Losing a tooth affects far more than your appearance. It changes how you eat, how you speak, and how the rest of your teeth align over time. At Sterling Dental Center, we offer custom-fitted tooth bridges in Sterling, VA — a proven, affordable way to close the gap and restore full function without surgery.
Serving patients across Loudoun County, Ashburn, Cascades, and the greater Northern Virginia area, our team fabricates bridges that look, feel, and function like your natural teeth.
A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic device that fills the space left by one or more missing teeth. It consists of two main components:
Once cemented, a bridge is permanent — it does not come in and out like a denture, and it restores your ability to chew, speak, and smile with confidence.
Many patients assume a missing back tooth isn’t urgent because it isn’t visible. That’s a costly assumption. Without prompt replacement:
The best time to replace a missing tooth is as soon as possible after extraction. Our Sterling, VA dental team will assess your situation and recommend the fastest, most comfortable path forward.
Traditional Fixed Bridge The most common option. Two crowns are placed on the teeth bordering the gap (abutment teeth), with a pontic suspended between them. Ideal when strong, healthy natural teeth exist on both sides of the space.
Cantilever Bridge Used when only one adjacent tooth is available to support the bridge. Typically reserved for lower-pressure areas of the mouth such as the front teeth.
Maryland Bonded Bridge (Resin-Retained) A conservative option that uses a porcelain or metal framework bonded to the backs of neighboring teeth — no crowns required. Best suited for front teeth where biting force is lighter.
Our team will evaluate your bone structure, surrounding teeth, and bite during a comprehensive consultation and recommend the option best suited to your long-term oral health.
Getting a fixed bridge typically takes just two visits — most patients are surprised by how straightforward the process is.
First Visit — Preparation & Impressions During your first appointment, the abutment teeth are gently reshaped to make room for the crowns. Detailed impressions are taken and sent to our dental lab, where your custom bridge is fabricated. A temporary bridge is placed to protect your teeth in the meantime.
Second Visit — Placement & Final Fitting Once your permanent bridge arrives, we check the fit, shade match, and bite alignment. After any minor adjustments, the bridge is permanently cemented into place. Most patients leave the same day and return to normal activities immediately.
Both options effectively replace missing teeth, but they work differently:
| Fixed Dental Bridge | Dental Implant | |
| Surgery required | No | Yes |
| Visits to complete | 2 | Multiple over several months |
| Preserves jaw bone | No | Yes |
| Affects adjacent teeth | Yes (crowns required) | No |
| Typical lifespan | 10–15 years | 20+ years |
| Relative cost | Lower | Higher |
If the teeth on either side of the gap are healthy and free of large restorations, an Implant may be the better long-term investment. If you prefer a non-surgical option, or if the adjacent teeth already need crowns, a bridge is often the ideal choice.
Our Sterling Dental Center team will give you an honest, no-pressure recommendation based on your oral health, budget, and goals — never a one-size-fits-all answer.
With proper care, a fixed dental bridge lasts 10 to 15 years — and often longer. To maximize the lifespan of your bridge:
Our hygiene team will show you exactly how to clean around your bridge at your placement appointment.
The cost depends on the number of missing teeth, the bridge material chosen, and your insurance coverage. A standard three-unit bridge typically ranges from $2,500 to $6,000 without insurance. We accept most major dental insurance plans and offer flexible financing options. Call our Sterling, VA office at (703) 433-0234 for a personalized estimate before your first visit.
Most plans classify bridges as a major restorative procedure and cover approximately 50% of the cost after the deductible is met. Our front desk team will verify your specific benefits before treatment begins so you know your exact out-of-pocket cost upfront.
Yes. Once cemented, a dental bridge is fixed in your mouth and cannot be removed at home. It functions just like natural teeth and can only be removed or replaced by a dental professional.
Bridges can be made from porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), all-ceramic or zirconia, or gold alloy. We most often use all-ceramic or zirconia materials for visible teeth — they closely match your natural tooth color and are highly resistant to staining and chipping.
Yes. Most patients resume a full, normal diet within a few days of placement. We recommend avoiding extremely hard or sticky foods to help your bridge last as long as possible.
For more information about whether a dental bridge will work for you and to discuss which option is best, make an appointment with Dr. Bursich at our Sterling Dental Clinic.
Schedule online at a time that works for you. Our team will confirm and guide you on next steps.
Meet with our dental team for a thorough assessment and a clear, customized treatment plan.
Receive expert care from our in-house specialists—efficient, coordinated, and stress-free.
Schedule online at a time that works for you. Our team will confirm and guide you on next steps.
Meet with our dental team for a thorough assessment and a clear, customized treatment plan.
Receive expert care from our in-house specialists—efficient, coordinated, and stress-free.
