How Prosthodontists Fix Damaged Teeth
Oct 01, 2025
Cracked or missing teeth can impact more than your smile; they interfere with daily comfort and confidence. When lasting solutions are needed, a prosthodontist in Calgary offers professional care that restores both function and appearance. Whether it’s one tooth or your entire bite, these trained professionals focus on fixing damage with precision. Here’s how they help restore your best smile.
What Is a Prosthodontist?
A prosthodontist is a dentist with the latest training in restoring and replacing teeth. After dental school, they complete an extra three years of focused education. That means they handle complex cases that most general dentists refer out.
They focus on restoring:
- Broken or decayed teeth
- Teeth worn down from grinding.
- Teeth lost from injury or gum disease.
- Bites that don’t align well
- Full arches that need complete rebuilding
Think of them as the architects of your smile. Their treatment plans combine science, precision, and a whole lot of planning. They don’t just look at one tooth; they consider your entire mouth, including how your bite functions, jaw position, and long-term durability.
If you’re looking for a prosthodontist near you, ask your general dentist for a referral or search online.
Comprehensive Dental Evaluation
Before any treatment begins, you’ll get a full dental evaluation. This isn’t a five-minute glance. Prosthodontists take the time to study every detail of your mouth, from tooth shape to how your jaw moves when you chew.
They often use:
- Digital scans or X-rays
- Photos of your teeth and gums
- Models to study your bite
- Health history reviews
During the consultation, they listen closely. Whether you’re bothered by discomfort, embarrassed by missing teeth, or just tired of quick fixes, they create a plan based on your needs.
This kind of careful exam helps patients feel heard. You’re not just another appointment slot; they want to understand your story.
Dental Crowns for Strength and Protection
Sometimes a tooth is too damaged for a simple filling. That’s where dental crowns come in. A crown encases the entire visible part of a tooth, like a cap. It adds strength, restores shape, and prevents more damage.
Prosthodontists design crowns to match your natural teeth in colour and shape. You’ll be able to chew normally again, without fear of cracking the tooth further.
Crowns are ideal for:
- Teeth with large cavities
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Teeth after root canal therapy
- Worn-down teeth from grinding
If you’ve been searching for a dentist near you who offers more than just quick fixes, a prosthodontist can provide durable solutions with crowns that last.
Dental Bridges to Replace Missing Teeth
Missing a tooth doesn’t just affect your smile. It can throw off your entire bite. Neighbouring teeth shift. Food gets stuck more often. Even your jaw may feel sore from uneven pressure.
Dental bridges close the gap by anchoring to nearby healthy teeth. In the middle, the false tooth fills the space where your natural tooth used to be. A well-designed bridge looks natural and makes chewing easier again.
Your prosthodontist carefully prepares the anchor teeth and creates a custom fit so the bridge blends in with your smile.
Common reasons for bridges:
- Tooth loss from decay
- Injury or trauma
- Failed root canals
- One or two missing teeth in a row
For patients who want a fixed option (not a removable denture), bridges offer a sturdy, reliable fix.
Dental Implants for Permanent Restoration
When a tooth is missing, and you want the next best thing to the real one, dental implants are the gold standard. These titanium posts or devices are placed into the jawbone where the root once was. Once healed, a crown is attached on top.
Why do patients love them?
- They look and feel like real teeth.
- You don’t remove them to clean.
- They help prevent bone loss in the jaw.
- They don’t rely on other teeth for support.
Implants are an investment, but one that pays off in comfort and function. A skilled prosthodontist places and restores implants with precision, helping them last for decades.
If you’ve been told dentures are your only option, don’t settle. Ask a prosthodontist if you’re a candidate for dental implants.
Full Mouth Reconstruction When Needed
In some cases, damage isn’t limited to one or two teeth. Years of wear, disease, or injury may require a full mouth reconstruction. This is a comprehensive plan that may involve:
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Implants
- Dentures
- Bite adjustments
- Orthodontic coordination
This isn’t done in one visit. It takes time, patience, and trust. But when it’s complete, the results are life-changing. Patients often say it feels like getting their life back, eating comfortably, smiling freely, and living without pain.
If your mouth feels beyond repair, don’t lose hope. A full reconstruction is possible with the right professional guiding the way.