Dental bridges

A conventional bridge replaces a missing tooth by crowning the teeth either side of the gap and joining them across it. It is fixed, comparatively quick, and needs no bone at the gap. The cost is that the supporting teeth are prepared for crowns — reduced on all surfaces — which is a permanent loss of structure in teeth that may be perfectly healthy. That trade-off is the entire decision, and it deserves to be stated plainly rather than presented as the cheaper option.

• A single missing tooth with sound teeth either side
• The neighbouring teeth already have large fillings or crowns, so preparing them costs less
• Insufficient bone for an implant, and grafting is not wanted
• Implant treatment is medically unsuitable
• The healing time an implant requires is not workable
• As an interim measure while a longer-term plan is decided

• A dental implant, which replaces the tooth without touching its neighbours
• A resin-bonded (Maryland) bridge, which involves far less preparation of one adjacent tooth
• A removable partial denture
• Leaving the gap, which is a reasonable option for some back teeth and should be discussed

• X-rays of the gap and of the teeth either side, including their roots
• The condition of those supporting teeth — existing fillings, root treatment, cracks
• Gum health and pocket depths around the supporting teeth
• Your bite, and how much force that area takes
• Whether you grind or clench
• How long the tooth has been missing, and whether neighbouring teeth have tilted

1. 1

   Assessment

   Examination and imaging of the supporting teeth. If either has a poor outlook, a bridge built on it inherits that outlook.

   Carried out by: Partner clinic

2. 2

   Any preparatory treatment

   Gum treatment, decay removal or root canal treatment on the supporting teeth before the bridge is planned.

   Carried out by: Partner clinic

3. 3

   Preparation

   The supporting teeth are reduced on all surfaces to take crowns. This is irreversible, and it is the real cost of a bridge.

   Carried out by: Partner clinic

4. 4

   Temporary bridge

   Protects the prepared teeth while the definitive bridge is made in the laboratory.

   Carried out by: Partner clinic

5. 5

   Fitting

   Try-in, adjustment of fit and bite, then cementation. Cleaning technique under the bridge is taught at this point.

   Carried out by: Partner clinic

6. 6

   Maintenance

   Cleaning underneath the false tooth requires specific tools. Decay under a bridge margin is the usual reason one fails.

   Carried out by: You

Preparation and fitting, with laboratory time between, which usually fits inside a single trip. Where the supporting teeth need root canal treatment or gum treatment first, more time or a second trip may be appropriate.

• The condition and long-term outlook of the teeth either side
• Gum and bone health around those teeth
• The length of the span — longer bridges take more load and fail sooner
• Your bite and any grinding
• Whether the supporting teeth are already crowned, which changes the calculation considerably
• Your ability to clean under the bridge daily

• The number of units, which includes the supporting crowns as well as the false tooth
• The material — metal-ceramic, zirconia and others differ in cost and indication
• Whether preparatory treatment is needed first
• Which laboratory makes it
• Whether temporaries are included in the quoted figure

We do not publish price ranges for this treatment. Any figure we could give before a clinic has approved it would be a guess presented as guidance. Your final price comes from the partner clinic in writing, after a dentist has reviewed your case.

• Permanent, irreversible reduction of the supporting teeth, which may be healthy
• Those teeth can subsequently need root canal treatment
• Decay at the margins, particularly where cleaning under the bridge is inadequate
• If one supporting tooth fails, the whole bridge usually fails with it
• The bone under the false tooth continues to resorb, since nothing is loading it
• Bridges chip, fracture and debond, and will need replacing at some point
• Longer spans carry more risk than single-tooth spans

• Are the teeth either side healthy, and what does preparing them cost me?
• Would an implant be possible, and what specifically rules it out for me?
• Would a resin-bonded bridge work here, with much less preparation?
• How many units am I being quoted for?
• What is the outlook for the supporting teeth specifically?
• How am I expected to clean under this, and can you show me?
• What happens if one of the supporting teeth fails in five years?

These are worth asking of any clinic, including ours. A clinic that answers them clearly and in writing is telling you something useful.

This treatment would be carried out by a licensed dentist at the partner clinic you choose, working in restorative dentistry and prosthodontics. Dental Anchor does not provide treatment and does not employ dentists.

• Dental implants
• Dental crowns

• What should be included in a dental treatment quote?

  7 min read