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Dental Bridges in Vinton, VA

Are missing teeth causing embarrassment and making you feel self-conscious? We all want to create a positive first impression, and your smile says a lot about you. If you've been putting off treatment, replacing a missing tooth may not be as complicated as you think. A simple restoration like a dental bridge placed at our dental office in Vinton, VA may be all you need to restore your smile and let you get on with your busy life.

Dr. Law and the rest of our team realize that having a missing tooth may make you feel embarrassed. We understand your concerns and will help you get the problem fixed quickly and affordably. We are here to make the process as stress-free as possible. Caring for your oral health and making sure you get the dental health care you need is a responsibility we take very seriously.

Why Do I Need a Bridge?

Missing teeth don't just look bad. Your teeth are designed to help you chew and speak properly. When a tooth is missing, these simple actions become painful and uncomfortable. A missing tooth can also cause problems that affect your oral health. The space left by a missing tooth may cause surrounding teeth to move and change position. In the long run, this can lead to problems like crooked teeth and an altered bite that is more complicated and expensive to fix and may eventually cause further damage to your remaining teeth.

What Is a Dental Bridge Used For?

A bridge is a dental restoration that is used to improve the health of your smile when one or more teeth are missing. It is also referred to as a “fixed bridge” because it is permanently attached to your teeth. A fixed bridge is usually made up of three or more pieces – two dental crowns that we secure to neighboring teeth and a replacement tooth that fills the empty space left by a missing tooth.

Why Is a Fixed Bridge Important?

You may not realize it, but your teeth are continuously shifting. A fixed bridge can solve a lot of the problems this movement creates because of it:

  • Acts as a placeholder and prevents surrounding teeth from drifting into the space
  • Restores your ability to chew easily
  • Restores and beautifies your smile

What Happens When I Get a Dental Bridge?

Placing a fixed bridge usually requires at least two appointments. First, Dr. Law will reshape the adjacent teeth slightly to make sure that the crowns fit perfectly. We take impressions of your teeth, and these are used to create the permanent fixed bridge. We will also make a temporary bridge for you to wear while the permanent bridge is custom-crafted at our dental lab.

When you return to our dental office in Vinton, VA for your second visit, the new permanent bridge will be adjusted for comfort and to create a perfect bite. The final step is to cement the bridge permanently in place. Before leaving our office, we will give you instructions for caring for your new bridge. Good oral hygiene and regular professional cleanings will help keep your bridge in good condition for many years.

Call Us for More Information

We want to make sure that you have all the information you need before making any decisions. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you understand the process, so please don’t hesitate to call our practice at (540) 342-4945.  

Frequently Asked Questions

We do have options for replacing missing teeth such as dental bridges and dentures. The option we recommend will depend on your individual needs and desired results.

Dental bridges work very well when you need only one or two teeth replaced. A bridge is made up of an artificial tooth (known as a pontic) and dental crowns that secure the pontic to your natural teeth on either side.

Partial dentures are used when you have several teeth missing; full dentures are used when all your teeth are missing or have been extracted. Modern dentures are much more comfortable than those made in the past. The material does not irritate your mouth, and today’s dentures can be created to form a very snug fit, reducing the risk of slipping and sliding.

A missing tooth is unattractive and can lead to other serious oral health problems, so replacing missing teeth as soon as possible is very important. Over time, a missing tooth permits surrounding teeth to move into the empty space. The result is that the rest of your teeth begin to shift out of their proper position, causing your teeth to become misaligned, which can lead to pain, loose teeth, grinding, and even fractures.

Dental bridges and crowns actually perform two very different jobs. A dental bridge involves several teeth and is used to fill the empty space left by a missing tooth. Dental crowns are used on one tooth for added strength and protection.

A dental bridge is a single unit made up of two different types of restorations. Since the main function of a bridge is to fill an empty space, it contains an artificial tooth. But this tooth cannot stand on its own – it needs to be attached to your natural teeth for support and to hold it in place.

So the second type of restoration we use in a bridge is dental crowns that are attached to the artificial tooth, and then secured to your teeth on either side. In this way, dental crowns and bridges work together to form a single, stable unit. A dental bridge solves the problem of your missing tooth and allows you to eat normally.

Now that you understand the design of a bridge, you know that it is only used if you have a missing tooth. On the other hand, dental crowns can be used to support the bridge, protect a damaged tooth, or even correct cosmetic flaws like chipped or stained teeth.

At our Vinton dental office, Dr. Law performs many dental restorations, including crowns and bridges. Please give us a call – we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about dental bridges and crowns.

A bridge is a type of dental restoration that is used to fill the space left by a missing tooth and to return your teeth to full function so you can speak and eat normally.

In most cases, we use a ‘fixed bridge’ that is permanently attached to adjacent teeth with dental crowns. This type of bridge is made up of an artificial tooth, or pontic, that is secured to a dental crown on either side. Dr. Law will prepare the adjacent teeth for the crowns, and then the whole unit will be cemented in place.

Dental bridges also provide a cosmetic solution, because they replace the missing tooth, greatly improving your appearance. But the bridge also serves the purpose of stabilizing surrounding teeth.

This is important because, without a placeholder for the missing tooth, nearby teeth will gradually shift and move into the empty space. This will create misalignment of your teeth, which can eventually lead to other problems like teeth grinding and premature wearing of your teeth.

It is always a good idea to replace a missing tooth as soon as possible to prevent these other problems from occurring. Please contact our Vinton dental office for more information about dental bridges.

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Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Zachary Law

A native of Elkins, West Virginia, Dr. Law came to this community when he took over the practice in the summer of 2013. Dr. Law achieved his Bachelors of Science degree at Alderson-Broaddus College and continued his education at West Virginia University, graduating with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.

Before moving to Virginia, Dr. Law was a practicing dentist in Berkeley Springs for eight years under the tutelage of Dr. Thomas Leslie.  He also served as an adjunct professor for West Virginia University’s School of Dentistry as a preceptor for ...

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