Bridges, Crowns & Cosmetic Dentistry in Edmonton
Cosmetic dental treatments are providing better results than ever before. At Westmount Dental Centre, we offer a full line of cosmetic dental procedures including restorative measures that keep as much of the natural tooth as possible, enhancing your smile for years to come.
Restorative dentistry is the term dental professionals use to explain how they replace missing or damaged teeth in the mouth, helping to keep the rest of your teeth in the right place. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. The goal is to bring back your natural smile and prevent future oral health issues.
Dental implants are becoming increasingly popular as they become more cost effective when traditionally restorative dentistry has meant fixed prosthetic devices - bridges or crowns. Your dentist can help you decide which to choose, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations, and cost. Unlike removable devices such as dentures, which you can take out and clean daily, crowns and bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants, and can only be removed by a dentist.
A dental bridge covers or ‘bridges’ the gap between one or more missing teeth. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the color of your natural teeth, and once in place work just like your natural teeth.
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a tooth. It is used to strengthen and protect your tooth structure. Crowns can be matched to the color of your natural teeth or be made of other materials include gold and metal alloys, acrylic, and ceramic. Your dentist may recommend a crown to:
Replace a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining
Protect a weak tooth from fracturing or restore a fractured tooth
Cover a dental implant, a discolored or poorly shaped tooth, or a tooth that has had root canal treatment
Attach a bridge
While crowns and bridges can last a lifetime, they do sometimes come loose or fall out, so to ensure their longevity practice good oral hygiene. Our top oral care tips for bridges and crowns include brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing daily, seeing your Edmonton dentist and hygienist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings; and, to prevent damage to your new bridge or crown, avoid chewing hard foods, ice or other hard objects. Cosmetic Dental Procedures in Edmonton As the popularity of cosmetic dental treatments increases, so does the need to have them performed by a well-trained professional like the ones you’ll find at Westmount Dental Centre. For cosmetic dentistry in Edmonton, Westmount Dental Centre has extended hours six days a week for your convenience, and our diverse staff speak many different languages so call to book your appointment at 780-454-1269 today.