Your dentist might suggest a dental bridge if there is a space in your smile where a tooth should be. This kind of tooth replacement fills the gap left by missing teeth. Dental bridges might be expensive but they are an effective way to restore missing teeth. So, How much do dental bridge cost? We’ve gathered information on typical dental bridge expenses to help you budget for this treatment.
What are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is used to fill in the space left by one or more lost teeth between two healthy teeth. The healthy teeth on each side of the gap are typically given dental crowns to support the bridge that spans the space. These teeth are referred to as abutment teeth or anchor teeth. The pontic, which is essentially what the bridge is, is an artificial tooth. The pontic can be made of a variety of materials, including porcelain, gold, alloys, or a combination of these. Typically, bridges are composed of zirconia, porcelain, metal, or a combination of the two. They are set in situ and provide an alternative to dentures for some people.
Dental bridge types
One of the four types of dental bridges that your dentist may recommend. Which one you’ll need depends on where your missing tooth is located and how well your neighboring teeth are doing. The various kinds of bridges include:
- Traditional bridge: The most typical kind of dental bridge is the traditional one, also referred to as a fixed bridge. In order to secure the artificial tooth or teeth in place during your fitting, crowns will be placed on the teeth on each side of the gap.
- Cantilever bridges: Cantilever bridges only require one tooth for support. With the use of a cantilever connection, the false tooth is joined to the supporting tooth.
- Maryland bridges: Also known as resin-bonded bridges, Maryland bridges are typically used to replace teeth in the front of the mouth. In order to accomplish this without causing permanent damage to the supporting tooth, metal wings are often attached to the false tooth before bonding.
- Implant-supported bridges: As you might infer from the name, dental implants serve as the foundation for these bridges. This technique is typically the most expensive and is frequently suggested if you are missing several teeth at once.
Read more: Benefits of Cosmetic Fillings
How Much Does a Dental Bridge Cost?
The price of a dental bridge is affected by several variables. In the United States, dental bridge costs can range from $1,500 for a Maryland bridge to $16,000 for an implant-supported bridge.
Several Factors Affecting the Cost of Dental bridges
Several factors affect the cost of dental bridges, including:
- How many teeth are missing: Bridges that replace multiple teeth cost extra.
- Your choice of bridge: Costlier still are dental bridges supported by implants.
- The false tooth’s construction material: The most common porcelain is porcelain since it looks the most like actual teeth. Porcelain, however, can cost more than other materials. By using an alternative material, you might be able to save money.
- What requires attention to the support teeth: Your dentist will want to address any decay or damage to the tooth supporting the bridge first. That will increase the overall cost of your estimate. Surgery is necessary for an implanted bridge, which increases the expense.
The cost of dental bridges in your location might not be represented by these prices. The most reliable source for a precise cost prediction is a nearby dentist.
How much does an implant-supported bridge cost?
Consider two implants and then a bridge fitted to each of the implants if you are missing three consecutive teeth. The price of the bridge and implants, which range from $3,000 to $4,500 apiece (with the required abutments), is now mentioned.
Read more: The pros and cons of a dental bridge
3 Ways To Finance Dental Work That Aren’t Insurance
For dental operations that are not covered by your insurance or that cost more than the maximum benefit amount permitted by your plan, many dental clinics offer payment plans. Certain procedures might not even be covered. If so, you might think about dental loans. You can utilize dental loans, a specific category of unsecured personal loan, to pay for dental work. You don’t need to offer collateral for the loan, just like with conventional unsecured loans. However, compared to many standard personal loans, dental loans frequently have lower interest rates, smaller monthly payments, and better loan terms, making them a wise choice if you need assistance paying a dental bill.
You may often obtain a dental loan for between $1,000 and $50,000, though the exact amount you can borrow will depend on the lender and your credit.
How much does a 3-unit bridge cost?
A three-unit bridge may cost between $2,500 and $4,000. If you have a bigger gap, budget around $1,300 for each additional tooth for a bridge without an implant.
A typical 3-unit bridge can cost between $500 and $1,500. The same device that is implant-secured can cost $5,000.
How much does a dental bridge cost with insurance?
Even though dental bridges are solely aesthetic, most dental insurance plans will pay a percentage of the cost because they are not regarded as such. In general, most insurance policies will cover 40%–50% of the cost of a dental bridge. However, since every dental policy is different, it’s vital to check your coverage before scheduling an appointment.
Other tooth bridge cost factors
Education, Experience, and Location of Dentist: Typically, services offered by experienced dentists are more expensive than those performed by recent dental school graduates. Additionally, geographical location can affect dental bridge costs. Generally, practices in metropolitan cities charge more than those in rural areas.
Choose Dentist For Life for your dental bridge
You must visit our office for a first consultation when you decide on a dental bridge so that we can get started on the installation’s preparations. Most likely, you’ll get a temporary bridge. In a subsequent appointment, we will swap out the temporary bridge with a permanent one, and you’ll have a full smile once more! Do you want to know how much a dental bridge will cost? Make an appointment with Dentisforlife to learn more. With your needs and financial constraints in mind, we can help you assess the benefits that your dental insurance provides.