Restorative dentistry
When a tooth is decayed, cracked or infected, our aim is to save it where we can and restore it so it works and looks natural.
What it is
- Tooth-coloured fillings
- Repair cavities and small chips with filling material matched to your tooth.
- Crowns
- A cap that covers and protects a tooth that is cracked, heavily filled or has had a root canal. More about crowns and bridges.
- Bridges
- Replace a missing tooth by joining a false tooth to crowns on the teeth either side.
- Inlays and onlays
- Custom-made restorations for back teeth when a filling isn't enough but a full crown isn't needed.
- Root canal treatment
- Removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth so the tooth can be kept.
- Extractions
- When a tooth can't be saved, we remove it and talk with you about replacing it. We also remove wisdom teeth (see wisdom tooth extraction). If a complex extraction is better handled by an oral surgeon, we'll refer you.
Who it can help
- A tooth hurts when you bite, or with hot and cold
- You've chipped or cracked a tooth
- A filling or crown has come loose
- A tooth has darkened, or a pimple has appeared on the gum
What happens when you get a crown
- Preparing the toothThe tooth is numbed and shaped so the crown can fit over it.
- Scan or impressionWe record the shape of the tooth and your bite, and match the colour.
- Temporary crownA temporary crown protects the tooth while the final one is made.
- Final crownWe check the fit and bite, then cement the crown in place.
Recovery and aftercare
After a filling or crown, numbness wears off in a few hours, so avoid chewing on that side until it does. Some sensitivity to cold for a week or two is normal. Call us if your bite feels high or if pain is getting worse rather than better.
Common questions
Does a root canal hurt?
The tooth is numbed for treatment. Root canal treatment is usually done to relieve the pain of an infected tooth, and mild tenderness for a few days afterwards is common.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Back teeth usually do, because they become more brittle. We'll advise you based on your tooth.
Can a cracked tooth be saved?
Often, depending on where the crack runs. Seeing us early gives you more options.
What happens if I don't replace a missing tooth?
Neighbouring teeth can drift into the space and the opposite tooth can over-erupt, which can affect your bite. We'll explain your options: an implant, a bridge or a partial denture.
Dr. Anahita Azadi Boroujeni, DDS, Dr. Cynthia Simon, DMD, and Dr. Kyra de Gouw, DMD, are general dentists registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. This page is general information. Your treatment is planned after an examination.