Dental Bridges in Seattle, WA – Thomas McKenny, DDS & Associates

A dental bridge is a non-removable appliance that fills the gap in missing teeth. It comprises an artificial tooth (pontic) attached to crowns on either side of the gap (abutments). A bridge restores normal chewing and speech by filling this gap while preventing adjacent teeth from shifting. At Thomas McKenny, DDS & Associates, we create custom dental bridges with advanced materials and methods for a durable restoration that integrates with your smile.

---

Bridge Procedure and Candidacy

Dr. McKenny will evaluate your oral health to determine a suitable bridge. Ideal candidates are missing one or a few teeth with healthy adjacent teeth to support the bridge. The typical bridge procedure involves:

1. Consultation & Planning: Digital X-rays and examination of your teeth and gums to create a customized treatment plan.
2. Tooth Preparation: For comfort, abutment teeth are reshaped for crowns with computer-controlled anesthesia ("The Wand®"). Trimming, recontouring, or even removing the gum tissue is carried out painlessly with a soft tissue laser.
3. Digital Impressions: Our digital scanner captures a 3D model of your teeth in minutes, offering more accuracy and comfort than traditional molds.
4. Bridge Fabrication: We design a custom bridge using the digital model and CAD/CAM software. An in-office milling machine can often fabricate high-quality porcelain restorations in one visit.
5. Final Placement: The new bridge is adjusted for fit and bite, then permanently bonded in place, ensuring natural appearance and comfort.

Each step uses advanced technology for precision and comfort, and our team will guide you in caring for your bridge for long-lasting results.

---

Bridges vs Implants vs Dentures

When replacing missing teeth, bridges are a good option among several:

• Dental Bridges: Fixed restorations supported by natural teeth do not prevent jawbone loss or implants. Ideal for patients missing a few teeth with strong adjacent teeth.

Advantages: They resemble real teeth, are placed quickly, and preserve your smile without the bulk of dentures.

Limitations: It requires the preparation of healthy teeth, and abutments bear extra weight, which can weaken over time.

• Dental Implants: Man-made roots are implanted in the jawbone, which are made of titanium. Potential patients with healthy bone and gum structures want implants to replace missing teeth. At times, a bridge that is used to fill the gaps of several lost teeth may be supported by two implants.

Advantages: It saves bone without disturbing neighbors, has excellent function for chewing, and is typically the longest-lasting.

Limitations: Require adequate bone and health, involve surgery, and often take months to heal, costing more.

• Full or Partial Dentures: Full dentures replace all teeth, while partial dentures use a metal framework for some teeth. They help patients who are missing most teeth or cannot get implants. These dentures keep nearby teeth from shifting, but bridges are more stable for smaller gaps.

Advantages: They affordably replace multiple teeth, are non-invasive, and modern designs can be secured with implants for added stability.

Limitations: Traditional dentures may feel bulky, slip, and require adhesives. They may complicate eating certain foods and require more maintenance.

Our team will review these options with you. For many patients, bridges balance function and appearance and are cost-effective compared to implants or dentures.

---

Advanced Technology & Comfort

At Thomas McKenny, DDS & Associates, we invest in cutting-edge dental technology for safer, more efficient, and comfortable bridge treatments. For example:

• Digital 3D Scanning: Our digital intraoral scanner captures detailed impressions quickly, eliminating messy putty and providing an accurate model for your bridge.
• CAD/CAM Milling: We mill your restoration on-site. After scanning, a computer designs the bridge, and a milling machine produces it from high-strength porcelain in minutes.
• Intraoral Camera & Digital X-rays: Our high-resolution cameras and digital X-rays diagnose issues missed by mirrors. Digital X-rays use ~90% less radiation than film, ensuring clear images safely. These tools help identify problems early and plan precise treatment.

• Soft-Tissue Laser: We use a soft-tissue laser for gum treatment (such as sculpting the gums for a bridge) that allows shorter procedure times, less bleeding, and faster healing than traditional surgery.

• The Wand® Anesthesia System: With this tool, the drug is administered at an optimal flow rate so that the injection is nearly painless. It numbs only the tooth in question without affecting your lips and tongue.

---

Meet Dr. Thomas McKenny

Dr. Thomas F. McKenny, DDS (UW'95), leads our practice. He had served as a Navy dental officer after graduating from the University of Washington School of Dentistry and before resuming private practice. Dr. McKenny is well known for his caring, patient-based approach and is also Invisalign® Certified with up-to-the-minute continuing education and seminars. He is honored to be a part of the ADA, WSDA, and the Seattle/King Co. Dental Society.

---

Insurance and Payment Options

We work with dental insurance to maximize benefits. Our staff assists with claims and coverage questions. Before treatment, we review costs and payment options to avoid surprises.

We accept payment methods like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, personal checks, CareCredit, Health Savings/Flex Spending accounts, and Apple Pay.