Missing teeth? Find your dental bridge here.
Replace a missing tooth or teeth affordably with a dental bridge—often covered by insurance. Visit Aspen Dental today for your dental bridge options.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge can be your quickest, minimally invasive and lowest cost option to replace one or more missing teeth.
With fully personalized tooth shapes and shades, you’ll get a natural-looking smile.
In addition to providing oral health and aesthetic benefits, bridges can help with chewing, speaking clearly and realigning shifted teeth. See how it works.
How much does a dental bridge cost?
A dental bridge is one of the best options for tooth replacement. Dental insurance often covers part of the cost.
We go a step further, working with you to help make them even more affordable with options like dental financing or our Aspen Dental Savings Plan.
Explore what affects the cost of dental bridges.
How long does it take to get a dental bridge?
You may be able to get a dental bridge in as few as two visits. Here’s an overview of the steps we may take during a traditional dental bridge procedure to make your smile complete.
Consultation
Starting with an initial consultation to assess your teeth, we’ll create a personalized care plan for you.
Digital scan
We’ll make an impression (digital scan) of your teeth to craft a custom bridge to fit your smile.
Temporary bridge
A temporary bridge is placed to protect your teeth while your permanent dental bridge is made.
Permanent bridge
Once completed, your permanent or final bridge is secured with dental cement after it’s fitted.
Dental bridges vs. dental implants
“I lost a tooth, now what?”
Talk to your Aspen Dental care team about the best replacement option for you. Whether it’s a dental bridge or dental implants, both options can protect your surrounding teeth from shifting and minimize future problems.
More ways to complete your natural smile
If you’re filling in gaps and don’t think a dental bridge is right for you, consider these other options.
Dental bridges just got more affordable
No insurance? No worries. Sign up today for our exclusive savings and pay only $39 per year to get dental care discounts—including 20% off dental bridges.
What types of dental bridges are there?
Still deciding if a dental bridge is right for you? Explore your options based on where your missing tooth is, how many missing teeth you have and your overall oral health.
Traditional, fixed bridge
A collection of dental crowns (retainer teeth) and pontics (artificial teeth) that take the place of your missing teeth.
Cantilever bridge
Not as strong as a fixed bridge, but sometimes used to fill gaps closer to the front of the mouth.
Maryland bridge
Used as a temporary fix, like when an implant is healing, or when dental issues require a less invasive option.
Implant-supported bridge
The preferred solution when multiple teeth in a row are missing. Surgically implanted for a long-lasting solution.
Real patients, real stories
Hear from patients like you about their Aspen Dental experience.
Dental bridge FAQs
How much is a dental bridge?
On average, Aspen Dental patients pay $4,199² for a dental bridge. Because your smile is unique, so is the cost of your dental bridge, which can vary depending on:
The type of dental bridge you need
Materials used such as porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys or zirconia
Any additional procedure you may need such as a tooth extraction, gum treatment, bone grafting, root canal, core build up or posts
It's essential to consult with your local Aspen Dental care team for a personalized treatment plan and cost estimate based on your specific dental needs and preferences.
²Price displayed is average price paid by patients nationwide for selected service.
How much does a dental bridge cost without insurance?
If you don’t have insurance, no worries. At Aspen Dental, we believe great dental care should be accessible for everyone. If you’re paying for your dental bridges out of pocket, we’ll help provide support with third-party financing options that may fit your budget. We also offer our flexible Aspen Dental Savings Plan to give you further discounts on dental services.
How long does a dental bridge last?
A dental bridge typically lasts between 5 to 15 years with several factors influencing its longevity.
Your oral hygiene routine
The teeth that support the dental bridge can become weakened by gum disease, which leads to the loss of the bone supporting the teeth. That’s why proper brushing and flossing are essential.
Materials used
Porcelain and ceramic bridges are durable but they can still wear down or chip with time. Bridges made from materials like zirconia are highly resilient and may last longer.
Location of your dental bridge
Bridges in areas with more biting force may experience greater wear and tear.
Regular dental check-ups
With regular checkups that provide hygiene maintenance and early detection of cavities on the abutment teeth, your dentist can address any issues early on.
How painful is a dental bridge?
Overall, modern dental techniques and anesthesia ensure that the experience of getting a dental bridge is as comfortable as possible for patients.
Some patients may experience minor discomfort, sensitivity or tenderness in the gums after the procedure (manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers) that should go away within a few days as your mouth heals.
Before beginning the procedure, your dentist administer’s a local anesthetic to numb the area where the bridge will be placed to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible during the procedure.
How many teeth do you need to hold a bridge?
Choosing between the different types of dental bridges depends on many factors including the number of missing teeth, the health of your remaining teeth and your oral health goals. Overall, a healthy bite (a nearly-full complement of teeth) is important for the longevity of your dental bridge.
With a traditional dental bridge (fixed bridge)
You’ll typically need at least two healthy teeth on either side of the gap where the missing tooth or teeth are located to act as supports for the bridge. Your natural teeth are prepared as supports by shaping them to accommodate the dental crowns that anchor the bridge in place.
When several teeth in a row are missing
With multiple missing teeth longer bridges may be needed, requiring additional healthy teeth to support them.
With an implant-supported bridge
Implant-supported bridges don’t need natural teeth as anchors because implants are surgically placed into the jawbone, serving as stable foundations for the bridge. This is the ideal solution for replacing several missing teeth in a row without affecting adjacent natural teeth.
Are bridges better than implants?
The choice between a bridge and implants depends on factors such as your oral health, missing teeth, adjacent teeth condition and your personal preferences. Both solutions are effective for replacing missing teeth.
Dental bridge pros and cons
Dental bridges can quickly restore your chewing function and aesthetic appearance, are less invasive compared to implants and are usually less expensive upfront.
The downside of dental bridges are that they require the alteration of adjacent healthy teeth. Additional tooth loss could occur in the future if those supporting teeth are not well cared for, requiring further dental treatment.
Dental implant pros and cons
Dental implants provide a stable foundation for a crown, bridge or denture while helping to preserve bone density in your jaw and the integrity of your natural teeth.
However, dental implants require surgery, take longer to heal and are usually more expensive than dental bridges.