Dental crowns & bridges in Medicine Hat — Vista Dental

Whether you need to protect a damaged tooth or replace one that's missing, dental crowns and bridges offer durable, natural-looking solutions that restore your smile and your confidence. Vista Dental has been fitting Medicine Hat patients with crowns and bridges since 2008.

Natural looking results

Porcelain, PFM, Gold

Accepting New Patients

Crowns & bridges — restoring damaged and missing teeth in Medicine Hat

Dental Crowns

Over time teeth can weaken, crack or decay — and when a filling or bonding isn't enough to restore them, a dental crown is often the best solution. A crown fits over the entire visible portion of the tooth above the gum line, protecting it from further damage and restoring it to full function and natural appearance.

Crowns are recommended when a tooth is severely decayed or damaged, after root canal treatment to protect the treated tooth, when a tooth is cracked or fractured, or to anchor a dental bridge in place. They're durable, long-lasting and — with the right material choice — virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

Porcelain Crowns

The most natural-looking option. Matched to the shade of your surrounding teeth so the crown blends in seamlessly. Best for front teeth where appearance matters most.

Porcelain Fused to Metal

A strong metal base with a porcelain outer layer. Offers a good balance of durability and natural appearance — suitable for both front and back teeth.

Full Gold Crowns

Extremely durable and long-lasting. Gold crowns are less common today but remain a reliable option for back teeth where strength is the priority.

The Crown Process

Preparation & impressions

The tooth is reshaped by filing down the enamel to create a base for the crown. A local anesthetic ensures you're comfortable throughout. Impressions are taken and sent to a dental lab where your custom crown is crafted to fit precisely and match your surrounding teeth. A temporary crown protects the tooth while you wait.

Fitting your permanent crown

About 2–3 weeks later your permanent crown is ready. You'll come in for a second appointment where the crown is fitted, adjusted for bite and cemented permanently in place. When you leave you'll have a fully restored tooth that looks, feels and functions just like the real thing. Crowns typically last 10–15 years with regular care.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth by literally bridging the gap between existing teeth. The bridge consists of two crowns on either side of the gap — called abutments — and a false tooth or teeth in between called a pontic. The result is a fixed, stable replacement that looks and functions like natural teeth.

Replacing a missing tooth isn't just about aesthetics. When a tooth is lost and not replaced, neighbouring teeth can shift into the gap over time, your bite can change, chewing and speaking can become more difficult and bone loss can occur in the area. A bridge prevents all of these complications and restores your smile at the same time.

Why replace a missing tooth?

Neighbouring teeth shift into the gap over time
Changes to your bite can cause jaw pain and wear
Bone loss occurs in the area of the missing tooth
Chewing and speaking can become more difficult
Self-confidence is affected by gaps in your smile

The bridge process

Existing teeth on either side of the gap are prepared as abutments
Impressions are taken and sent to the dental lab
A temporary bridge protects the area while your permanent bridge is made
Your permanent bridge is fitted and cemented at a follow-up appointment
After a short adjustment period it will feel completely natural

Considering a dental implant instead?

For some patients a dental implant is a better long-term solution than a bridge — particularly when the neighbouring teeth are healthy and don't need crowns. Ask your Vista Dentist if an implant is a good option for you!

What to expect after crown and bridge

Most patients are surprised by how straightforward recovery is. Here's what's normal in the days following your crown or bridge preparation.

Normal after your prep appointment:

Mild to moderate sensitivity or tenderness for a few days
Some swelling in the gums
Slight discomfort when biting on the tooth (be sure only to chew soft foods on the temporary crown. Do not eat anything hard or sticky!)

Recovery Tips:

Take ibuprofen or aspirin as directed to manage discomfort
Rinse with salt water to help your gums heal
When you floss with your temporary crown, put it through the contact and drag it out the side rather than popping it back up through the contact again.

Restore your smile at Vista Dental in Medicine Hat

Whether you need a crown to protect a damaged tooth or a bridge to replace a missing one, our Medicine Hat dental team is here to help. Call us at (403) 548-7077 or request an appointment online.

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