Considering a Dental Bridge? What You Need to Know

Posted on: 22 August 2016

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When you have a missing tooth, there are several procedures that can be used to fix it. If partial dentures are not your style, and if a dental implant is too expensive, then a dental bridge will be your best solution to fix it. Here are some things that you should know about a dental bridge before you get one.

What Benefits Do Dental Bridges Provide?

Unlike a partial denture, a dental bridge will be a permanent fixture of your mouth. You will not be able to remove the bridge, since it is held in place by two crowns installed on the surrounding teeth. This will make having a bridge very convenient, since you never need to take out the bridge when eating or deal with misplacing it after soaking it for routine cleaning.

You can also see a very quick turnaround time when getting a dental bridge. Expect your dentist to require a couple appointments in order to craft and fit the dental bridge to your mouth. The installation procedure is not invasive when compared to the procedure required for dental implants. There will be no drilling into your gums to fuse posts with the jawbone

What Different Dental Bridges Are Available?

It's typical for a dental bridge to use porcelain crowns, which are installed on the healthy teeth surrounding the gap. They help form the posts that the fake tooth attaches to, giving the bridge much-needed stability.

If you do not have two healthy teeth that can be used for posts, your dentist can use the cantilever bridge. Though it doesn't technically look like a bridge, with only a single post, it can be very effective at doing its job. It also avoids the need to install a dental implant on the opposite side for support.

How Much Do Dental Bridges Cost?

There are many factors that determine how much a dental bridge will cost. This includes whether a root canal needs to be performed on the surrounding teeth, what the materials used for making the bridge are, and what preparation procedures are used for the teeth.

Expect to pay between $700–$1,500 for a single dental bridge. Thankfully, your dental insurance company should cover part of the procedure. Make sure you understand what your coverage limits are, since the company could cover a percentage of the dental bridge or up to a certain dollar amount.

For more info on dental bridges, make an appointment with a local dentistry for a consultation.