Restorative Dentistry in Sidney, BC
When a tooth needs attention, we handle most of it right here in Sidney. From fillings and crowns to root canals and bridges — comprehensive restorative care under one roof.
Dental Crowns, Inlays & Onlays —
Full and partial tooth restorations
Dental Implants —
Completing your implant restoration
Root Canal Therapy —
Relieve pain and save your tooth
Dental Bridges —
Fixed replacement for missing teeth
Tooth Extractions & Wisdom Teeth —
When a tooth can't be saved
About Restorative Dentistry
Most restorative work is just damage control — the sooner you act, the simpler the fix.
Restorative dentistry covers everything we do to repair teeth that have been damaged by decay, fracture, wear, or infection. The goal is always to save as much natural tooth structure as possible — and to do it in a way that's durable, comfortable, and natural-looking.
The single most important thing patients can do is not wait. A small cavity that needs a filling today becomes a tooth that needs a crown in six months, and potentially a root canal after that.
We'll always be straightforward with you about what something needs and what happens if it's left alone — so you can make the call with full information.
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Restorative Dental Services in Sidney
Dental Crowns, Inlays, and Onlays
When a tooth has too much damage for a filling to handle, a crown, onlay, or inlay is the right answer. The difference is how much of the tooth needs to be covered. A crown caps the entire visible portion of the tooth. An onlay covers the damaged cusp or cusps. An inlay restores the area between the cusps. When an inlay or onlay can do the job, it's the more conservative choice — less natural tooth structure removed.
We work in a range of materials depending on what the tooth needs. Zirconia for strength and aesthetics on back teeth. Porcelain and ceramic for front teeth where appearance is the priority. Porcelain-fused-to-metal where the margin needs to extend below the gumline. Full gold for patients who want maximum longevity and a gentler effect on opposing teeth. We'll always explain what we're recommending and why.
Missing teeth do more than affect your smile — over time, the surrounding bone and teeth can shift to compensate, changing your bite.
Dental implants address that directly. A titanium post is placed in the jaw to act as a new tooth root, then topped with a custom crown once it's fully healed and integrated. Unlike a bridge, neighbouring teeth aren't altered or relied on for support.
Implants are built to function and look like a natural tooth, and with proper care, they're designed to last decades — for most patients, the closest thing to getting the original tooth back.
The process takes longer than a single visit, since the post needs time to heal before the final crown goes on, but for a permanent, standalone replacement, it's the gold standard.
Dental Implants
A bridge replaces a missing tooth with a fixed, permanent restoration — no surgery, no removable appliance. It consists of an artificial tooth held in place by crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap. Once cemented, it functions and feels like a natural tooth.
Replacing missing teeth promptly matters more than most people realize. The surrounding teeth will gradually shift into the gap over time, affecting your bite and making them harder to keep clean. The jawbone beneath a missing tooth also begins to resorb without a root to stimulate it. A bridge addresses the gap immediately and preserves the alignment of your remaining teeth.
We'll also discuss implant crowns as an alternative — so you can weigh the options and decide what makes sense for your situation.
Dental Bridges
Extraction is always a last resort. We'll always explore whether a tooth can be saved before recommending removal. When it can't — due to severe decay, fracture, or infection — removing it cleanly and promptly is the right call.
We also assess and remove problematic wisdom teeth right here in our Oak Bay office, including impacted teeth that are causing pain, crowding, or repeated infection.
Complex cases requiring oral surgery are referred to a specialist, and we'll let you know during your assessment if that's the case.
Tooth Extractions
A root canal removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth — the pulp — and seals it to prevent reinfection. It allows us to save a tooth that would otherwise need to come out.
Despite its reputation, the procedure itself is not painful — the infection is what hurts. Most patients are genuinely surprised by how manageable it is.
Root canals are recommended when decay or damage has reached the inner tooth, when there's an abscess, or when a tooth has become severely sensitive to temperature.
Symptoms worth acting on quickly include a persistent toothache, swelling, or a pimple on the gum near a tooth. The sooner it's treated, the simpler the case.
Most teeth treated with a root canal will need a crown afterward to protect and strengthen them long-term.
Root Canal Therapy
A note from Dr. Andrews
"I'd rather show you a small cavity on an x-ray and explain your options than have you come back in a year with a tooth that needs a root canal. The honest conversation upfront is always better for everyone."
Dr. Austin Andrews · General & Restorative Dentist · Sidney By The Sea Dental
Have you got a tooth that needs some attention? Let's sort it out.
We handle most restorative work right here in our Sidney office — often faster than you'd expect. If you're in pain, call us directly and we'll do everything we can to see you the same day. Otherwise, book online and we'll get you in.