What it is
The trade is speed against the neighbouring teeth.
A bridge is quicker than an implant and needs no surgery, which makes it the right answer for a lot of people. The cost is that the teeth either side get prepared for crowns, so healthy tooth structure is removed. Where those teeth already need crowns anyway, that cost largely disappears and a bridge becomes clearly sensible.
- You have a gap from a tooth lost or extracted
- The teeth either side already have large fillings or crowns
- You would rather avoid surgery
- Neighbouring teeth have started to tilt into the gap
- A denture is not what you want
- You want it done in weeks rather than months
What the visit is like
How it is made.
- Deciding between bridge and implantWe go through both honestly, including cost, timeline and what each does to the teeth either side. Sometimes the answer is neither, for now.
- Preparing the anchor teethBoth are freezed and shaped for crowns, then scanned or impressioned together with the gap.
- A temporary bridgeYou leave with a temporary so the gap is not visible while the permanent one is made.
- FittingFit, contacts and bite checked, then cemented. We will show you how to clean underneath it, which is the part that decides how long it lasts.
Cost and coverage
You should never be surprised by a bill.
Every plan arrives with the fee beside each line and the insurance estimate beside that, before you agree to anything. We submit to your plan directly where it allows it, and we are set up for the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Fees for this are quoted in writing after an exam, per tooth and per surface. Nobody can price it accurately from a website or over the phone.
Common questions
Asked on the phone most weeks.
Bridge or implant, which is better?
How do I clean under a bridge?
How long does a bridge last?
Booking
Say what it is when you call.
If it is pain, say that -- it changes how the day gets arranged. If it is a checkup for three people, say that too and we will try to put you in one morning.
Also at Brightside