Bridges in Woodhaven
Losing a tooth changes more than your smile. Chewing shifts to one side, nearby teeth begin to drift into the open space, and a gap that once felt minor starts affecting how you speak and how your bite comes together. A dental bridge closes that gap with a fixed restoration that stays put — no removing it at night, no adhesive. At our office on Allen Rd. in Woodhaven, we plan, build and place bridges for patients of all ages, with much of the lab work happening right here in our building.
A bridge is a set of connected crowns and replacement teeth made as one solid piece. The replacement tooth — the pontic — fills the empty space, while the crowns on either side anchor to your natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Once the bridge is cemented, it functions as a single unit you brush, floss around and chew with every day.
Bridges work well for a number of different situations. Some of our Woodhaven patients lose a tooth to a fracture or deep decay and want it replaced without surgery. Others already have large fillings or weakened teeth on both sides of a gap, so crowning those teeth as part of a bridge solves two problems at once. We also place bridges supported by dental implants when the neighboring teeth are healthy and we'd rather not reshape them. During a complimentary consultation, we examine the area, review X-rays and talk through whether a bridge, an implant, or a partial denture makes the most sense for your mouth and your budget.
Treatment usually begins with a thorough exam and imaging so we can confirm the supporting teeth and the bone and gum tissue around them are healthy enough to carry a bridge. If there's active decay or gum disease, we address that first — scaling and root planing, a filling, or root canal therapy if a nerve is involved. Occasionally a tooth needs to come out before we can restore the area, and because we offer oral surgery and bone grafting in-house, you aren't sent elsewhere to get started.
At the preparation appointment, we numb the area and reshape the abutment teeth so the crowns fit over them precisely. We take impressions or a digital scan, check your bite, and place a temporary bridge so you can eat and smile normally while the final restoration is made. Our on-site dental lab builds and adjusts crowns, dentures and appliances here, which shortens the back-and-forth that often slows lab work down. When the finished bridge is ready, we try it in, verify the fit, color and bite, make any adjustments needed, and cement it in place.
Why Woodhaven Patients Choose a Bridge
- Restores comfortable chewing so you can eat on both sides again instead of favoring one
- Keeps neighboring teeth from drifting into the open space and throwing off your bite
- Stays in place permanently — nothing to take out, soak or re-seat
- Looks natural, with shade matching so the bridge blends with the teeth around it
- Supports clearer speech, especially when the missing tooth is toward the front
- No surgery required for a traditional bridge supported by your own teeth
Comfort matters throughout all of this. Our comfort menu includes blankets, warm towels, neck pillows, headphones, Netflix and refreshments, and nitrous oxide or IV sedation is available for patients who feel uneasy in the chair. Se habla español.
Caring for Your Bridge Afterward
A bridge is cleaned a little differently than natural teeth. Because the pontic sits above the gum rather than in it, you'll use a floss threader, super floss or a water flosser to clean underneath the span — that's the single most important habit for keeping the supporting teeth and gums healthy long-term. Regular brushing, plus the cleanings and exams you already come in for, protects the abutment teeth from decay at the crown margins.
Keep up with your hygiene visits so we can check the bridge's fit and the health of the tissue around it. If you grind or clench at night, we can make a night guard in our lab to reduce stress on the restoration. And if anything feels loose, rough or sore, call us — we offer same-day emergency appointments and can often adjust or repair on site.
Paying for Treatment
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and provide a complimentary insurance benefits check so you know what's covered before we begin. We also welcome self-pay patients and accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
If you don't have insurance, our in-house membership plan is $199 a year for adults and $99 for patients 17 and under, with no annual maximum, no deductible, no waiting period and no pre-authorizations. It covers exams, X-rays, two cleanings and two fluoride treatments at 100%, plus 20% to 50% off other treatment. CareCredit financing is available as well, and our team is glad to walk you through the options before you commit to anything.