In the past few years, dental bridges have become an increasingly popular solution to tooth loss. One of the main reasons that dental bridges are so popular is because they’re affordable and can be used to cover one or several missing teeth. And while dental bridges are affordable, there are actually different types of dental bridges available – some of which will be more or less expensive than others. This article will discuss three different types of dental bridges and their cost differences and alternatives. Types of Dental Bridges Dental bridges are a common, affordable way to replace missing teeth and improve your smile. The two main types of dental bridges are: • Fixed - In addition to false teeth, fixed bridges connect directly to neighboring natural teeth on either side. • Removable – These are placed over your existing teeth and must be removed when you eat or brush your natural teeth. A removable bridge replaces one tooth whereas a fixed bridge replaces at least two adjacent or opposing teeth. Your dentist will help you decide which type you need based on your individual needs and dentition. You may opt for both in order to get maximum stability and strength while maintaining aesthetics in your smile. Fixed Bridge A Dental Bridges Cost is cemented over several teeth on both sides of a missing tooth or teeth, to replace it. This type of bridge will not move and can withstand eating very hard foods, like apples. It will also last a long time and is extremely sturdy. The downside to a fixed bridge is that if you have tooth decay or gum disease in one of your adjoining teeth, you will still have those problems after getting a fixed bridge. Cost: Between $2,000 and $4,000 for an upper permanent bridge; around $1,500 for a lower permanent bridge. A removable partial denture usually costs about half as much. (Note: Prices vary greatly from office to office.) Anterior Bridge If you are missing one or more teeth in front, a dental bridge may be your best option. This type of restoration consists of two crowns that serve as anchors for a false tooth (called a pontic) that fills in the gap. Like other types of bridges, an anterior bridge is attached to your natural teeth with dental cement. In most cases, both anchor teeth must be made stronger with porcelain crowns prior to placement. If one or more anchor teeth need extensive work before they can support a bridge, your dentist may recommend you have dental implants instead. There are three different types of anterior bridges Posterior Bridge There are two main types of dental bridges: anterior and posterior. Posterior bridges consist of two teeth on either side of a gap. They’re less common than anterior bridges, which are attached to front teeth. While anterior bridges are more cosmetically appealing, it is easier to restore and maintain posterior ones. A replacement tooth used in an anterior bridge can change or damage neighboring teeth or tissues; however, there’s no risk associated with attaching a prosthetic tooth to molars because they don’t have any adorning parts around them. Maryland Bridge A Maryland bridge is a dental restoration procedure that replaces one or more missing teeth using a piece(s) of dental crowns, called pontics. A Maryland bridge consists of two crowns (or one if there’s only one missing tooth), held together by metal framework and fixed onto existing teeth or implants with crown-like attachments. To determine whether a patient is an ideal candidate for a Maryland bridge, your dentist will evaluate his/her surrounding teeth to make sure they are stable enough to support and withstand being used as anchors. If not, he may need to place additional implants to add stability. The cost of a bridge averages between $1,500 and $2,000 dollars depending on how many teeth you’re replacing. Cantilever Bridge This type of dental bridge requires two dental crowns on either side, attached to implants or natural teeth. This is considered one of most conservative methods for replacing missing teeth. It’s typically made from porcelain fused to metal (PFM) and costs $3,000-$6,000 depending on your dentist and region. On average a patient will spend an additional $900-$1,600 per tooth covered under a dental insurance plan. This amount can vary significantly based on whether you are using traditional Medicaid or Medicare versus more common plans such as Delta, Blue Cross or Cigna. Flexible Composite Bridge A bridge is an alternative to a removable denture and can be used when all teeth in a row are missing, but some natural teeth remain on either side. A flexible composite dental bridge (which is held in place by neighboring natural teeth) costs about $1,500 for a basic one-to-two tooth replacement. More complex bridges with three or more natural teeth retained on each side can cost up to $2,500 per tooth. Implants are generally a better choice if you want something that looks and feels as much like your original smile as possible. Dentures as an Alternative While dentures are often one of the most affordable ways to fix your missing teeth, they can cause serious embarrassment and discomfort. With dentures, you may feel like you’re wearing a mask since part or all of your mouth is covered. Dentures also require quite a bit of upkeep – they have to be removed at night, are susceptible to bacteria buildup, and require regular cleaning and adjusting. That’s why denture wearers often choose dental bridges over traditional prosthetics. A dental bridge can replace one or several missing teeth with natural-looking false teeth that fit perfectly with surrounding teeth. While there are many materials used in creating these custom-fit bridges – including gold, porcelain and plastic – each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Additional Costs for Dental Implants Implants are more expensive than other types of restorations, so people with dental insurance will usually have to pay out-of-pocket for implants. If you do have dental insurance, then check with your plan to see how much it will cover. Some plans offer a benefit that covers all costs while others will only cover part of implant costs. Here’s a list of additional expenses Materials Used in Dentures Dentures can be made out of several different materials, including acrylic resin and polypropylene. Resin is most commonly used in dentures because it is easy to use, comfortable for patients and relatively inexpensive. Polypropylene is a newer material that has many advantages over acrylic resin: It's lighter than acrylic, sturdier and more comfortable for patients. The downside? Polypropylene dentures are often more expensive than their resin counterparts. Many dentists charge by material instead of type; if you ask your dentist to make you a new set of dentures with polypropylene as opposed to resins, expect an increase in cost. If price is not an issue but comfort and quality are, ask your dentist which material will work best for you.
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