooth is cracked, a crown holds the tooth together to seal the cracks so the damage will not get worse. Crowns are also used to support a large filling when there is not enough of the tooth remaining, to protect weak teeth from fracturing, to restore fractured teeth, or to cover badly shaped or discolored teeth.

How is a crown placed?

To prepare the tooth for a crown, it is reduced so the crown can fit over it. An impression of teeth and gums is made and sent to the lab for crown fabrication. A temporary crown is fitted over the tooth until the permanent crown is made. On the next visit, the dentist removes the temporary crown and cements the permanent crown onto the tooth.

Will it look natural?

Yes. The dentist’s main goal is to create crowns that look like natural teeth. That is why dentists take an impression. To achieve a certain look, a number of factors are considered, such as the color, bite, shape and the length of your natural teeth. Any one of these factors alone can affect you appearance.

An Ounce of Prevention Is Still the Rule!

Once your crown is in place, make sure the area is brushed well and that you floss below the gum line. While the crown protects your remaining tooth from further decay, you must protect the base of the crown from bacterial growth and gum disease. Regular brushing and flossing as you would your natural teeth will ensure that your crown will be in place for years to come!