As you age, your smile naturally ages.  The most noticeable problems occur when you have old fillings, tooth decay, cracked or missing teeth.  Sometimes you may even develop black lines around your old crowns (also called caps).  These changes can have a significant impact on the health and function of your smile, not to mention your appearance. 

Crowns and bridgework, also known as restorative dentistry, involve restoring natural teeth that have been damaged, decayed or lost.  Crowns and bridges can correct missing teeth, bite dysfunction, and or structural problems.  A crown restores an individual tooth back to its original form and function, while a bridge replaces one or more missing teeth.

You will be excited to know that we create long lasting, durable porcelain crowns and bridges that look natural and are virtually undetectable.  We offer porcelain crowns to restore both front and back teeth.  We offer porcelain bridges to replace missing teeth and may be able to replace your old partial denture – eliminating the need to clean a removable appliance every night.  Made to match the shape, size, and color or your teeth, these porcelain restorations will give you a long-lasting beautiful smile.

Porcelain Bridges
A porcelain bridge is a custom device that is anchored to neighboring teeth to replace one or more missing teeth. When a lost tooth is replaced with a bridge, the teeth on either side of the missing one are prepared as crowns to hold the artificial replacement tooth in place.  Porcelain material is the most popular choice because it is durable and maintains the natural look of your smile. 

When teeth are missing, the remaining teeth can drift out of position, which can lead to a change in your bite, the loss of additional teeth, decay and gum disease.  To reduce these risks to your dental health, we recommend the placement of a bridge when tooth loss occurs.  Porcelain bridges restore your chewing and speaking ability, and cosmetically restore your smile by maintaining your facial shape.  Bridgework gives you a more youthful appearance, allowing you to smile with confidence.

Today’s technology is so advanced that you may want to consider upgrading your old bridge with a new, more natural looking one.  We carefully match the colour so that it blends with your natural teeth.  In addition to replacing removable dentures, bridges can be used instead of implants. 

A bridge procedure usually requires two appointments.  During your first visit, we will prepare the teeth on either side of the missing tooth by removing any decay and shaping the surface.  Next, we will take impressions from which the bridge is made.  A temporary bridge is placed until the permanent one is ready. 

Within two weeks, you will return to have your temporary bridge removed and your new bridge placed.  The porcelain bridge will protect your teeth from problems stemming from missing teeth.  As with all procedures, proper home care and regular dental visits will help prolong the life of your new bridge.

Porcelain bridges are highly durable and will last many years, however they may need to be replaced over time. As with all procedures, proper home care and regular dental visits will help prolong the life of your new bridge.