Bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed, natural-looking restoration that seamlessly fills the gap left by one or more missing teeth. For patients in Stittsville, Kanata, and West Ottawa, bridges offer a reliable way to restore your chewing function, prevent surrounding teeth from shifting, and bring back a complete, confident smile.
Bridge the gap in your smile
When you lose a tooth, the surrounding healthy teeth naturally begin to drift into the empty space. This shifting can cause bite misalignment, jaw pain, and make the area harder to clean, increasing your risk of gum disease.
A dental bridge is a highly effective, non-removable prosthetic designed to quite literally "bridge" the gap created by missing teeth. At Luminara Dental, we craft custom bridges that blend perfectly with your natural enamel, restoring both the aesthetic beauty and the functional strength of your bite.
How a traditional dental bridge works
A traditional bridge consists of two main components working together:
- The Abutments: These are custom dental crowns that are permanently cemented onto the healthy teeth on either side of the empty space. These teeth act as the strong, secure anchors for your new restoration.
- The Pontic: This is the artificial replacement tooth (or teeth) that sits seamlessly in the gap, held firmly in place by the abutment crowns on either side.
Why choose a dental bridge?
Replacing a missing tooth with a bridge offers immediate, long-lasting benefits for your oral health and daily comfort:
- Restores function: You will be able to chew your favorite foods and speak clearly without the hindrance of a missing tooth.
- Prevents shifting: By filling the empty space, a bridge keeps your remaining natural teeth firmly in their correct, upright positions.
- Fixed and secure: Unlike a partial denture, a traditional bridge is permanently cemented in place. It will not slip or click when you eat or talk.
- Faster results: While implant restorations are excellent, they require months of healing. A bridge can typically be completed in just a few weeks over two visits to our Stittsville clinic.
The bridge placement process
Getting a dental bridge is a comfortable, straightforward process that usually requires two appointments:
- Preparation: During your first visit, we gently reshape the abutment teeth (the anchor teeth on either side of the gap) to make room for the crowns. We ensure you are completely numb and comfortable throughout this step.
- Impressions and Temporaries: We take precise digital or physical impressions of your teeth to send to our specialized dental laboratory. We will then place a temporary bridge to protect your prepared teeth and gums while your final bridge is being crafted.
- The Final Fitting: When you return to our clinic, we remove the temporary bridge and test the fit, bite alignment, and color of your new custom bridge. Once everything is perfect, we securely bond it into place.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Bridge vs. Implant: Which is better?
Both are excellent options for tooth replacement, but the right choice depends on your specific needs. A bridge requires altering the adjacent healthy teeth to act as anchors, whereas a dental implant is self-supporting and preserves your jawbone. However, a bridge is often a faster, more cost-effective solution and is ideal if the adjacent teeth already require crowns due to large fillings or decay. We will walk you through both options so you can make an informed decision.
How do I clean a dental bridge?
Because the bridge is a connected unit, you cannot use traditional string floss between the pontic and the abutment teeth. We will show you how to use special tools, such as floss threaders or water flossers, to clean underneath the artificial tooth and keep your gums healthy. Maintaining your regular hygiene recall appointments is also critical for the long-term success of your bridge.
How long does a dental bridge last?
With excellent daily oral hygiene and regular professional cleanings, a high-quality dental bridge typically lasts between 10 to 15 years, and often much longer. Protecting your bridge from excessive wear, such as wearing a nnightguard if you grind your teeth, will help extend its lifespan.
Missing a tooth and ready to complete your smile? Book an appointment with our Stittsville dental team to find out if a custom bridge is the right solution for you.
Check other dental care treatments
Maintenance
The quiet, preventive work that keeps dentistry simple — steady hygiene and protection over time.
Repair
Restoring form, comfort and strength when a tooth has been worn, decayed, fractured or lost.
Transformation
Cosmetic dentistry shaped around your face and proportions — natural first, always.
Ready to Meet Our Team?
Book your appointment today and experience the Greely Family Dental Care difference.
Asked and answered.
The things people ask on the phone before they book — written out properly, so you don't have to ask them.
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes — new patients of every age are welcome, and we're taking bookings now. Call (613) 836-1333 or email the office and we'll find you a time, usually within the same week.
What should I bring to my first visit?
- Your insurance details, if you have coverage
- A list of any medications and supplements you take
- Recent x-rays from a previous dentist, if you can get them sent over
- Anything you've been worrying about, written down — people forget once they're in the chair
If you don't have any of it, come anyway. We'll sort it out from here.
How long does a first appointment take?
Plan for about an hour. That covers a full exam, any x-rays we need, a periodontal check, an oral cancer screening, and time to actually talk through what we found. If a cleaning fits the same day, we'll do it — otherwise we'll book it close by.
Do you see children?
We do, and we're glad to book families together. A first visit for a young child is short and mostly about them getting comfortable in the room — counting teeth, looking at the tools, sitting in the chair. Nothing happens that we haven't explained to them first.
Do you accept my insurance?
We accept most traditional insurance plans — call the office and we'll confirm yours specifically. Our staff verifies your coverage, submits pre-estimates where it's useful to know the number in advance, and files your claims so you're reimbursed.One thing worth understanding: your policy is a contract between you and your insurer, not between us and them. We'll do everything we can to maximise what you get back, but the terms are theirs.
Will I know the cost before treatment starts?
Always. You get the options and the costs in writing, with your insurance portion estimated, before anything begins. If we find something unexpected mid-treatment, we stop and talk to you rather than carrying on and adding it to the bill.
How can I pay?
Cheque, cash, or major credit cards. You can also call the office to make a payment or to talk through your options if the timing is difficult — it's a conversation we have often and there's no awkwardness in it.
What if I have no insurance at all?
You're just as welcome. We'll give you the full cost up front and, where there's more than one clinically sound way to treat something, we'll tell you what each one costs and let you decide. Plenty of our patients pay out of pocket.