If you have lost a tooth, you may want a dental bridge to close the gap—a more affordable option compared to a dental implant.
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is used to close the gap between two teeth when a tooth is missing. It is made up of three parts:
- Two crowns on either side of the gap
- The replacement tooth (called a “pontic”), which fills the gap
What Material Is Used for a Dental Bridge?
There are three material options for bridges:
- Porcelain (with a metal base)
- All metal
- All porcelain
How Much Does a Dental Bridge Cost?
Dental bridges cost around $3,000 to $6,000 without dental insurance. With a dental savings plan, dental bridge costs are cut roughly in half. Costs vary according to the material and how many pieces are required. Most bridges are at least 3 parts—the porcelain/metal replacement tooth and the two crowns surrounding the tooth.
With a dental savings plan, a dental bridge costs about $1,800 (cutting your bill by more than half!).
| Average Cost of a Dental Bridge | ||
|---|---|---|
| Piece of Bridge | Cost w/o Dental Insurance |
Cost w/1Dental Savings Plan *Averages of TX, FL, CA & NY |
| Bridge Replacement Tooth
(Porcelain/High Noble Metal) ADA Code 6240 |
$1,517 | $562 |
| Bridge Crown (x2)
(Porcelain + High Noble Metal) ADA Code 6750 |
$1,536 x 2 = $3,072 | $598 x 2 = $1,196 |
| Total Cost | $4,589 | $1,758 |
What Questions Should I Ask My Dentist About Dental Bridges?
Below are a list of important questions you should ask your dentist about dental bridges:
- What steps are involved when getting a bridge?
- How long will the process take from start to finish?
- What material is best for my situation?
- Which material is most cost-effective with my dental insurance or dental plan?
- Will any of my eating habits need to change while I’m becoming accustomed to the bridge? Are there certain foods I need to avoid?
- Is there anything special that I should know about maintaining and caring for the bridge?
- How long do you foresee the bridge lasting?
- What are the signs that I should look for to know when it may be time to get a replacement?
- Are there questions that I should be asking that I haven’t asked yet?
It’s interesting to know that metal materials can also be used for dental bridges. I’d like to find a good dentist to consult about that because I have a chipped tooth that I would like to get fixed. I want to get that done before I experience further toothaches.
Nice blog, Thanks for sharing the wonderful ideas.