Dental Bridges
Missing a tooth or several teeth can negatively impact your quality of life and impair your ability to speak or chew.
Dr. David Garate and Dr. Myriam Falcon can restore these functions and your quality of life using dental bridges.
Learn how Perfect Smiles California in Chula Vista, CA, can save your smile with beautifully crafted dental bridges.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are a form of restorative dentistry that can replace several consecutive teeth with a single restoration.
Dental bridges usually consist of replacement teeth (pontics) that fill in the gaps left behind by missing teeth. The pontics are supported by dental crowns that are attached to neighboring teeth or by a dental implant, a small post that is inserted into the jaw.
Most bridges use natural-looking materials like porcelain to beautifully mimic the luster of a natural tooth. At Perfect Smiles California, our dentists excel at creating bridges out of high-end dental materials that are known for their excellent strength and appealing esthetics, such as BruxZir® Full-Strength Zirconia and Ivoclar Vivadent's IPS e.max® Prime Esthetic.
Types of Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are a great way for patients to fill the gaps in their smiles while protecting their remaining natural teeth from shifting and other effects of tooth loss. Our Chula Vista dentists offer two types of bridges.
Traditional
A traditional bridge requires patients to have solid, healthy natural teeth remaining on either side to support it. While a traditional bridge lets you keep your natural teeth, the abutment teeth supporting the bridge will need to have some enamel removed to make room for the crowns. Since traditional bridges need a strong tooth on either side of the gap to support the pontics, they can't be used in all areas of the mouth. For example, a traditional bridge would not be able to replace the last few teeth in the back row since there would be nothing to attach to on one side.
Implant-Supported
Implant-supported bridges are supported by dental implants inserted into the jaw instead of neighboring teeth. Implant-based replacements are often the most stable, natural-feeling restorations. They are also the only restoration that stimulates bone growth, which prevents the jaw from deteriorating due to missing teeth. Implant-supported crowns can be used in the back of the mouth, but their placement depends on bone density and other factors. Implant-based treatments require a longer healing time and also tend to cost more.
Benefits of Dental Bridges
Restore Functionality
Eating or speaking with a missing tooth can be a challenge. Bridges help restore these abilities so you can focus on your daily activities.
Balance Your Bite
Dental bridges help distribute the pressure from chewing more evenly in your mouth so you don't wear down teeth prematurely due to uneven stresses.
More Youthful Look
Your facial muscles depend on your teeth for structural support, so missing teeth can lead to sagging in your face or a change in your lip line. Dental bridges can replace missing teeth and help maintain the shape of your face.
Long Lifespan
Dental bridges are a long-lasting solution for missing teeth. When properly cared for a bridge can last for 10 or 15 years, or longer.
Money-Saving
When a tooth is missing, your surrounding teeth can move out of position. This in turn causes new dental problems. Bridges can keep your teeth from shifting and let you avoid the extra costs that typically occur when a misaligned bite causes uneven wear on teeth.
Don't Wait to Restore Your Smile, Request a Consultation Today
With around 40 years of combined experience, Dr. Garate and Dr. Falcon can replace multiple missing teeth using dental bridges.
Our dentists have the training and advanced technology to handle all aspects of your treatment, including implant and crown placements, in one convenient location.
After assessing your mouth, our dentists can first help you determine if dental bridges are the right solution in your case and then decide which type of bridge would be a good fit, a traditional bridge or an implant-supported bridge.
We also offer complimentary implant consultations and same-day emergency services. You can submit a form to contact our staff or request a consultation with one of our dentists by calling our office at:
(619) 656-4199
We offer comprehensive dental services to the San Diego and National City area from our Chula Vista dental office.
Rocio Diaz
Chula Vista, CA
2024
I have recommended Perfect Smiles to family and friends and will continue to do it. I have been coming to Perfect Smiles for my dental care for about 5 years and always received friendly and professional service! Thank you Dr. Falcon for taking care of my dental health!
View on GoogleAngela Brill
Chula Vista, CA
2024
Dr. Garate and his entire team provide the most excellent patient care. Service from front desk to dental hygiene and doctor care are proficient and delivered with compassion. Educating patients on best care is an added and necessary benefit we all receive in this office! Makes keeping appointments easy!
View on GoogleOur Worry-Free Warranty
We only use the best dentistry and materials for our dental bridges. We're so confident in the quality of our work that we offer a worry-free two-year warranty to guarantee your results. Patients can also upgrade from the free warranty to a five-year plan to provide the ultimate sense of security for their new smile.
"As much as I HATE dental visits, Perfect Smiles is always a great, warming experience."
Erin Lupo, 2024
Financing Options
Our patients can usually expect an average cost of $850-$1,300 for traditional dental bridges. While dental insurance coverage will vary depending on your provider and plan, insurance companies typically cover at least part of the cost.
We also offer flexible payment plans to help cover any remaining expenses. Our patients can enjoy benefits such as 0% and low-interest financing through partnered lenders such as:
In addition to the other options, we accept cash, checks, credit, and debit cards. Our friendly staff can help you find the best financing options to meet your needs.
Dental Bridge Timeline
Procedure Steps
By replacing up to three consecutive teeth at a time, bridges can be a cost-effective way to restore your smile.
We draw patients from National City, Chula Vista, and throughout San Diego.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bridges
Q. Is there a benefit of an implant-supported dental bridge over a traditional dental bridge?
A. Yes. Dental implants are considered the gold standard in dentistry for several reasons. One major advantage of dental implants is that they act as artificial tooth roots and provide stimulation to the jaw to stop and prevent jawbone atrophy. Plus, implant-supported bridges do not require the alteration of anchoring teeth to support the pontics. Instead, two implants are placed on either end of the gap to secure the restoration.
Q. Will dental insurance cover an implant-supported bridge?
A. In most cases, dental insurance does not cover dental implants. However, it may cover other aspects of your treatment, such as the bridge itself. While implants typically cost more, there are numerous long-term benefits that may save you time and money later, including the prevention of jaw atrophy which might require bone grafting.
Q. Is there an alternative to a dental bridge?
A. Depending on your degree of tooth loss, a partial or complete denture may be an option for you. Partial dentures are designed to address several areas of tooth loss, while a complete denture replaces an entire arch of missing teeth. During your initial consultation at our Chula Vista practice, your dentist can discuss your options and help you decide if a denture, bridge, or other restorative dentistry option is best for you.
Have other questions about dental bridges?
"Rest Assured You Will be Happy With the Results" Rave Review for Our Chula Vista Practice
Desiree Hallas
Chula Vista, CA
2024
Perfect Smiles has the two best dentists and most amazing staff I have ever met. Dr Garate and Dr Falcon take such pride in their work while they make you feel so comfortable you forget you are actually at the dentist chair. No matter what work you get done, rest assure you will be happy with the results and will want to come back again. Thank you for all of your outstanding work and care for your patients. Desiree Hallas, Insurance Advisor from San Diego, CA
View on Googlebubus v
Chula Vista, CA
2024
I had a great experience with the whole perfect smiles crew and wanted to let everyone know. They were really friendly and always greeted you, they did the job fast and well. Everything turned out awesome. I totally suggest going to them if you need any kind of work. They're amazing!
View on Google
