Dental Bridges in Kitchener
Replacing missing teeth at Sherwood Dental in Kitchener
A missing tooth affects more than your smile. Nearby teeth lean into the space, the opposing tooth can drift, and chewing shifts to the other side. At Sherwood Dental in Kitchener, we replace missing teeth with fixed bridges and dentures, and we’ll help you choose the option that fits your mouth, your health and your budget. If a dental implant is the better fit for you, we can refer you to a specialist. Here’s how a bridge works, how long it takes and what to expect afterward.
Your Options for Replacing Missing Teeth
There are a few ways to fill a gap. The best choice depends on how many teeth are missing, the health of the teeth beside the space and the bone underneath.
Fixed bridges
A traditional bridge uses the teeth on either side of the gap as anchors. Those teeth are shaped and crowned, and a replacement tooth is joined between them. A bridge is cemented in, so you don’t take it out. The section on getting a dental bridge further down this page explains how the visits work.
Dentures
A partial denture fills one or more gaps and clips onto your natural teeth. A full denture replaces a whole arch. Dentures are removable and a good fit for people who aren’t candidates for surgery. See our dentures page for how they’re made.
Dental implants
An implant is a titanium post placed in the jawbone where the root used to be, with a crown attached on top. We don’t place implants at our office. If an implant looks like the better option for you, we can refer you to a specialist and keep looking after the rest of your dental care here.
Bridge vs Denture
Here’s how the two compare on the questions patients ask most:
- Effect on other teeth: a bridge needs the teeth on both sides to be crowned. A partial denture rests on and clasps nearby teeth.
- Treatment time: a bridge usually takes two visits a couple of weeks apart. A denture takes a few weeks of appointments.
- Surgery: neither a bridge nor a denture needs surgery.
- Daily care: a bridge is brushed and flossed like your teeth, with extra cleaning under the replacement tooth. Dentures come out for cleaning and overnight.
- Upkeep over time: both may need replacing or relining over the years.
If the teeth next to your gap already have large fillings or crowns, a bridge can make sense because those teeth benefit from crowns anyway. We’ll look at your X-rays with you and explain which way we’d lean and why.
Getting a Dental Bridge in Kitchener
If you’re missing one tooth, or a few in a row, a fixed bridge fills the space with replacement teeth that stay in full time. Unlike a partial denture, it doesn’t come out at night. Before recommending one, we look closely at the teeth on either side of the gap, your bite and your gums, since the bridge relies on those neighbouring teeth for support.
Why patients choose a bridge
- It closes the gap left by one or more missing teeth
- It keeps the teeth next to the space from tipping or drifting into it
- It helps support your lips and cheeks, so your face keeps its natural shape
- Chewing and speaking feel normal again
- It’s a fixed option if you’re tired of taking a partial denture in and out
- No surgery is needed, and treatment is usually finished within a few weeks
How the bridge visits work
- Preparing the support teeth. With the area frozen, we reshape the teeth beside the gap so crowns can fit over them, then take an impression for the dental lab.
- Wearing a temporary. You leave with a temporary bridge that protects the prepared teeth and fills the space while your bridge is being made, usually for a few weeks.
- Fitting the final bridge. We check the fit, the shade and your bite, make small adjustments and cement it in place. Sometimes we use temporary cement first so you can get used to the bridge before we fix it permanently.
Before you leave, we’ll show you how to clean under the replacement tooth with a floss threader or a small interdental brush. Food and plaque collect there, and keeping that area clean protects the support teeth.
Caring for a Bridge
Bridges depend on healthy anchor teeth, which can still decay at the edges of the crowns. Daily care is what protects them:
- Brush twice a day and clean under the bridge once a day with floss, a floss threader or small interdental brushes
- A water flosser can help reach under a bridge
- Keep up regular checkups and cleanings so we can check the gums and bite
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth, since grinding puts heavy force on bridges
- Avoid chewing ice or using your teeth as tools
Risks to Know About
With bridges, the main risks are decay or gum problems around the anchor teeth and, less often, a root canal needed on an anchor tooth later. A crown or bridge can also chip or come loose over time. Our dental crowns page covers how crowns are made and cared for.
Insurance, Direct Billing and CDCP for Bridges in Kitchener
Every case is different, so after your exam we explain the fees for your treatment plan before anything starts, and we can give you a written estimate to send to your insurer. What your plan looks at depends on things like:
- How many teeth are being replaced
- Whether an extraction is needed first
- Any treatment needed first, such as gum care or fillings
Many dental plans cover part of a bridge, though limits vary. We bill most plans directly and can send a predetermination so you know your share before treatment starts. If you’re enrolled in the Canadian Dental Care Plan, read our CDCP page and confirm current coverage on canada.ca, since what’s covered for tooth replacement can change. Our payment options page has more details. For anything your plan doesn’t cover, we accept credit cards and cash.
Dental Bridges FAQ
How long does a bridge last?
With good care, bridges commonly last many years, and how long depends a lot on the health of the anchor teeth and your cleaning habits.
Does getting a bridge hurt?
The area is frozen while we prepare the support teeth, so you shouldn’t feel pain, just pressure.
What if I’d rather have an implant?
We can refer you to a specialist for implant treatment and keep looking after your regular dental care here.
What if I wait to replace a missing tooth?
The teeth around the gap can tip and shift, which can make a bridge harder to place later and can change your bite. Our post on the benefits of replacing missing teeth explains why sooner is usually easier.
Talk to Us About Replacing a Missing Tooth
If you’re missing a tooth or have one that can’t be saved, book an exam at Sherwood Dental in Kitchener. We’ll take the X-rays we need, go over bridge and denture options side by side, and give you a written estimate before you decide. Call us at 519-576-2170 or reach us through our contact page.
Related treatments
Questions or ready to book? Contact our Kitchener office or call 519-576-2170.