CDCP and crowns, bridges, dentures

Reviewed by Dr. Samar Fadavi, DDS

Short answer: Under the Canadian Dental Care Plan, crowns and dentures are covered services, and many of them need preauthorization, which means the plan must approve them before treatment starts. Fixed bridges and dental implants are listed as not covered. Co-payments based on family income may apply. Ask the clinic for a written plan and estimate before you begin.

Why this guide

Replacing or rebuilding teeth is one of the main reasons people in Scarborough and East Toronto look into the Canadian Dental Care Plan, often called CDCP. Crowns, bridges and dentures are larger treatments than a cleaning, and the plan treats each of them differently. This guide explains, in plain words, how each one is handled, what preauthorization means, and how to plan your treatment so there are no surprises.

This is general information. The plan’s rules are set by the federal government and are updated from time to time, so always check the official Government of Canada CDCP coverage page and your member information. For how the plan works at our clinic, see our CDCP dentist page.

The short version: crowns, bridges and dentures under the plan

• Crowns: covered as a major service, with preauthorization required for many crown procedures.
• Dentures: complete and partial dentures are covered as removable prosthodontic services. Some types, including immediate complete dentures, overdentures and partial dentures, need preauthorization. Replacement limits apply.
• Denture relines and repairs: covered, with frequency limits.
• Fixed bridges: listed among services the plan does not cover.
• Dental implants: implants and implant-related procedures are not covered.

Because the plan can update its benefits, our team checks the current rules for your situation before treatment.

What preauthorization means

Preauthorization is a request the dental office sends to the plan before starting certain treatments. It describes the tooth, the condition, the treatment planned and supporting information such as x-rays or photos. The plan reviews it and replies whether the service is approved.

For services that require preauthorization, approval must be received before treatment starts. If treatment begins without approval, the plan may not pay for it. That is why your dentist may examine you, take x-rays and then book the treatment for a later visit, once the reply arrives.

Preauthorization takes some time. Plan ahead if you have an event coming up or are hoping to finish treatment before a certain date.

Crowns under the plan

A crown is a cap that covers a tooth that is badly broken down, cracked, heavily filled or weakened after a root canal. Under the plan, crowns are included in major services, and many crown procedures require preauthorization.

The plan focuses on treatment that addresses disease and restores function. A crown recommended to repair a broken or weakened tooth is in a very different position from a crown wanted only to change how a tooth looks. Cosmetic treatments are not covered.

Your dentist will explain why a crown is recommended rather than a large filling, and what material is planned. Our guide what affects the cost of a crown? explains the factors that shape a crown treatment plan, and our crowns and bridges page describes the treatment at our clinic.

If a crown is not approved, ask your dentist about alternatives, such as a large filling or an onlay, and what each would mean for the tooth over time.

Bridges under the plan

A fixed bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by attaching false teeth to crowns on the neighbouring teeth. Fixed bridges are listed among the services the plan does not cover.

That does not mean a missing tooth cannot be replaced. Under the plan, a removable partial denture is the usual covered way to replace missing teeth when natural teeth remain. If you would prefer a fixed bridge, our team can explain what it involves and give you a written estimate for the parts that are not covered, so you can decide.

Our guide implants, bridges or dentures? compares the three options in detail.

Dentures under the plan

Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth. They are covered under the plan as removable prosthodontic services.

• Complete dentures replace all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw.
• Immediate complete dentures are placed on the same day the remaining teeth are removed. They need preauthorization.
• Partial dentures replace some missing teeth and clip onto the remaining natural teeth. They need preauthorization.
• Overdentures sit over a few remaining tooth roots. They need preauthorization.
• Relines reshape the fitting surface of a denture as the gums change. Covered, with frequency limits.
• Repairs fix cracks, broken teeth or broken clasps on a denture. Covered.

Replacement limits apply, which means the plan covers a new denture only after a set period, unless there is a qualifying reason. Ask our team to check when you are eligible for a replacement.

Our guide dentures: types, fit and daily care explains how dentures are made and how to look after them.

Implants under the plan

Dental implants and implant-related procedures are not covered by the plan. If you are interested in implants, your dentist can explain whether you are a candidate and what is involved. Our guide who is a good candidate for implants? covers the basics, and our dental implants page explains treatment at our clinic.

Co-payments and extra charges

• Co-payment. Depending on your adjusted family net income, you may share part of the plan’s set amount for each service. Your co-payment level is shown in your member information.
• Lab work and charges above the plan’s set amounts. Crowns and dentures involve a dental laboratory. If a clinic’s fee or the lab component is higher than the plan’s set amount, or a service is not covered, the difference may be charged to you. The Government of Canada advises members to ask their provider about any costs the plan will not cover before treatment.

At our clinic, we give you a written treatment plan and estimate for crowns and dentures before we start, showing what the plan is expected to cover and anything you would owe.

Planning crown or denture treatment, step by step

1. Exam and x-rays. Your dentist checks the teeth, gums and bone, and talks with you about what you want.
2. Treat urgent problems first. Infections, broken teeth or gum disease may need treatment before a crown or denture.
3. Treatment plan and options. Your dentist explains the options, including covered and non-covered choices.
4. Preauthorization. Where required, the clinic sends the request to the plan with x-rays and notes.
5. Written estimate. Once the reply arrives, you receive a written estimate showing what is covered.
6. Treatment. Crowns usually take two visits, or one when made in the office. Dentures usually take several visits for impressions, bite records, try-in and delivery.
7. Follow-up. Adjustments are normal, especially for new dentures, which often need a few small adjustments in the first weeks.

Tips for seniors and caregivers

Many of the people who need crowns and dentures are older adults, and many come with a family member. A few tips help the process go smoothly:

• Bring a list of medicines and health conditions, and the name of the family doctor.
• Bring the current denture or partial, even if it is broken or loose.
• Let us know about mobility needs when booking. Our clinic is wheelchair accessible, with step-free access and parking behind the building.
• Ask for written plans and estimates, so family members can review them together.
• Book follow-up adjustments rather than waiting with sore spots.

Our seniors’ dental care page explains how we care for older patients.

What to avoid

• Starting a crown or denture that needs preauthorization before the approval arrives.
• Assuming a bridge or implant will be covered; they are listed as not covered.
• Living with a broken or loose denture. Relines and repairs are covered, and a poor fit can cause sore spots and make eating harder.
• Gluing a broken denture at home with household glue. It can be harmful and makes professional repair harder.
• Skipping regular check-ups after getting a crown or denture.

The first weeks with a new denture

Getting used to a new denture takes time, even when the fit is good. Knowing what is normal helps you stick with it.

• Extra saliva is common for the first days, as the mouth reacts to something new.
• Sore spots often appear where the denture presses. Do not file the denture yourself. Book an adjustment; small changes make a big difference.
• Speech may sound different at first. Reading aloud for a few minutes a day helps your tongue and lips adapt.
• Eating takes practice. Start with soft foods cut into small pieces, chew on both sides at the same time and add firmer foods gradually.
• Lower dentures usually feel less stable than upper ones, because the tongue and cheeks move them. This improves as the muscles learn to hold the denture.

Remove your denture at night unless your dentist advises otherwise, and keep it in water or a soaking solution so it does not dry out. Brush the denture daily with a soft denture brush, and brush your gums, tongue and any natural teeth too.

Looking after a new crown

A crown protects the tooth underneath, but the tooth can still decay at the edge where the crown meets the tooth. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean carefully around the crown with floss or an interdental brush, and keep regular check-ups. If you grind your teeth, ask about a night guard to protect the crown and the natural teeth around it.

Call the clinic if the crown feels loose, if your bite feels high after the freezing wears off, or if you notice pain when chewing. If a crown comes off, keep it, avoid chewing on that side and book a visit. Do not glue it back yourself.

If coverage is not approved

Sometimes a preauthorization request is not approved, or is approved for a different treatment than the one first planned. If this happens, our team will explain the reply and your options. Your dentist may suggest another covered treatment, such as a partial denture instead of a bridge or a different type of restoration. You can also choose to go ahead with the original plan and pay for the part that is not covered, after receiving a written estimate. The choice is always yours.

When to see a dentist

Book a visit if a tooth is broken, heavily filled or painful when chewing, if you are missing teeth and find eating difficult, or if your denture is loose, cracked or causing sore spots. Call the same day for a broken tooth with pain or swelling; see our emergency dentist page. For how CDCP treatment planning works at our clinic, see our CDCP dentist page, and for cleaning visits under the plan, our guide what CDCP covers for cleanings.

Questions about CDCP and crowns, bridges and dentures

Does the Canadian Dental Care Plan cover crowns?

Crowns are covered as a major service, and many crown procedures need preauthorization before treatment.

Does the plan cover bridges?

Fixed bridges are listed among services the plan does not cover. A removable partial denture is the usual covered option for replacing missing teeth.

Are dentures covered?

Yes. Complete and partial dentures are covered, with preauthorization for some types and replacement limits.

How long does preauthorization take?

It varies. Our team will tell you when the request is sent and contact you when the reply arrives.

Can I get an implant under the plan?

No. Implants and implant-related procedures are not covered.

My denture is old and loose. Can it be relined?

Often, yes. Relines are covered with frequency limits. If the denture is very worn, your dentist may suggest a new one, subject to the plan’s replacement rules.

Will I owe anything for a crown or denture?

You may have a co-payment based on family income, and charges above the plan’s set amounts may apply. We give you a written estimate before treatment.

Can a broken denture be repaired the same day?

Simple repairs, such as a crack or a tooth that has come off, can often be done quickly, sometimes within a day, depending on the lab. Call us early in the day and bring all the pieces. Avoid household glue, which can damage the denture.

Can I bring a family member to help with the plan details?

Yes. Many patients bring a son, daughter or caregiver. With your permission, we are happy to explain the treatment plan and estimate to them too.