Restorative Dentistry Kelowna
Kelowna Tooth Repair
Crowns & Bridges
Crowns
A dental crown is specifically designed to protect a tooth. Over the years, teeth are subject to an incredible amount of punishment. If a tooth has previously had a large filling placed in it, has be subjected to trauma or has had a piece fracture away, a dental crown may be the next best step. Dental crowns generally come in two flavours, gold or porcelain. Gold crowns are durable and long-lasting, however they have the disadvantage of being yellow in colour and therefore not the best for esthetic areas of the mouth. Porcelain crowns are designed to match the colour, shape and size of the rest of your teeth and are most commonly used in dental practices today. If taken care of properly, crowns can last many years.
Getting a dental crown will usually require two appointments. At your initial visit, we will remove any broken down fillings and decay and prepare your tooth so that it can accept a crown. An impression will need to be taken of your upper and lower teeth, which are sent to a dental laboratory. In certain cases, where colour match is absolutely essential, we may ask that you visit the dental lab directly for a custom shade match of your teeth. A dental crown is then fabricated at the lab and then returned to our office. During your second appointment, we remove the temporary crown that was placed at your initial visit and replace it with a new crown, which is permanently cemented into place.
Typically, the reasons that your dental professional may recommend a crown are:
- Teeth that may be fractured or broken
- Cosmetic correction
- Teeth that are heavily decayed
- Teeth having large fillings
- A tooth where a root canal has been completed
Bridges
Bridges function in a similar manner to crowns, however they have the added benefit of being able to replace missing teeth by “bridging” the gap. This requires preparation of anchoring (abutment) teeth in exactly the same manner as if they were to receive crowns.
As with crowns, a bridge will generally require two appointments to complete and will involve may of the same steps. Your dental professional will discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages of bridges vs. implants in replacing missing teeth. A bridge may be recommended in the following cases:
- Replacing a missing tooth or teeth
- To aid in chewing
- Avoid the use of a removable partial denture
- Where dental implants are not recommended
Root Canal Therapy
While teeth are highly resilient, there are times when the nerve (pulp) of a tooth can become damaged or infected from things such as trauma, cavities or cracks. Teeth with these conditions can be quite painful and can have a negative impact on your quality of life. It is important in these cases that the nerve of the tooth be removed and the root canals be cleaned and filled with inert material to prevent reinfection.
It is a common misconception that having a root canal done is a painful endeavor when in fact most people report little to no discomfort during the procedure. With the technologies available to us today, we are able to perform this treatment quickly and effectively, and once performed these teeth can last for many years.
If you think that you might need a root canal, look for these common symptoms:
- Pain – usually severe, often throbbing or aching
- Pain that wakes you or keeps you up at night
- Pain that is not managed by medication
- Pain to biting on one side
- Hot sensitivity
- Lingering cold sensitivity
- Swelling
Custom Nightguard
If you wake up with headaches, sore jaw muscles or pain in your teeth, you may be clenching and grinding your teeth while you sleep (also known as nighttime bruxism). Most patients are usually unaware of their clenching, and it is often a spouse or significant other that will confirm its occurrence. As a part of your routine examination, our dental professionals will assess your teeth for signs of bruxism, and in certain cases may recommend the fabrication of a night guard for you to wear while you sleep. These guards are made from a firm plastic material that allows you to wear against the guard as opposed to your natural teeth. If you think you might be experiencing nighttime bruxism, be sure to ask Dr. Sanders about the treatment options available to you.