Dental Crowns & Bridges in NW Calgary
A dental crown restores a damaged tooth, and a dental bridge replaces a missing one, each made to look and work like your own. At our NW Calgary practice, both are planned around your bite and made to last.
What are dental crowns and bridges?
A dental crown is essentially a custom cap placed over a damaged or weakened tooth. The cap covers the whole tooth above the gumline, restoring its strength, shape, and appearance while protecting what remains beneath it. A dental bridge replaces missing teeth by anchoring a replacement tooth to crowns on the neighbouring teeth, known as abutment teeth, to span the gap. Both are fixed restorations, cared for much like your natural teeth.
When is a dental crown recommended?
A crown is usually recommended when a tooth has lost too much structure for a filling alone:
- A cracked, broken, or fractured tooth
- A tooth with extensive decay that a filling cannot repair
- A tooth with large fillings and little tooth structure remaining
- A severely worn tooth
- A tooth that has had root canal therapy
- A tooth that needs to support a dental bridge
For dental crowns in NW Calgary, the answer always starts with the tooth in front of us, and what it needs to last.
When is a dental bridge recommended?
A bridge is often the right answer when one or more teeth are missing with remaining teeth in front and behind. It restores your chewing function, keeps nearby teeth from drifting into the gap, and completes your row of teeth without surgery. A bridge can also be the better path when dental implants are not suitable.
Dr. Vredenburg will honestly walk you through both options.
Dr. Vredenburg will honestly walk you through both options.
Crowns and bridges in NW Calgary, planned for the long term
A restoration is only as good as the planning behind it. Crowns and bridges at Calgary Fine Dentistry are planned with your long-term dental health in mind, because a restoration that ignores your bite will not last, however good it looks. Our crowns and bridges are made by the dental labs we trust, fabricated by skilled technicians, since fit and longevity matter more to us than turnaround time. Our boutique practice in Capitol Hill has been generationally owned since 2006, and Dr. Vredenburg, trained at McGill with a residency at UCLA, prepares and places every restoration herself.
Crown materials and choosing the right fit
All-ceramic and porcelain
A natural appearance that blends with your own teeth; often chosen for visible front teeth.
Porcelain fused to metal
Strength with a natural look, balancing durability and appearance.
Full metal, gold alloy
Maximum durability and gentle on opposing teeth; often chosen for back teeth.
Dr. Vredenburg will advise on the material best suited to your tooth, your bite, and your situation.
What to expect during crown and bridge treatment
Treatment involves several steps across two appointments, with the final fitting about one to two weeks after your first visit.
STEP 1
Preparation
The tooth is carefully prepared, a digital scan is taken in place of traditional putty impressions, and a temporary crown or temporary bridge is placed to keep the tooth covered while the lab crafts your restoration.
STEP 2
Placement
The temporary is removed and the permanent bridge or crown, your final restoration, is fitted, adjusted around your bite, and cemented in place.
How we approach every restoration
Restorations built to last
Crowns and bridges are made by the labs we trust, planned around your bite so they fit, function, and last.
The same dentist, every visit
Dr. Vredenburg prepares, fits, and adjusts your restoration herself, across both appointments and every visit after.
Function planned first
A restoration that looks right but throws off your bite will not last. We plan function and appearance together.
Honest recommendations
We will tell you plainly whether a crown, a filling, or another option is right for your tooth.
Replacing an old or damaged crown or bridge in NW Calgary
Bridges serve well for many years, but not forever. Signs yours may need replacing include visible wear, looseness, or recurring decay (cavity) around the anchor teeth. Addressing these issues early prevents further damage to the teeth beneath. Dr. Vredenburg will evaluate the bridge, the anchor teeth, and the gums, then talk through your options, whether a new bridge, an implant-supported replacement or a removable restoration.
The cost of crowns and bridges in Calgary
The cost of a crown or bridge depends on the material, the number of units, and the complexity of the work. Dental bridge cost in Calgary varies for the same reasons, and dental insurance often covers a portion, so it is worth checking your plan. Coverage under the Canadian Dental Care Plan depends on your eligibility and the specific treatment, and we are happy to help you understand what your plan covers. We do not direct bill, though we are glad to submit the claim to your insurance company on your behalf, with reimbursement sent directly to you. You will receive a written estimate before any work begins.
Caring for your crown or bridge
- Regular brushing twice daily and flossing, with a floss threader or water flosser to clean under a bridge
- Keep up with regular hygiene appointments
- Avoid chewing very hard objects, such as ice, that can fracture porcelain
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
Your hygiene visits are also when we check that your crown or bridge is holding up as it should.
The team behind your crown and bridge care
Every crown and bridge passes through hands we have chosen deliberately. Dr. Vredenburg prepares and places every restoration herself. The crowns and bridges are made by the dental labs we trust, fabricated by skilled technicians for fit and longevity, and for complex cases she draws on a specialist network she has worked with for years. You will see Dr. Vredenburg at every visit, and behind her, the labs and specialists chosen for the same standard of care.
What Our Patients Say
Ready to book your crown or bridge consultation?
We are welcoming new patients across NW Calgary. Fill out the form, and we will be in touch the next business day to walk you through our new patient experience and make sure we are the right practice for your restoration.
Common questions about crowns and bridges
How long does a dental crown last?
A crown typically lasts five to fifteen years, and with good care we have seen them last much longer than that. Lifespan depends on your bite, your habits, the health of the tooth beneath and how well you take care of it.
Can a dental crown fall off?
It can happen, though it is uncommon with a well-fitted crown. Causes include weakened cement, a cavity under the crown, or biting something very hard or sticky. Keep the crown safe and call us; in many cases it can be recemented.
Is a dental bridge or implant better for replacing a missing tooth?
Neither is better in every case. A bridge is fixed, needs no surgery, is typically completed in two to three visits, and can last 5 to 15 years with proper care. An implant preserves nearby teeth and the jawbone, though it requires surgical placement and a healing period of several months, but can last just as long.
How do I clean under a dental bridge?
Daily cleaning under the bridge matters most for its longevity. A floss threader passes floss beneath the replacement tooth, and a water flosser makes the same job easier. Your hygienist will show you the technique at your next visit.
Does getting a crown hurt?
The tooth is fully frozen during preparation, so the procedure itself should not be painful. Some sensitivity in the days after is normal and settles on its own. If dental work makes you anxious, tell us, and we will take the time you need and discuss what options there are for making you comfortable for the appointment.
How do I know if I need a crown or a filling?
It comes down to how much healthy tooth structure remains. For most patients, a filling repairs a smaller area of damage, while a crown protects a tooth too weakened to hold a filling reliably, and prevents the tooth from fracturing with more support than a filling can provide.
Can crowns fix cosmetic issues?
Yes. A crown can improve the appearance of a misshapen, stained, or worn tooth, since the cap is shade-matched and shaped to suit your smile. Veneers and bonding are other options to improve cosmetic issues. The best option depends on the amount of existing tooth structure and the goals of treatment.