

Dental Bridges

Dental Bridges Montreal

You may be missing 1 tooth or perhaps more. Having a space in your smile is not a good idea for many reasons. To solve this problem, you have 2 options; either dental implants or dental bridges. While not as long lasting as dental implants, bridges provide a good tooth replacement option for our patients. Lenny Slepchik, DDS offers dental bridges at his Downtown Montreal practice.

What is a Dental Bridge?

Dental Bridges Montreal

A dental bridge is exactly that — it simply bridges the gap created by a missing tooth or several missing teeth. Bridges are single-piece prosthetics that consist of two crowns on top of teeth on each side of the gap; a tooth or teeth are fabricated to replace the missing teeth. The crowns serve as anchors. They are placed on the healthy teeth on each side of the gap, called the abutment teeth. A false tooth (pontic) is used to replace the missing tooth. The entire bridge is made in porcelain in our dental lab according to the specific needs of our patient.

Reasons To Choose A Dental Bridge

Many people choose not to replace a missing tooth, especially if the missing tooth is a molar. This is a bad idea for many reasons. Your teeth stay in place due to the pressure placed upon them by the adjacent teeth on each side. When a tooth or teeth are gone, so is that pressure, so the teeth tend to move over into the gap. This not only affects your appearance, but mainly creates alignment and bite problems.

Also, when you bite and chew, a tremendous amount of bite force energy is created. This energy transfers through the teeth down into the jawbone beneath them. It is this energy that signals the jawbone to continually shed old cells and produce new bone mass, the tenets of a healthy jawbone. When a tooth is missing, the jawbone beneath the gap immediately begins to erode.


Why Dr. Slepchik may suggest a bridge for your dental treatment:



  • To prevent tooth movement
  • To restore chewing and biting in the area
  • To distribute your bite across various teeth
  • To allow you to speak clearly
  • To maintain jawbone health
  • To complete your smile

What Our Patients Say

“The most wonderful and experienced dentist you will ever meet. Always there for you, but most of all he is a wonderful human being. His staff are all equally amazing. Thanks for your smiles and warm welcome. This team is really 5 stars… Amazing.” – Sylvie G.

Click here to view our patient testimonials

Dental Bridge Process With Dr. Slepchik

Dental Bridges Montreal

Placing a bridge with Dr. Slepchik requires two appointments. During the first appointment, we prepare the abutment teeth for their crowns and take measurements and photos for your bridge. To prepare the teeth, Dr. Slepchik shaves off a portion of the healthy teeth on all sides and the top. This makes room for the crowns to sit atop the teeth, covering them all the way down to the gum line. Next, we take precise impressions, along with photos, of your teeth with Itero, our digital impression system. These are sent to the dental lab for the creation of your custom bridge. This process takes two weeks, so in the meantime, you wear a temporary bridge on your prepared teeth. Your smile looks natural. No one would know it is not your real teeth unless you tell them.

When your new bridge is delivered to our downtown Montreal office, you return for your second appointment. Dr. Slepchik checks that the bridge fits properly and the colour matches your adjacent teeth. He’ll adjust the fit according to your feedback. In some cases, he may place the bridge with temporary cement to allow you to see how it feels for a few days of normal use. Once you’re satisfied with the fit, the bridge is permanently cemented onto your teeth. You can use your bridge immediately.

Types Of Tooth Bridge Options We Offer

There are two types of bridges that Dr. Slepchik uses in our dental office:

Traditional bridge — This is the tooth bridge described at the top of the page, consisting of two crowned abutment teeth with a false tooth or teeth between them. These are the most common bridges. Dr. Slepchik uses all porcelain for the crowns and the false tooth.

Cantilever bridge — In cases where the missing tooth or teeth have adjacent teeth on only one side of the gap, a cantilever bridge is used. More like a balcony than a bridge, cantilever bridges crown two teeth on the one side to use as anchors.

How Long Will A Dental Bridge Last?

The lifespan of your dental bridge is dependent upon the health of the abutment teeth and your jawbone. If you are diligent about your hygiene and your twice-yearly professional exams and cleanings with Dr. Slepchik, your bridge should last from 10-15 years. This can vary, however.

Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implantsdental bridges | Montreal CA

Dr. Lenny Slepchik believes dental implants are the superior option for replacing a missing tooth. An implant is anchored by a titanium screw that is placed in the jawbone and then becomes a part of the jaw as the bone grows around it. A post is attached to the “implant” and an artificial tooth is attached to the post. Because implants are anchored into the jawbone, they function exactly like a natural tooth. They are incredibly strong, don’t require any changes in what you eat, and they often will last the remainder of the patient’s life.

Dental bridges are less expensive initially, particularly for replacing more than one missing tooth. However, bridges only last around a decade, so you will need to replace your bridge at least once or twice, depending on your age. This can make the cost closer to that of an implant. Bridge wearers also need to be cognizant of what they eat, as overly chewy, sticky foods can sometimes dislodge or damage the bridge. Plus, habits such as chewing ice can damage your bridge.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have missing teeth, dental bridges may be a good option for you. Contact Lenny Slepchik, DDS at 514-875-7971 to schedule a consultation. Our practice serves Montreal and surrounding areas.