Bridges in Westlake Village
If you're missing a tooth, or about to lose one, you're probably weighing how to fill that gap before it affects how you chew, speak, or smile. A dental bridge is one of the most established ways to do that, and our team at 805 Dentistry places bridges for patients from Westlake Village and nearby communities. Our office is in Thousand Oaks, so Westlake Village families can handle tooth replacement close to home, alongside the rest of their dental care.
A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by "bridging" the space with an artificial tooth, called a pontic. In a traditional bridge, the pontic is held in place by crowns placed on the healthy teeth on either side of the gap. The whole unit is fixed in your mouth, so you don't take it out at night the way you would with a removable partial denture.
When the neighboring teeth aren't the right anchors, we can also offer implant-supported bridges. These are anchored to dental implants instead of natural teeth. Because a board-certified periodontist on our staff places dental implants, Westlake Village patients can explore both options without being sent to a separate office.
Patients come to us for bridges in a range of situations. Some have lost a tooth to decay or injury. Others have a tooth that can't be saved and needs an extraction, and they want a plan for the space before it's removed. Still others have worn an older bridge for years and need it replaced.
In each case, we start with an exam and imaging. We offer 2D and 3D imaging, including CBCT scans, and a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist is on our staff. That gives us a clear picture of the supporting teeth, gums, and bone before we recommend anything.
Why choose a bridge instead of leaving the gap?
Filling the gap helps restore what that missing tooth used to do. A bridge can help with:
- Chewing more comfortably on that side of your mouth
- Speaking more naturally when a gap affects certain sounds
- Restoring the appearance of a complete smile
- Keeping you from relying on a removable appliance
A bridge is also one of several tooth replacement options we provide. Depending on your situation, we may also discuss single implants, partial dentures, or implant-supported dentures. Our goal is to explain the tradeoffs clearly so you can choose what fits your mouth, your schedule, and your budget.
Am I a good candidate for a dental bridge?
You may be a good candidate if you're missing one or more teeth in a row and the surrounding teeth and gums are healthy enough to support the restoration. For a traditional bridge, the anchor teeth need to be strong enough to hold crowns. For an implant-supported bridge, there needs to be enough bone to support the implants.
If gum disease is present, we treat it first, because healthy gums matter for any restoration. Our office provides scaling and root planing, gum disease treatment, and periodontal maintenance. If bone has been lost, bone grafting may be part of the plan for implant-supported options. Children and adults of all ages are seen at our practice, and Dr. Dar Radfar, DDS, and our team will review your specific case with you.
What happens during the bridge process?
For a traditional bridge, we prepare the anchor teeth, take impressions, and design the bridge to match your bite and the shade of your natural teeth. Our office has an on-site dental lab, which keeps much of the work under one roof and makes coordination simpler.
If you feel anxious about dental work, tell us. We offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia, and a board-certified dental anesthesiologist is on our staff. Many Westlake Village patients appreciate knowing those options are available before they commit to treatment.
How do I care for my bridge, and how can I pay for it?
Caring for a bridge means keeping the anchor teeth and the area under the pontic clean. That includes daily brushing, cleaning beneath the bridge, and coming in for regular dental cleanings and exams so we can check the supporting teeth and gums. If you grind your teeth, we may suggest a night guard to help protect your restoration. If you have implants, we also provide implant maintenance.
On cost, we accept all major PPO insurance plans and welcome self-pay patients. Financing is available for those who want to spread out the cost of treatment. When you call us from Westlake Village, our team can walk you through your coverage and options before you schedule. Then we'll take the next step together.