Dental Bridges in Kitchener

A fixed dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth with a false tooth that’s anchored to the teeth on either side of the gap. Unlike a partial denture, it’s cemented in place and doesn’t come out. At Highland Kitchener Dentist, our office on Highland Rd W in west Kitchener, we make tooth-coloured porcelain bridges that are shaded and shaped so they sit naturally in your smile and hold up to everyday chewing.

How a fixed bridge works

A traditional bridge has three parts joined as one piece. The false tooth in the middle is called a pontic. On each side is a crown that fits over a natural tooth, called an abutment. Those two teeth are reshaped so the crowns can slip over them, and the whole bridge is cemented on. When you bite, the force on the false tooth is carried by the teeth on each side.

Because the bridge is fixed, it feels much more like your own teeth than a removable appliance does. You brush it, floss under it, and carry on.

Why fill the gap at all?

A missing back tooth can seem like something you can live with, and some people do for years. Over time, though, the teeth beside the space tend to tip into it, and the tooth above or below can drift down. That shifting opens new food traps, can make your bite uneven, and puts extra load on the teeth that are left. A gap near the front affects how you look and speak. Replacing the tooth keeps the rest of your teeth where they belong.

Types of bridges

• Traditional bridge. Crowns on the teeth on both sides of the gap with a false tooth between them. This is the most common design.
• Cantilever bridge. The false tooth is supported from one side only. It’s used in a few specific spots where the forces are light.
• Bonded (Maryland) bridge. A false tooth with thin wings that bond to the backs of the neighbouring teeth. It needs very little reshaping, but it’s only suited to certain front teeth with a light bite.
• Implant supported bridge. When several teeth in a row are missing, implants can serve as the anchors instead of natural teeth. Implant treatment is available case by case after an assessment, and some patients may be referred, so we’ll talk through whether this option suits you.

Porcelain bridge materials

The material affects both how a bridge looks and how it handles chewing. We’ll recommend one based on where the gap is and how you bite.

All-ceramic and zirconia

These have no metal, so there’s no grey line at the gum and light passes through them more like natural enamel. Modern zirconia is very strong, which makes it a common choice for back teeth as well as front ones.

Porcelain fused to metal

A metal framework with porcelain layered over it. It has a long track record and works well in many situations, though a thin dark edge can sometimes show at the gumline if the gum recedes.

Getting the colour right

For a bridge near the front of your mouth, we take time over the shade, comparing it to your neighbouring teeth in natural light. If you’ve been thinking about whitening, do it before the bridge is made. Porcelain won’t change colour later, so we match the bridge to your teeth after whitening has settled.

Is a bridge right for you?

A bridge works well when the teeth next to the gap are healthy enough to support it, the gums are in good shape, and you’re willing to clean carefully around it every day. It’s often a good choice when the neighbouring teeth already have large fillings or crowns, because covering them with crowns protects them too.

It’s less ideal when the neighbouring teeth are untouched and healthy, since reshaping them removes enamel. In that situation an implant, which stands on its own, may be the better long-term option. For several missing teeth in different spots, a partial denture might make more sense. We’ll explain each choice so you can weigh them.

What to expect: two visits

First visit

We freeze the area, reshape the supporting teeth, and take impressions. The shade is chosen with you. Before you leave, we place a temporary bridge so you’re not walking around with prepared teeth or a visible gap. Temporaries are fine for a few weeks, but they’re weaker than the final bridge. Avoid sticky and hard foods on that side, and slide floss out sideways instead of pulling it up.

Second visit

Once the lab has made your bridge, usually in a couple of weeks, we remove the temporary, check the fit and colour, adjust your bite, and cement the bridge in place. It’s normal for the supporting teeth to feel a little sensitive to cold for a short time afterward.

Looking after your bridge

The false tooth sits just above the gum, and plaque collects under it. Regular floss can’t pass between teeth that are joined together, so you’ll need a different tool:

• A floss threader or a floss with a stiff end, guided under the false tooth once a day
• Small interdental brushes for the spaces beside the supporting crowns
• A water flosser, which many people find easiest for bridges

We’ll show you which one fits your bridge. Keep up regular checkups and cleanings, because the biggest threat to a bridge is decay or gum disease on the supporting teeth. With good care, many bridges last a long time.

When to call us

Get in touch if the bridge feels loose, if you taste something bad around it, if a supporting tooth starts to ache, or if the gum under the false tooth bleeds or swells. A bridge that has come off can often be cleaned and recemented if you bring it in promptly. Our Kitchener team can usually tell at a quick visit whether it’s a simple fix.

Insurance, direct billing and CDCP

Many dental plans cover part of a bridge, usually under major services, with waiting periods or yearly limits on some plans. We bill most plans directly, though some specialist work may be billed differently. We’ll explain the fees before treatment and can send an estimate to your insurer first. If you have the Canadian Dental Care Plan, ask us how it applies. For anything your plan doesn’t cover, we accept credit cards and cash.

Bridge questions

Does getting a bridge hurt?

The teeth are frozen while they’re prepared, so you shouldn’t feel more than pressure. Some tenderness for a day or two is normal.

Can a bridge be repaired?

Small chips in porcelain can sometimes be smoothed or repaired. If a supporting tooth develops a problem, the bridge may need to be replaced.

Bridge or implant: which lasts longer?

Both can last many years. An implant doesn’t depend on neighbouring teeth, which is an advantage. A bridge is usually quicker to complete. Your bone, gums and the health of nearby teeth decide which is better for you.

Replace a missing tooth in Kitchener

If you have a gap you’ve been meaning to deal with, come in and we’ll look at your options together. We’re at 140 Highland Rd W in Kitchener, close to Forest Heights and Westmount. Call 519-885-1598 or ask about same day appointments if a bridge has come loose.

Related treatments

• Dental crowns
• Dentures and partial dentures

Questions or ready to book? Contact our Kitchener office or call 519-885-1598.