When one or more teeth go missing from your mouth, it impacts not only your appearance but also the functionality of your mouth. In addition, it can cause some major problems such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), shifting of the teeth, speech impediments, biting issues, greater risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay. That is why, when such a problem arrives, you must get it treated at the earliest.
One of the best ways of treating missing teeth issues is by using a dental bridge. Dental bridges are false teeth that serve as a mechanism of filling the gaps in your mouth that helps in the correct functioning of your teeth and restoring back the aesthetics of your smile. Through this blog, we will uncover how much does a dental bridge cost and what are the various other aspects of dental bridge treatment. Let’s start by understanding:
Who Needs a Dental Bridge?
Most likely, a dental bridge is needed when a person has missing teeth problems. When a tooth in your mouth is missing, it can cause various issues and result in bad hygiene of the mouth. Typically, on missing a tooth, the teeth in the opposite jaw start moving down towards the empty space, hampering the teeth structure’s alignment. It causes problems like:
- Biting issues
- Chewing difficulties
- Face and smile disorders
- Pain in gums due to extra stress on jaw and teeth
- Speech disorders
Explore Your Options: Types of Dental Bridges
In general, there are four kinds of dental bridges:
Traditional Dental Bridges
A traditional bridge consists of a crown or a false tooth that is held in its position by cementing it onto abutment teeth. In this case, you must have natural abutment teeth on both sides of the missing tooth. It is one of the most followed dental bridge procedures.
Cantilever Dental Bridges
A cantilever bridge is quite similar to a traditional bridge. The only difference is that, unlike a traditional bridge, which requires abutment teeth on both sides, it only requires one abutment tooth. In this bridge type, the installed bridge is held by cementing it only with one abutment tooth.
Maryland Dental Bridges
Maryland dental bridges also use two natural abutment teeth on each side of the gap to carry out the dental procedure. However, instead of using a dental crown on the abutment tooth, it uses a metal or porcelain framework that is attached to the back of the abutment teeth.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridges
These types of bridges are required if the number of missing teeth is higher. As opposed to metal frameworks or crowns, they use dental implants for completing the procedure. The dentist surgically places an implant for every missing tooth, which helps hold the bridge in its position. The procedure usually requires first placing implants into the jawbone and then embedding the bridge on the teeth.
How Dental Bridges Assist You to Maintain Better Dental Hygiene?
Despite moderate to high dental bridge cost, the advantages of getting your teeth treated with dental bridges are numerous. Here are some of the most prominent ones:
- It helps to restore back the aesthetics of your smile.
- The chewing capability gets hugely enhanced when all teeth are aligned and working together.
- Removing the missing gaps from the mouth helps you get rid of speech impediments and inaccurate pronunciations.
- The jaws restore their shape using dental bridges which leads to the right maintenance of the shape of the face.
- Dental bridges readjust your biting force and ensure correct usage of force while eating food.
- It helps correct the positioning of your teeth.
Treatment Procedure for Dental Bridges
How much is a bridge for teeth depends on the type of bridge being installed in your treatment. Before calculating the costs, let us first look at the treatment procedure for dental bridges:
Consultation
The initial consultation involves checking your teeth by the dentist. The dentist thoroughly examines your teeth and takes X-Ray if required. Then the dentist explains to you the situation of your teeth and recommends the type of bridge required for you.
The dentist will inform you on how much does a tooth bridge cost? Further, the abutment teeth are prepared and a portion of enamel is removed to create sufficient space if necessary.
Giving Measurements
The next step is taking the impressions of your teeth to create a model that will help build the accurate size of bridge and crowns required for your teeth. Whilst your permanent bridge is under preparation, your dentist will provide you with a temporary bridge for protection of your exposed teeth.
Installing the Bridge
The permanent bridge for your teeth will be installed on your second visit. The dentist will remove the temporary bridge and fit and adjust the newly built bridge. In case the bridge to be installed is permanent, the dentist will temporarily fix it with cement to ensure the fitting is accurate. Then after a couple of days, if everything is functional, the bridge will be cemented permanently.
How Much Dental Bridges Cost?
The dental bridges cost is dependent on various factors and parameters. Though one can not be entirely specific on the amount, but can advise a dental bridge cost estimate. Several variables can affect the bridge teeth price including:
- Material used in the manufacturing of bridges like composite resin, metal alloy, zirconia, etc.
- Complexity in the placement of the bridge.
- Number of teeth required for filling the gap.
- Location of the dentist.
- Additional treatments required.
To give a general idea of how much does a bridge cost, you have to comprehend it by the type of bridge you are selecting such as:
| Type of Bridges | Average Dental Bridge Prices / Costs |
| Traditional Bridges | £250 – £800 per unit |
| Cantilever Bridges | £300 – £1000 per unit |
| Maryland Bridges | £350 – £1,100 per unit |
| Implant-Supported Bridges | Starts onwards from £3,500 |
NHS dental bridge cost are subjective to the type of treatment plan you choose.
Factors that Influence the Cost of Dental Bridges
How much is a dental bridge? It is the first question that comes to the mind of a patient when they require a new dental bridge. The cost of bridges is variable and depends on numerous factors such as:
Number of Teeth to be Replaced
The cost of dental bridges is directly influenced by the number of teeth needed to be replaced. For instance, a tooth bridge cost will be much lesser than that of a full row front teeth bridge cost.
Materials Used for Bridges
The manufacturing material of the bridges directly impacts the price of the dental bridge. Materials like composite resin, metal alloy, zirconia, etc. are used for the making of bridges. However, zirconia and porcelain-made bridges offer the best results and cost the highest.
Location of Your Teeth
In some cases, the location of the bridge needed to be installed is extremely complex. In such situations, the dentist may charge you more for installment of the bridge.
Requirement of Additional Procedures
Sometimes after going through the X-Ray of your mouth, the dentist may suggest additional procedures such as tooth extraction before installing the dental bridge. In such a case, you may have to pay extra for your treatment.
Conclusion
Dental bridges can be beneficial in maintaining your dental hygiene and giving you a new look altogether. You may contact our team to know how much does a bridge cost on the NHS and what other procedures we offer. Why not book a consultation at your nearest Perfect Smile practice to understand about the condition of your teeth.