Dental Bridges Waterdown

What Is A Dental Bridge?

Dental Bridges are a custom-made, fixed or non-removable prosthesis used to restore gaps and replace one or more missing teeth. They are permanently bonded in place to provide a long-term solution for missing teeth

Purposes of Dental Bridges

Replacing missing teeth
Preventing movement of other teeth
Fixing the aesthetics of your smile
Full mouth rehabilitation
Dental Implant therapy

How is a Dental Bridge prepared?

We prepare the abutments for crowns when preparing teeth for a bridge, just as described in crowns. After taking an imprint of the prepared teeth, we place a temporary bridge or crowns to protect the teeth and maintain their positions. We then send the imprint to a dental laboratory for bridge fabrication.On the next visit, we fit the bridge for a satisfactory fit and secure it in place.

Do you really need to replace a missing tooth?

If you have missing teeth, it's important to consider replacing them as soon as possible. The surrounding teeth and those on the opposite arch can begin to shift out of place, leading to several oral health issues such as:

Increased risk of tooth decay
Uneven wear and bite force
Impact on the feel of your bite and appearance of your smile

Here at Panacea Dental in Waterdown, we offer crowns and bridge services to our patients. If you have missing teeth, please call us at 289-408-5100 and book a consultation with our dentist to discuss your options.

Related Treatments

Not sure which treatment you need? Book a consultation or call 289-408-5100.

Types of Dental Bridge

Traditional bridge. The most common kind. The teeth either side of the gap are prepared for crowns, and the replacement tooth is joined between them.

Cantilever bridge. Supported from one side only, used where there is a suitable tooth on just one side of the gap.

Resin bonded bridge. A replacement tooth with small wings bonded to the backs of the neighbouring teeth. It needs little preparation of those teeth and is mostly used at the front of the mouth where bite forces are lighter.

Implant supported bridge. Anchored to dental implants rather than to natural teeth, often used where several teeth in a row are missing.

Bridge or Implant?

A bridge is quicker, usually finished in two visits a couple of weeks apart, and costs less up front. Its drawback is that the neighbouring teeth have to be crowned, which matters most when those teeth are healthy and unfilled. An implant leaves the neighbours alone and replaces the root, which helps preserve the jawbone, but it takes months and costs more. If the teeth beside the gap already have large fillings or crowns, a bridge often makes good sense, because crowning them protects them too. Our article on replacing a missing tooth compares all three options.

Looking After a Bridge

The replacement tooth sits just above the gum, and food and plaque collect underneath it. That area needs cleaning every day with a floss threader, superfloss or a small interdental brush, because decay or gum disease in the supporting teeth is the most common reason a bridge fails. With good cleaning and regular checkups, bridges commonly last ten years or more.

Cost and Coverage

Bridges usually fall under the major services category of a dental plan, which is typically covered at a lower percentage and counts against the annual maximum. We send a predetermination first so you know your share. Timing across two benefit years is sometimes worth discussing, see when dental insurance resets.

Dental Bridge Questions

Usually two visits a couple of weeks apart: one to prepare the supporting teeth and take impressions, and one to fit the finished bridge. A temporary bridge is worn in between.

Commonly ten years or more. Daily cleaning under the bridge and regular checkups make the biggest difference, since decay in the supporting teeth is the usual cause of failure.

It depends on the neighbouring teeth, the bone and your budget. A bridge is faster and cheaper up front; an implant leaves the neighbouring teeth untouched. We explain both after an examination.

Many plans cover bridges under major services at a reduced percentage. We send a predetermination first so your share is confirmed in writing.