Dental Bridge in Temecula, CA

Old Town Temecula is the historic center of Temecula, CA, preserving the town’s rich history. Back in the 1800s, when a railroad was first placed in the area, Old Town was named “New Town Temecula.” Now, the city center remains a historic reminder of the past, offering an incredible look at how far we’ve come. One such reminder is Old Town’s Main Street Bridge, which looks straight out of a classic Western film. This bridge was originally made entirely of wood but has since been rebuilt with metal, while keeping its charming, old-fashioned appearance. The Main Street bridge played a key role in connecting communities, allowing people to cross Murrietta Creek for trade and travel. Similar to this structural bridge, a dental bridge can “bridge” gaps in your smile, connecting your teeth on either side to improve function!

At Healthy Habit Dental Care in Temecula, CA, we understand the importance of history and how it influences our society today. By offering both traditional dental bridges and implant-supported bridges, we provide numerous options to restore your smile!

What Is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is an oral appliance that helps “bridge” the gaps in your smile. When missing one or more teeth, it’s essential to replace them as soon as possible to keep your smile functional. Fortunately, a dental bridge helps connect your remaining teeth, using a row of artificial teeth called “pontics.” These pontics are bonded together to form one unit of teeth. Depending on what type of restoration you require, these bridges may have crowns on either side for support or rely on dental implants to stay in place.

Different Types of Dental Bridges in Temecula, CA

Everyone’s smile is different, and everyone’s needs are unique. During your free consultation, we will assess your smile to determine which dental bridge is right for you!

  • Dental Bridge in Temecula, CA | Book Your Free Consultation TodayTraditional bridges: Traditional bridges replace one or more missing teeth using dental crowns for support. These tooth-shaped caps cover the remaining teeth on either side of the gap to act as a foundation for your artificial teeth. However, this process involves altering your natural teeth to fit dental crowns, which is irreversible.
  • Cantilever bridges: For patients with only one healthy tooth for support, we can use a cantilever bridge. Similar to a balcony that connects to one side of a building, a Cantilever bridge uses a single crown to support a pontic, replacing a single tooth.
  • Maryland bridges: For patients who don’t want to alter their healthy teeth with crowns, we offer Maryland bridges. These structures are a more conservative option, as they use small “wings” that attach to the back of your neighboring teeth instead of crowns. But, it’s important to note that Maryland bridges are best for front teeth, as they can’t withstand the pressure molars experience.
  • Implant bridges: The most secure dental bridge option is an implant bridge, which uses dental implants for support. These titanium screws secure in your jawbone over time through osseointegration, a natural process that occurs thanks to the biocompatible nature of titanium. Once your bone forms a strong connection with the dental implant, we use it to anchor a dental bridge in place, replacing multiple missing teeth in a row.

Like the modern Main Street Bridge in Temecula, dental bridges have evolved to create a more effective solution to tooth loss. Implant bridges are now the best and most recommended option for restoring your smile.

Combining Dental Implants With a Dental Bridge

At Healthy Habit Dental Care, we’ll walk you through your options to find the best solution. For dental implant-supported restorations, we offer two types of implants.

Conventional dental implants are large in diameter, requiring a significant amount of bone structure for support. Unfortunately, many patients with missing teeth lack this necessary bone, as missing teeth directly influence jawbone loss. Natural teeth have important tooth roots that provide essential stimulation to keep your jaw healthy. Without stimulation, your jawbone will lose mass and volume over time, reducing your eligibility for implant treatment.

Additionally, conventional implants use a complex placement procedure that involves making an incision in your gums to access your jawbone. Then we use a series of drills to create a large hole in your bone, big enough to accommodate the implant and its multiple components. This surgical process can be difficult for older patients or those with autoimmune diseases, as it complicates their healing process.

However, Healthy Habit Dental Care also offers mini dental implants! These small titanium posts are half the size of a conventional implant, but just as strong. Thanks to their tiny diameter, mini implants need less bone support, allowing patients with minimal jawbone structure to restore their smiles.

Dental Bridge in Temecula, CA | Restore Your Smile With Mini Implants

And, thanks to their sleek design, these implants use a minimally invasive placement process that doesn’t require incisions. Instead, we simply drill a small pilot hole in your jawbone and secure the one-piece implant in place. Once in your bone, mini implants immediately begin stabilizing, allowing us to secure a temporary dental bridge that very same day. After a few weeks of healing, your implants will be secure enough to support a final restoration!

Overall, mini dental implants save patients like you time and money, thanks to their unique structure and placement process.

Reconnect Your Smile With a Dental Bridge!

The Main Street Bridge in Old Town Temecula is a landmark of both history and progress. Just like this old-fashioned structure helped connect travelers and traders crossing the Murrietta Creek, dental bridges help connect your missing teeth to improve the function and aesthetics of your smile. While we offer a variety of dental bridges, implant bridges provide the best support.

Book a free consultation at Healthy Habit Dental Care today to learn if implant-supported bridges are right for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of your dental bridge depends on how many teeth you’re replacing and which dental bridge you choose.

The more teeth you need to replace, the more expensive your procedure will be. This is true no matter which restoration you use.

Additionally, the type of bridge makes a big difference in the price tag. Traditional, Cantilever, and Maryland bridges are all less expensive than implant bridges, thanks to their simple design. Dental implants, of course, are more costly due to their high-quality titanium material.

Fortunately, Healthy Habit Dental Care partners with third-party companies that help patients afford their care! With these flexible financing options, you can restore your smile affordably by splitting your cost into monthly payments.

Dental bridges are not removable.

Traditional and cantilever bridges are cemented in place by the dental crowns they use for support. This connection is stable and meant to last for years to come. A Maryland bridge, while less durable, is also non-removable for the patient.

A dental implant bridge is fixed on dental implants, which are permanently secured in your jawbone. These implants provide incredible and long-lasting stability, preventing your restoration from moving while you chew and speak.

No matter which dental bridge you choose, Healthy Habit Dental Care takes pride in providing comfortable, effective dentistry.

Before beginning your procedure, we use a local anesthetic to numb your teeth and gums. Additionally, if necessary, we can provide effective sedation dentistry that helps keep you calm and relaxed throughout the procedure.

Most often, we use oral conscious sedation, which involves taking a pill before you arrive at our office. Then, once you’re here for your appointment, you will already begin to feel the effects of the sedative. Patients describe it as a sense of euphoria that relaxes you throughout the procedure while keeping you awake and alert enough to follow directions.

Then, once we’re done, have someone you trust drive you home, where you will wait for the effects to wear off and begin your healing period.