Scanned, not impressed
An intraoral scan instead of a tray of impression material.
In one paragraph
What it is.
A crown covers a tooth completely, holding together one that is cracked, root-treated, or too heavily filled to survive as it is. A bridge replaces a missing tooth by joining to the teeth either side.
A bridge means cutting down two healthy neighbours, so where an implant is possible we will usually suggest that first. Sometimes a bridge is genuinely the better choice, and we will say when.
The specifics.
Shade matching
Matched to the teeth beside it, not to a generic white.
Crown vs filling
If enough sound tooth remains, we fill. Crowns are for when it does not.
Bridge vs implant
An implant leaves the neighbouring teeth alone. We will compare both, with prices.
Temporary
You are never sent away with a stump.
Money
What it costs.
You get an itemised written estimate before anything starts. We bill your insurance directly, so you usually pay only your own portion on the day, and the Canadian Dental Care Plan is accepted. In-house financing is available through PaySpyre, so treatment can be paid for over time.
Questions.
How long do crowns last?
Well-made crowns commonly last ten to fifteen years or considerably longer. What usually fails is the tooth underneath, not the crown, which is why the fit at the gum line matters so much.
Is a bridge or an implant better?
An implant does not involve cutting down healthy teeth, so it is usually the first thing we discuss. A bridge can be the better answer where the neighbouring teeth already need crowns anyway.
How many appointments?
Usually two: preparation with a temporary, then fitting the final crown.