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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Dental Bridges in Forestville
A bridge can replace one or more missing teeth using neighbouring teeth for support. Forestville patients can compare bridges with other options in Port Dover.
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Caring for Forestville patients at our Port Dover office
Every dental service for ForestvilleSpan the gap
A bridge anchors a replacement tooth to the teeth beside it.
When a tooth is lost, the space can affect chewing, speech and appearance, and the neighbouring teeth may slowly drift into it. A fixed bridge replaces the missing tooth with an artificial one, called a pontic, held in place by crowns on the teeth on either side or by implants. Unlike a denture, it stays in your mouth and is cleaned in place every day.
Forestville residents weighing up a bridge can arrange an assessment at our Port Dover office. The dentist examines the gap and the teeth that would support the bridge, explains how it compares with an implant or partial denture and outlines the appointments needed to complete the work from start to finish.
Weighing options
The best replacement depends on the teeth beside the gap.
When a bridge is a strong choice
If the teeth on either side of the gap already have large fillings or crowns, using them as supports for a bridge can make good sense, since they may benefit from crowns anyway. A bridge can usually be completed within a few weeks and without surgery. The dentist checks whether those teeth and their gums are healthy enough to take on extra load.
How implants and partials compare
Implants replace a tooth without altering the neighbouring teeth, but they involve surgery and a healing period. Partial dentures are removable and can replace several teeth at once. Ask the dentist to compare each option in terms of preparation, maintenance, lifespan and how it would suit your bone, gums and health. There is rarely one answer for everyone.
Preparing the supports
The supporting teeth are prepared to hold the bridge securely.
Shaping the anchor teeth
After freezing, the dentist reshapes the teeth on either side of the gap to make room for the crowns that will hold the bridge. This removes some enamel, which is a permanent change and one reason to consider all the options carefully beforehand. If either tooth has decay or an old filling, that is dealt with during preparation so the foundation is sound.
Impressions and a temporary bridge
Impressions or a scan capture the prepared teeth and the space between them, and a shade is chosen to match your smile. A temporary bridge or crowns protect the teeth while the permanent bridge is made. Avoid sticky and hard foods on the temporary, and call the office if it loosens before your next appointment.
Fitting the bridge
The final bridge is checked carefully before it is cemented.
Checking fit, bite and appearance
When the permanent bridge is ready, the dentist removes the temporary and tries in the new one. The fit at the gumline, the contact with neighbouring teeth, your bite and the colour are all checked. Speak up if something feels high or looks different from what you expected, because adjustments are much easier to make before the bridge is cemented.
Cementing the bridge in place
Once everyone is satisfied, the bridge is cemented onto the supporting teeth and your bite is checked once more. It can take a few days to get used to how it feels. Mild sensitivity in the anchor teeth is common at first and should ease, but report any pain that persists or increases over the following weeks.
Caring for a bridge
Daily cleaning under the bridge protects the supporting teeth.
Cleaning under the replacement tooth
Food and plaque can collect under the replacement tooth and around the anchor crowns. Floss threaders, small interdental brushes or a water flosser help reach these spots. Ask the hygienist to demonstrate how to use them. Decay or gum disease around the supporting teeth is one of the most common reasons bridges fail, so daily cleaning really matters.
Regular checkups and monitoring
Keep up with regular checkups, so the team can examine the bridge, the supporting teeth and the surrounding gums. X-rays may be taken to look for hidden decay under the crowns. If the bridge feels loose, your bite changes or you notice an unpleasant taste, call the office rather than waiting for your next visit from Forestville.
Planning your appointment
Plan a bridge consultation from Forestville.
Call our Port Dover office to discuss replacing a missing tooth. Let the team know how long the gap has been there and whether the teeth beside it already have crowns or large fillings.
Bring recent X-rays or records from any previous dentist if they are available, along with a list of your medications and health conditions.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Dental bridge questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
How long does a dental bridge last?
Many bridges last for years with good home care and regular checkups. How long yours lasts depends on the health of the supporting teeth and gums, your bite forces and your cleaning habits. The dentist can discuss realistic expectations for your case.
Does getting a bridge hurt?
The preparation is done with local anaesthetic, so you should feel pressure rather than pain. Some sensitivity in the anchor teeth afterward is common and usually improves within a few weeks. Report persistent or worsening discomfort to the office.
Can I eat normally with a bridge?
Most people return to a normal diet once they have adjusted to the bridge. Avoid very hard or sticky foods that could damage it, and clean carefully under the replacement tooth after meals to keep the supporting teeth healthy.
Is a bridge better than an implant?
Neither is better for everyone. Bridges avoid surgery but involve shaping the neighbouring teeth, while implants leave those teeth untouched but require surgery and healing time. The dentist will compare both for your situation and priorities.
What happens if a supporting tooth gets decay?
Decay under a bridge may mean the bridge has to be removed so the tooth can be treated, and sometimes a new bridge is needed. Careful daily cleaning and regular checkups help reduce this risk and catch problems early when they are easier to manage.
Other tooth replacement for Forestville
General Dentistry →Dental Implants →
Implants replace missing teeth with a post placed in the jawbone. Forestville patients can learn about suitability, healing time and planning in Port Dover.
Dentures →
Thinking about dentures after losing teeth or facing extractions? Forestville residents can learn how the transition works at our Port Dover office.