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About Restorative Dentistry
Most restorative work is just damage control — the sooner you act, the simpler the fix.
Restorative dentistry covers everything we do to repair teeth that have been damaged by decay, fracture, wear, or infection. The goal is always to save as much natural tooth structure as possible — and to do it in a way that's durable, comfortable, and natural-looking.
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The single most important thing patients can do is not wait. A small cavity that needs a filling today becomes a tooth that needs a crown in six months, and potentially a root canal after that.
We'll always be straightforward with you about what something needs and what happens if it's left alone — so you can make the call with full information.
Restorative Dental Services in Medicine Hat
When a tooth has too much damage for a filling to handle, a crown, onlay, or inlay is the right answer. The difference is how much of the tooth needs to be covered. A crown caps the entire visible portion of the tooth. An onlay covers the damaged cusp or cusps. An inlay restores the area between the cusps. When an inlay or onlay can do the job, it's the more conservative choice — less natural tooth structure removed.
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We work in a range of materials depending on what the tooth needs. Zirconia for strength and aesthetics on back teeth. Porcelain and ceramic for front teeth where appearance is the priority. Porcelain-fused-to-metal where the margin needs to extend below the gumline. Full gold for patients who want maximum longevity and a gentler effect on opposing teeth. We'll always explain what we're recommending and why.
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Dental Crowns, Inlays, and Onlays
Cavities happen — but treating them doesn't have to be complicated. At Vista Dental, we repair decayed or damaged teeth with fillings that restore both function and appearance, whether the cavity is on a front tooth you smile with or a back tooth you chew with.
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For teeth in the back of your mouth (posterior teeth), where chewing puts the most pressure, we focus on durability so your filling holds up to daily wear. For teeth toward the front (anterior teeth), where appearance matters most, we match the filling to your natural tooth colour so it blends in seamlessly.
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Either way, our goal is the same: stop decay in its tracks, protect the healthy tooth structure that's left, and get you back to eating and smiling comfortably — without anyone noticing you had work done.
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Tooth Fillings
Dental Bridges
A bridge replaces a missing tooth with a fixed, permanent restoration — no surgery, no removable appliance. It consists of an artificial tooth held in place by crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap. Once cemented, it functions and feels like a natural tooth.
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Replacing missing teeth promptly matters more than most people realize. The surrounding teeth will gradually shift into the gap over time, affecting your bite and making them harder to keep clean. The jawbone beneath a missing tooth also begins to resorb without a root to stimulate it. A bridge addresses the gap immediately and preserves the alignment of your remaining teeth.
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We'll also discuss implant crowns as an alternative — so you can weigh the options and decide what makes sense for your situation.
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Tooth Extractions
Extraction is always a last resort. We'll always explore whether a tooth can be saved before recommending removal. When it can't — due to severe decay, fracture, or infection — removing it cleanly and promptly is the right call.
We also assess and remove problematic wisdom teeth right here in our Medicine Hat dental office, including impacted teeth that are causing pain, crowding, or repeated infection.
Complex cases requiring oral surgery are referred to a specialist, and we'll let you know during your assessment if that's the case.
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A root canal removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth — the pulp — and seals it to prevent reinfection. It allows us to save a tooth that would otherwise need to come out.
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Despite its reputation, the procedure itself is not painful — the infection is what hurts. Most patients are genuinely surprised by how manageable it is.
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Root canals are recommended when decay or damage has reached the inner tooth, when there's an abscess, or when a tooth has become severely sensitive to temperature.
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Symptoms worth acting on quickly include a persistent toothache, swelling, or a pimple on the gum near a tooth. The sooner it's treated, the simpler the case.
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Most teeth treated with a root canal will need a crown afterward to protect and strengthen them long-term.
Root Canal Therapy
A note from Dr. Ashely Spitz
"I'd rather show you a small cavity on an x-ray and explain your options than have you come back in a year with a tooth that needs a root canal. The honest conversation upfront is always better for everyone."
Dr. Ashley Spitz · General & Restorative Dentist · Vista Dental Medicine Hat
