Flattened, shortened teeth
Worn chewing surfaces grind food less efficiently and leave less room for restorations. Before planning, the dentist considers causes such as clenching, grinding and acidic drinks or reflux.
Restorative Dentistry
Bite Reconstruction in Burlington
Cutting steak into tiny pieces, chewing only on the left, skipping apples altogether. When worn, damaged or missing teeth change how you eat, Burlington households can turn to us for a bite plan built around comfortable chewing.
Eating around the problemPlan a bite that works for eating
A dinner plate that tells the story
People rarely describe their bite in dental terms. They say they have stopped eating crusty bread, that one side does all the work, or that a molar aches after a chewy meal. Those small workarounds usually build up over years, and they are often the clearest description of how the teeth are functioning.
Bite reconstruction is a coordinated plan to help teeth share that work again. It might be suggested when wear, a cluster of broken or failing restorations, or missing teeth make a single repair hard to plan well. No standard set of procedures applies. The dentist looks at each tooth, how the teeth meet, the gums and bone beneath, and why damage happened, then selects treatments and an order.
Before your visit from Burlington, it helps to notice your own habits for a week. Which foods do you avoid? Where do you chew? Does anything feel sore afterwards? Those observations, along with any past recommendations, give the assessment a practical focus.
What changes how you chew
Three common reasons the bite stops cooperating
A whole-bite review is useful when the state of one tooth limits what can be done for others. Seeing the relationships first means repairs can support each other rather than compete.
Repairs that will not hold
If a crown keeps chipping or the same filling keeps breaking, the forces on that tooth may be part of the story. The remaining tooth, materials, bite and cleaning habits all need weighing.
Missing back teeth
Without some back teeth, the front and remaining molars take extra load, and spaces can shift. Tell us which areas you protect so a replacement can be planned around how you actually eat.
Sore jaw muscles or a clicking joint are not automatically a bite problem. These symptoms can have several causes and need a separate diagnosis before bite reconstruction is considered as an answer.
Why the whole bite matters
Teeth planned to work as a team
Coordinating the plan lets the dentist think about chewing surfaces, tooth height, gaps and the order of work all at once. A new restoration on one side can then be designed with the opposite teeth and future replacements in mind.
Larger plans involve trade-offs worth discussing openly: fees, appointments, ongoing care, tooth structure removed during preparation and uncertainty about how long work will last. Sometimes the best advice is a smaller repair or careful monitoring, and a good plan says so.
A sensible running order
Decay, infection or cracked teeth are addressed before goals for chewing comfort and appearance, so each recommendation comes with a reason for its place in line.
Trial before final
Models, photographs and, where appropriate, provisional restorations let you try out a proposed shape or bite before definitive restorations are made.
Long-term care in view
The plan should explain how to clean each restoration, how often it will be checked, and whether a guard is worth wearing to protect the work.
The planning path
First learn how you chew today
Reconstruction is planned with more care than a one-off filling. Ask how the diagnosis is made, which parts are optional, and how the plan changes if a tooth surprises everyone.
A thorough first look
We cover symptoms, eating habits, dental history, teeth, gums, existing restorations and relevant health issues. Imaging, photographs, scans or study models may record the bite in detail.
Goals, costs and order
We talk about what you want from chewing, comfort and appearance, and outline fees and sequence. Active decay or gum disease is usually treated first, sometimes with a specialist.
Build up in steps
Stabilizing weak teeth may come before provisional restorations and then final ones. Changes to how teeth contact or to their height are explained and reviewed before they are made permanent.
Settle in and review
Follow-up visits check chewing comfort, cleaning and the condition of restorations. Mention a tooth that keeps aching so the dentist can investigate and decide on any adjustment.
Chewing with new restorations
Care that matches your new bite
What you need to do depends on the restorations and natural teeth involved. Ask for instructions that cover each part of the mouth and the signs that should prompt a call.
Clean where food collects
Bridges trap food differently from single crowns, and implant crowns need their own care. Have the hygienist show you which floss, small brushes or threaders suit your restorations.
Ease back into harder foods
Notice whether any tooth hits early or stays tender. If one does, let us know rather than chewing through it, and never try to smooth or reshape a restoration yourself.
Protect the work at night
If a guard is recommended for clenching or grinding, wear and store it as instructed. Bring it to reviews so the team can check its fit and wear along with your teeth.
Burlington bite questions(905) 876-4488
What people ask about eating and their bite
You should be able to follow a treatment plan without dental training. Ask about the starting problem, the proposed changes, the alternatives and who handles follow-up.
Will my bite feel strange once new restorations are placed?
There can be a short period of getting used to new shapes or contacts. Mild awareness often settles, but a tooth that hits first or stays sore should be checked. Do not wait for it to wear in on its own.
Can a reconstruction help me chew on both sides again?
That is often one of the goals, but outcomes vary with the condition of the teeth, gums and bone. The dentist can explain what is realistic for your mouth and which steps aim to restore balanced chewing.
Do missing teeth have to be replaced with implants?
Not always. Bridges, removable partial dentures and implants each have uses, and sometimes a gap can be left. The choice depends on neighbouring teeth, bone, health, cost and your preferences.
What makes teeth wear down in the first place?
Common contributors include grinding and clenching, acidic foods and drinks, reflux and an uneven bite. Often more than one factor is involved. Identifying them matters because they can keep affecting new restorations.
Is some sensitivity normal after a treatment stage?
Teeth can be temporarily sensitive after preparation or new restorations. Sensitivity that worsens, lingers or comes with throbbing or swelling should be reported so the tooth can be examined.
Can the stages be spread out to suit my budget?
Often they can, though the safe sequence depends on which teeth are involved. Discuss timing early, ask what temporary restorations would be needed, and find out whether waiting on a stage changes its risks.
From Burlington to Bronte Street
Tell us what you avoid eating
Book a consultation at our Bronte Street practice to discuss worn, damaged or missing teeth. Bring previous plans and a list of the foods and habits you have changed, and we will focus on an assessment and sequence that suits your mouth.
For a tooth that has just broken, strong pain or swelling, please call first so the team can talk through how urgent it is.
Visit Milton Dental ClinicUnit 1, 342 Bronte St. S, Milton, ON L9T 5B7Get directions
Clinic hours
- Monday–Thursday
- 11am–7pm
- Friday–Sunday
- By appointment only
Areas we serve
- Milton
- Oakville
- Mississauga
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