A cracked, chipped, or heavily filled tooth keeps weakening once the damage starts, and left uncrowned it can fracture further or need to be pulled. At Roman Dental in West Houston, we place custom all-ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and full metal crowns that protect the tooth and restore full chewing function, often completed in as few as two visits.
Missing a tooth changes how you eat and speak within weeks, and the open space lets neighboring teeth drift out of position the longer it’s left untreated. At Roman Dental, we close that gap with a custom dental bridge, anchored to the healthy teeth on either side of the space to restore your bite and your smile.Â
A well-maintained bridge typically lasts five to 15 years, sometimes longer, so the fit and craftsmanship matter as much as the material.
Led by Dr. Roman Kotlarek, a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry, our team designs every bridge to match the color, shape, and size of the teeth next to it, so the result holds up under normal biting and chewing, not just at the day-of fitting.
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one to three missing teeth in a row, using artificial teeth called pontics that are held in place by crowns bonded to the natural teeth or implants on either side of the gap.Â
At Roman Dental in West Houston, we work with four types of bridges, depending on your gap and the health of the surrounding teeth:
We’ll match the type to your oral health and the size of the gap at your consultation, so the finished bridge functions like the teeth it’s replacing, not just fills the space.
Choosing a dental bridge offers several important benefits for your smile, health, and confidence. Some of the key advantages include:
Dr. Roman Kotlarek has practiced restorative dentistry in West Houston for over 25 years, since Roman Dental opened in 1999. A graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, he holds a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD), is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (FICOI), and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Aesthetics, credentials that reflect both his technical training and his focus on natural-looking results.Â
With extensive experience working alongside master ceramists, Dr. Kotlarek designs every bridge to blend into the smile rather than stand out as a repair. That combination, durability built for everyday biting and chewing plus a finish matched to the surrounding teeth, is what patients get when they choose Roman Dental for a dental bridge in West Houston.
Getting a dental bridge at Roman Dental in West Houston typically takes two office visits over two to four weeks, the time it takes the dental lab to fabricate your custom bridge. Here’s how the process breaks down:
Once your bridge is in place, keeping up with brushing, flossing, and regular checkups is what determines how long it lasts.
You’re likely a good candidate for a dental bridge if you’re missing one to three teeth in a row and have healthy natural teeth or dental implants on both sides of the gap to anchor it. If the gap is larger or your supporting teeth aren’t strong enough, an implant-supported bridge or another restorative option may be a better fit, which is exactly what your consultation is for.
At your consultation, we complete a full oral evaluation and walk you through your restorative options in West Houston, so you know why a dental bridge is or isn’t the right choice before you commit to treatment.
A dental bridge is a fixed tooth replacement that fills the gap left by a missing tooth, and it stays in place because it’s anchored to crowns cemented onto the natural teeth on either side of the gap. Unlike a removable partial denture, a bridge doesn’t come out.
Getting a dental bridge doesn’t hurt during the procedure itself, since the area is numbed with local anesthesia before any preparation begins. Some patients feel mild gum soreness around the prepared teeth for a day or two afterward, which is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.
The cost of a dental bridge in West Houston depends on the type of bridge, how many teeth you’re replacing, and your insurance coverage. Nationally, a traditional bridge averages just over $5,000, typically ranging from $4,100 to $9,650, and we review your specific coverage and out-of-pocket cost at your consultation.
Cleaning under a dental bridge requires a floss threader, a water flosser, or an interdental brush to reach the space between the pontic and the gumline, since regular floss can’t get underneath on its own. We walk every bridge patient through the technique before they leave our West Houston office.
A dental bridge typically can’t be completed in one day: most require two appointments spaced a few weeks apart, since the permanent bridge is custom-fabricated in a dental lab after impressions are taken at the first visit.
If a missing tooth isn’t replaced, the teeth around the gap gradually shift toward the open space, changing your bite alignment over time, and the jawbone in that area begins to shrink from the lack of a tooth root to stimulate it.
Dental bridges are often covered in part in Texas: many dental insurance plans cover a portion under major restorative benefits, though the exact percentage, waiting periods, and annual maximums vary by plan. We verify your benefits before your appointment so you know what to expect.
Roman Dental has restored smiles in West Houston for over 25 years with custom dental bridges built to match your bite and your budget.
Monday - Thursday: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 2pm
Monday - Thursday: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 2pm
14535 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079
Monday - Thursday: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 2pm
