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Restorative Dentistry — Hamilton, ON

Dental Crowns and Bridges in Hamilton, ON

A damaged or missing tooth affects more than appearance — it can affect how you eat, speak, and maintain surrounding teeth over time. At Barton Dental in Hamilton, our general dental practitioners provide dental crowns and bridges as part of a comprehensive restorative practice. Treatment recommendations are based on a complete clinical assessment of each tooth.
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Overview

What Are Dental Crowns and Bridges?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped restoration that fits over and fully encases the visible portion of a natural tooth — from just above the gum line upward. It restores the tooth’s shape, size, and structural integrity, and is cemented permanently in place. A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic used to replace a missing tooth. It consists of two crowns placed on the teeth on either side of the gap — the abutment teeth — with one or more artificial teeth suspended between them. A bridge is cemented permanently and does not need to be removed for cleaning. Crowns and bridges are established restorative treatments with a long clinical history. Both rely on materials that have improved substantially in durability and aesthetic quality in recent decades.
Crown Materials

Crown Materials — What We Use and Why

The material selected for a crown depends on the tooth’s location in the mouth, the forces it must withstand, and aesthetic considerations. Our dentist discusses material options at the treatment planning stage.
Zirconia
A high-strength ceramic without a metal substructure. Durable and natural-looking. Appropriate for both back and front teeth and increasingly used as a standard material for posterior restorations.
All-Ceramic (E-max)
A lithium disilicate ceramic. High translucency and natural light transmission make it well-suited for front teeth where aesthetic precision is important. Slightly less fracture-resistant than zirconia.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM)
A metal substructure with a porcelain outer layer. A well-documented material with good longevity. A grey line at the gumline can become visible over time as gums recede.
Material Selection Is Clinical
Material selection is based on clinical requirements — tooth location, bite load, and aesthetics — rather than preference alone. The differences between materials and their respective costs are explained at the treatment planning appointment.
The Process

Crown and Bridge Treatment — Step by Step

The material selected for a crown depends on the tooth’s location in the mouth, the forces it must withstand, and aesthetic considerations. Our dentist discusses material options at the treatment planning stage.
Consultation and Clinical Assessment
Before Preparation
Treatment Planning and Material Selection
During Preparation
Tooth Preparation and Temporary Crown
Temporary Crown Period
Impressions and Laboratory Fabrication
After Permanent Crown
Final Placement and Long-Term Care
Bridge Hygiene
Candidacy

When Is a Crown or Bridge the Appropriate Treatment?

The decision to place a crown or bridge is clinical — based on the structural condition of the tooth, extent of damage or decay, health of surrounding gum and bone, and the patient’s overall dental health.

1

Cracked or Fractured Tooth
A crack that extends into the tooth structure cannot be reliably restored with a filling. A crown holds the tooth together and prevents the crack from propagating. The extent of the fracture is assessed clinically and with X-rays.

2

Extensively Decayed Tooth
When decay removes a significant portion of natural tooth structure and the remaining tooth cannot reliably support a filling, a crown provides full coverage and protection. Remaining decay is removed before crown placement.

3

Following Root Canal Therapy
Posterior teeth treated with root canal therapy are more susceptible to fracture. A crown significantly improves the long-term prognosis of a root-canal-treated back tooth.
Realistic Expectations

What Crowns and Bridges Achieve — and What to Know Going In

Crowns and bridges restore function and appearance, but it is important to understand both what they achieve and the considerations involved.
Tooth Preparation Is Irreversible
Preparing a tooth for a crown removes a defined amount of outer tooth structure — this cannot be undone. Our dentist does not recommend crown preparation when a filling or other conservative treatment is clinically appropriate.
Temporary Sensitivity Is Common
Some sensitivity to temperature and pressure is normal in the first days to weeks after preparation. This generally resolves as the tooth settles. Contact our clinic if sensitivity is significant or persistent.
Ongoing Hygiene Is Essential
The margin between a crown and the natural tooth, and the tissue under a bridge pontic, accumulate plaque if hygiene is inconsistent. Consistent home care and regular professional cleanings are required for longevity.
Restorations Are Not Permanent
Crowns and bridges are durable but do not last indefinitely. Longevity depends on the material, original fit, oral hygiene, and factors such as bruxism. Our dentist discusses realistic expectations for your specific case.
Cost and Planning

What Influences the Cost of Crown and Bridge Treatment?

Crown and bridge costs vary based on several clinical factors. An accurate estimate requires a clinical examination. A complete written cost breakdown is provided before any treatment begins. No fees are collected without your informed agreement.

Cost Factors

  • Crown Material
  • Number of Units
  • Core Build-Up
  • Preliminary Treatment
  • Insurance

Written Estimate Before Treatment

  • Complete Transparency
  • No Surprises
  • Insurance Pre-Determination
  • Direct Billing
  • Questions Welcome
After Your Crown or Bridge

Caring for Your Crown or Bridge Long-Term

How you care for a crown or bridge after placement has a direct effect on how long it lasts. Here are the key aftercare steps our dentists recommend.
  • Brush twice daily and floss once daily — pay particular attention to the margin where the crown meets the natural tooth, as plaque here leads to decay and gum disease
  • For bridges, use floss threaders or interdental brushes to clean under the pontic every day — this is not optional, as plaque under a bridge causes decay and gum problems in the tissue beneath
  • Avoid chewing very hard foods — ice, hard candy, nutshells — on the restoration, particularly in the weeks after cementation and whenever you notice any change in fit or comfort
  • If you grind your teeth at night, let our team know — a custom occlusal splint can protect both your natural teeth and your restoration from the effects of bruxism
  • Attend all scheduled professional checkups — our dentist examines the crown margin, surrounding gum, and the bite at each visit to identify problems before they require more significant treatment
Why Barton Dental

Comprehensive Assessment Before Preparation

At Barton Dental, crown and bridge treatment is provided by experienced general dental practitioners with a commitment to conservative, clinically sound care.
Comprehensive Assessment Before Preparation
Before any preparation begins, our dentist conducts a complete clinical examination — including digital X-rays to assess the root, surrounding bone, and adjacent teeth. We do not recommend crown preparation when a filling or more conservative treatment would be clinically appropriate. If a root canal is required before the crown, both stages are planned together from the start so there are no surprises and the crown is ready when it is needed.
Written Cost Estimate Before Any Work Begins
No treatment begins at Barton Dental without a complete written cost breakdown provided in advance. This includes all components: preparation, laboratory fees, cementation, core build-up if required, and any preliminary procedures such as root canal therapy. We direct bill to most insurance providers and submit pre-determinations where requested. You will always know exactly what you are agreeing to before any irreversible work begins.
Natural-Looking Materials for New & Existing Patients
Modern ceramic materials — zirconia and all-ceramic options — produce restorations that are difficult to distinguish from natural tooth structure in most cases. Careful shade matching at the treatment planning stage ensures the crown blends with the surrounding teeth in colour, translucency, and form. Whether you are replacing a single damaged back tooth or addressing a visible front tooth, the aesthetic outcome is considered alongside the clinical requirements. New patients are welcome — no referral required.
Related Services

Related Dental Services at Barton Dental

Root canal treatment is frequently the clinical step that precedes crown placement. Dental implants offer an alternative to bridges for replacing missing teeth. Both pathways are available at Barton Dental.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal treatment is frequently the clinical step that precedes crown placement — particularly for teeth with infected or compromised pulp. Our team manages both stages.
Dental Implants
For patients with one or more missing teeth, a dental implant replaces both the tooth root and the visible crown without requiring modification of adjacent teeth.
Sedation Dentistry
For patients who experience dental anxiety, sedation options are available to support a more comfortable experience during crown preparation and other restorative appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions

Crowns and Bridges in Hamilton — Patient FAQs

Answers to the most commonly asked questions about crown and bridge treatment at Barton Dental in Hamilton.
Q: Are dental crowns painful?
The preparation appointment is performed under local anaesthesia. Post-appointment sensitivity for a few days is common and typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. Contact our clinic if significant pain persists beyond one week.
With good oral hygiene and regular professional care, a well-placed crown can function for many years. Longevity depends on the material, original fit, home care, and factors such as bruxism.
No. Crowns and bridges at Barton Dental are provided by our general dental practitioners — no referral is required.
Both options have clinical advantages and limitations. A bridge is completed more quickly but requires preparation of adjacent teeth. An implant preserves adjacent tooth structure but involves surgery and a longer treatment timeline. Our dentist discusses both options at the consultation.
Crown costs vary based on material, whether a core build-up is required, and clinical complexity. An accurate estimate requires an examination. Barton Dental provides a written cost breakdown before any treatment begins.

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Barton Dental is currently welcoming new patients in Hamilton. We offer convenient weekday and Saturday hours, accept most major insurance plans, and are always happy to answer questions before your first visit.

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