A missing tooth can make it more difficult to chew comfortably, speak clearly and feel confident about your smile. It may also allow neighboring teeth to shift toward the open space, potentially affecting your bite over time. A custom dental bridge replaces the missing tooth with a fixed restoration designed to restore appearance and function.
Patients seeking dental bridges in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, can turn to Greg J. Herd, DDS for treatment supported by decades of restorative dentistry experience. Dr. Herd has completed more than 550 dental bridges, while Dr. Gendreau has completed more than 270.
Restore the space left by a missing tooth with a solution designed for your smile. Call 949-858-5147 or schedule a dental bridge consultation with our Rancho Santa Margarita dental team.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth. The replacement tooth, known as a pontic, fills the open space and is supported by neighboring teeth, dental implants or a combination of carefully selected supports.
Unlike a removable partial denture, a bridge remains in place while you eat, speak and complete your daily activities. It is designed to blend with the shape and shade of the surrounding teeth while helping restore a stable chewing surface.
A dental bridge may be recommended to:
- Replace one or more adjacent missing teeth
- Restore chewing function
- Improve speech affected by a missing tooth
- Fill a visible gap in the smile
- Help prevent neighboring teeth from shifting
- Support a more balanced bite
- Maintain natural-looking tooth and facial proportions
Types of Dental Bridges
The right bridge depends on the location of the missing tooth, the condition of the neighboring teeth, the available support and your long-term restorative needs.
Traditional Dental Bridges
A traditional bridge uses crowns placed over the teeth on both sides of the open space. These crowns support the replacement tooth between them. This option may be appropriate when the neighboring teeth are healthy enough to support the restoration or already need crowns.
Cantilever Bridges
A cantilever bridge is supported on only one side of the missing tooth. Because this design places additional force on the supporting tooth, it is recommended only in carefully selected situations.
Implant-Supported Bridges
An implant-supported bridge replaces missing teeth without relying entirely on natural neighboring teeth for support. Dental implants are placed by an appropriate surgical provider and later restored with a custom bridge after healing.
Dr. Herd and Dr. Gendreau restore dental implants but do not surgically place them. Our team can coordinate with the provider responsible for implant placement and then design the final implant-supported crown, bridge or denture restoration.
Benefits of Replacing Missing Teeth With a Bridge
Replacing a missing tooth is not solely a cosmetic decision. The open space can influence how the remaining teeth contact one another and how force is distributed during chewing.
- Fixed tooth replacement: A bridge remains securely in place and does not need to be removed for meals.
- Improved chewing: Replacing the missing tooth can help distribute chewing forces more evenly.
- Clearer speech: Filling the open space may improve pronunciation affected by tooth loss.
- Natural-looking appearance: The shape and shade of the bridge are selected to complement nearby teeth.
- Reduced tooth movement: A bridge can help limit shifting of neighboring teeth into the empty space.
- Restored confidence: Replacing a visible missing tooth can help you feel more comfortable smiling and speaking.
Are You a Candidate for a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge may be appropriate if you are missing one or more teeth and have sufficient support from neighboring teeth or dental implants. Your gums and remaining teeth should also be healthy enough to support the restoration.
Before recommending a bridge, our dentist will evaluate:
- The number and location of missing teeth
- The strength of the neighboring teeth
- Your gum and bone health
- Your bite and chewing forces
- Existing fillings, crowns or other restorations
- Your ability to clean beneath the bridge
- Whether an implant-supported option should be considered
- Your treatment preferences and long-term goals
Decay, gum disease or damage affecting a supporting tooth may need to be treated before the bridge is placed. In some cases, a dental implant restoration or removable partial denture may provide a more appropriate solution.
What to Expect During the Dental Bridge Process
Evaluation and Treatment Planning
Your first visit includes an examination of the open space, neighboring teeth, gums and bite. Digital radiology and intraoral imaging may be used to evaluate the supporting structures and help you understand your treatment options.
Our dentist will compare the advantages and limitations of a traditional bridge, implant-supported restoration or removable option before recommending treatment.
Preparing the Supporting Teeth
For a traditional bridge, the teeth beside the open space are carefully shaped to support dental crowns. A conservative amount of enamel and tooth structure is removed so the crowns can fit properly without appearing bulky.
If the neighboring teeth already have large fillings, damage or other restorative needs, the crowns supporting the bridge may also help rebuild and protect those teeth.
Digital Impressions and Temporary Bridge
Digital impressions are used to record the prepared teeth, the open space and your bite. These detailed records help guide the shape and fit of the final bridge.
A temporary bridge is typically placed to protect the prepared teeth and help maintain appearance and function while the final restoration is being created. Our team will explain how to care for the temporary bridge and which foods to avoid.
Final Bridge Placement
At the final appointment, the bridge is evaluated for fit, shade, shape and bite. Necessary adjustments are made before it is securely bonded or cemented in place.
Your dentist will check how the bridge contacts the opposing teeth and show you how to clean beneath the replacement tooth and around the supporting crowns.
Traditional Bridges or Implant-Supported Restorations?
Traditional and implant-supported bridges can both replace missing teeth, but they rely on different forms of support.
Traditional Dental Bridge
A traditional bridge may be appropriate when the neighboring teeth can support crowns, especially if those teeth already have large fillings, damage or restorative needs. Treatment generally does not require a surgical procedure.
Implant-Supported Restoration
An implant-supported bridge may help preserve the natural neighboring teeth because they do not need to be prepared as bridge supports. However, implant treatment requires adequate bone, surgical placement, healing time and coordination between providers.
Our office has extensive experience restoring dental implants. Dr. Herd has completed more than 1,300 implant restorations, and Dr. Gendreau has completed more than 500. Their experience includes implant crowns, bridges and removable prosthetic options supported by dental implants.
You can learn more about this restorative option on our dental implant restorations page.
Experienced Restorative Dentists for Dental Bridges
A bridge must do more than fill a visible gap. It should fit precisely, complement the surrounding teeth, function comfortably within the bite and allow the supporting teeth and gums to remain maintainable.
Dr. Herd has provided restorative dentistry for 36 years. His relevant experience includes:
- More than 550 dental bridges
- More than 10,000 dental crowns
- More than 10,000 fillings or restorative cases
- More than 1,300 implant restorations
- More than 1,800 hours of continuing education
Dr. Gendreau brings 18 years of restorative dentistry experience to our office. He graduated at the top of his class in clinical dentistry at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. His relevant experience includes:
- More than 270 dental bridges
- More than 3,000 dental crowns
- More than 8,000 fillings or restorative cases
- More than 500 implant restorations
- Approximately 900 hours of continuing education
Our office also uses digital impressions, intraoral cameras and digital radiology to support accurate planning, patient education and communication throughout treatment.
Learn more about both providers on our Meet the Doctors page.
How to Care for a Dental Bridge
The crowns and replacement tooth within a bridge cannot develop cavities, but the natural supporting teeth remain vulnerable to decay and gum disease. Plaque and food can also collect beneath the replacement tooth if the area is not cleaned consistently.
To care for your bridge:
- Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Clean beneath the bridge every day with a floss threader, interdental brush or water flosser.
- Use oral care products recommended by our dental team.
- Avoid chewing ice and other hard objects that could damage the porcelain.
- Wear a nightguard if recommended for clenching or grinding.
- Attend regular dental examinations and professional cleanings.
Routine care allows our team to monitor the bridge, supporting teeth, gum tissue and bite so small concerns can be addressed before they threaten the restoration.
Dental Bridges for Rancho Santa Margarita and Nearby Communities
Our office welcomes patients seeking dental bridges in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, and surrounding communities, including Ladera Ranch, Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Trabuco Canyon, Coto de Caza, Dove Canyon and Las Flores.
Whether you recently lost a tooth or have lived with an open space for years, our dental team can evaluate the area and help you compare fixed and removable tooth replacement options.
Ready to learn which type of bridge may be right for you? Call 949-858-5147 to arrange a restorative dentistry consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bridges
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is a fixed restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth. The replacement tooth or teeth are supported by crowns on neighboring teeth or by dental implants.
How much does a dental bridge cost in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
The cost of a dental bridge depends on the number of missing teeth, the type of bridge, the materials used and the condition of the supporting teeth. Our team will provide a personalized estimate after completing an examination and reviewing your treatment options. You can also learn about our available financial options.
How many appointments are needed for a dental bridge?
A traditional dental bridge is commonly completed over two main treatment visits after the initial evaluation. Additional appointments may be needed if supporting teeth require treatment or if care must be coordinated for an implant-supported restoration.
How long do dental bridges last?
Dental bridges can provide long-lasting tooth replacement when they are properly designed, maintained and supported by healthy teeth or implants. Their lifespan depends on oral hygiene, bite forces, daily habits and regular dental care.
What are the alternatives to a dental bridge?
Alternatives may include a dental implant restoration, a removable partial denture or leaving the space untreated. The appropriate option depends on the location of the missing tooth, available bone, condition of the neighboring teeth, oral health and personal preferences.
How do I clean under a dental bridge?
The area beneath a bridge should be cleaned daily with floss threaders, interdental brushes, water flossers or other tools recommended by our dental team. Consistent cleaning helps protect the supporting teeth and surrounding gum tissue.
Who provides dental bridges in Rancho Santa Margarita, California?
Dr. Herd and Dr. Gendreau provide traditional and implant-supported dental bridge restorations for patients in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. Together, they have completed more than 820 dental bridges and bring decades of restorative dentistry experience to treatment planning.
Schedule a Dental Bridge Consultation
A missing tooth can affect your smile, chewing comfort and the position of the surrounding teeth. A personalized evaluation can help you understand whether a traditional bridge, implant-supported restoration or another tooth replacement option is appropriate.
Call 949-858-5147 or contact our office to schedule a consultation for dental bridges in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.