Prosthodontic Care
Replacement of Worn or Failing Dental Work
Fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures do not last forever. Replacing them when they wear out can help protect the teeth underneath and keep your bite comfortable.
Prosthodontic care at West End Dental Centre is provided by our general dentist team. Our dentists are not licensed specialists in prosthodontics.
Why dental work wears out
Every restoration is exposed to years of chewing, temperature changes and bacteria. Over time, fillings can wear down or pull away from the tooth, crowns can chip or develop gaps at the edges, and bridges can loosen. Dentures are affected too, because the gums and bone underneath gradually change shape after teeth are lost.
Grinding, clenching, new decay around the edges of older work, and gum recession can all shorten the life of a restoration. Catching these changes early often means a simpler replacement.
Signs your dental work may need attention
Some failing restorations cause no symptoms at all, which is why checkups and X-rays matter. Common signs include:
- A filling or crown that feels rough, cracked, high or loose
- Sensitivity or discomfort around an older restoration
- Dark lines or staining at the edge of a crown or filling
- Food catching under a bridge or around a crown
- A denture that slips, rubs or makes chewing difficult
- Older restorations that no longer match the colour of your teeth
Only a dental examination and X-rays can confirm whether a restoration needs repair or replacement.
How replacement works
The approach depends on what is failing and why, but most cases follow a similar path:
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Examination and X-rays
Your dentist checks the restoration, the tooth beneath it and the surrounding gums, using digital X-rays to look for hidden decay.
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Repair, replace or upgrade
Sometimes a small repair is enough. Other times a worn restoration is best replaced with the same type, or with a different option, such as a crown in place of a very large filling.
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Removing the old work
The old restoration is carefully removed and any decay underneath is cleaned out, with the area numbed for your comfort.
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Placing the new restoration
The new filling, crown, bridge or denture is placed or fitted and shaped to suit your bite.
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Bite check and follow-up
Your dentist confirms that everything feels comfortable and monitors the restoration at future checkups.
Replacing older metal fillings and crowns
Some patients ask about replacing silver amalgam fillings or older metal-based crowns for appearance. This can be an option, but removing a sound restoration also removes some healthy tooth structure. Your dentist will give you an honest view of whether replacement is advisable now or whether it makes sense to wait.
Restorations we commonly replace
- Tooth-coloured fillings to replace worn or leaking fillings
- Dental crowns for cracked or heavily restored teeth
- Porcelain bridges to replace an older or failing bridge
- Dentures, including relines and new dentures when the fit has changed
Prosthodontic Care
- Prosthodontic Care Overview
- Dentures
- Porcelain Bridges
- Dental Crowns & Bridges
- Implant-Supported Restorations
- Complete Smile Restoration / Smile In A Day
- Inlays & Onlays
- Replacement of Worn or Failing Dental Work
Is your dental work due for a check?
Call 780-944-2828 or book an appointment online.