Dental Bridges in Winchester, VA

Bridge vs. Implant

A BRIDGE CAN REPLACE MISSING TEETH OR GAPS IN YOUR MOUTH.

A bridge is basically putting a crown on the teeth on each side of the gap (missing tooth area), and then connecting them by placing crowns in between – hence the name bridge. The crowns replacing the missing teeth are hanging in between 2 pillars (see photo to the right). The crowns on the teeth are called “retainer crowns” and the crowns replacing the missing teeth are called “pontic crowns”. You will normally have 2 retainer crowns, one on each side of the gap, and 1 or more pontic crowns depending on how many teeth you are missing.

Bridges also come in a variety of types, some requiring us to take more tooth structure off, and some being more conservative. To offer you the ideal treatment, we offer all types of bridges. It is now also possible to connect bridges to implants. Click here to read more about implant-retained bridges.

A bridge (fixed partial denture in dental terminology) used to be the standard of care for replacing missing teeth. With the advent of implants we do not do as many bridge as before since the long term success rate of a dental implant is higher and the cost is very similar. Click here to read more about dental implants .

CAN I FLOSS WHEN I HAVE A BRIDGE?

You can floss on the side of the anchor teeth but you will have to use special floss or a waterpik to get underneath the bridge to clean it. We will review and demonstrate home care instructions with you when we deliver your bridge. The inability to floss a bridge properly is one of the reasons why we always recommend dental implants if possible.