Medically reviewed by Dr. Sam Wood
A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth to the natural teeth or implants on either side of the gap. A traditional three-unit bridge, two crowns with a false tooth between them, costs $2,000 to $5,000 in the US, takes two visits over two to three weeks, and lasts 10 to 15 years. Bridges are faster and cheaper than implants and need no surgery, but they require reshaping the healthy neighboring teeth and do not stop bone loss under the gap.
How a bridge works
A bridge has two parts: abutments, the supporting teeth on each side of the gap, which are crowned; and pontics, the false teeth suspended between them. The whole thing is one piece, cemented permanently onto the prepared abutment teeth. You cannot remove it; it is cleaned in place.
Because the abutment teeth carry the load of the missing tooth as well as their own, they need to be healthy, with sound roots and bone. A bridge is a good use of neighboring teeth that already have large fillings or crowns; it is a poor use of pristine, untouched teeth, which is the main argument for an implant in that situation.
Types of dental bridges
| Type | How it is supported | Best for | Typical US cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional | Crowns on the teeth both sides of the gap | One to three missing teeth with strong teeth on both sides | $2,000 – $5,000 (3 units) |
| Cantilever | A crown on one side only | A gap with a tooth on only one side; front of the mouth, low bite force | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Maryland (resin-bonded) | Metal or ceramic wings bonded to the backs of adjacent teeth; minimal drilling | A single missing front tooth; young patients | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Implant-supported | Crowns on two implants | Three or more missing teeth in a row; no suitable natural abutments | $5,000 – $16,000 |
A Maryland bridge is conservative and reversible but debonds more often and is not strong enough for back teeth. A cantilever bridge puts tipping forces on its single support and is used sparingly. Implant-supported bridges are covered under dental implants.
What a dental bridge costs
A bridge is priced per unit: each crown and each pontic is one unit. A single missing tooth needs a three-unit bridge; two missing teeth in a row need four units.
| Item | Typical US cost |
|---|---|
| Per unit, porcelain-fused-to-metal | $700 – $1,500 |
| Per unit, all-ceramic or zirconia | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| 3-unit bridge, total | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| 4-unit bridge, total | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Maryland bridge | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Exam, X-rays, temporaries | Usually included; ask |
Dental insurance typically covers bridges as a major service at 50 percent after the deductible, up to the annual maximum, and often only if the tooth was lost while you were covered (a “missing tooth clause” excludes teeth lost before enrollment). Because a bridge frequently costs more than the annual maximum, some patients time the two visits across a year boundary to use two years of benefits; ask the office if this is possible.
Bridge vs. implant
| Dental bridge | Dental implant | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (single tooth) | $2,000 – $5,000 | $3,000 – $6,500 |
| Time | 2 – 3 weeks | 3 – 9 months |
| Surgery | None | Yes |
| Effect on neighboring teeth | Crowned (enamel removed) | Untouched |
| Bone under the gap | Continues to shrink | Preserved |
| Lifespan | 10 – 15 years | 20+ years (crown 10 – 15) |
| Cleaning | Floss threaders under the pontic | Like a natural tooth |
| Insurance | Often 50% | Often excluded |
The implant is generally the better long-term choice for a single missing tooth with healthy neighbors. The bridge wins when the neighboring teeth already need crowns, when there is not enough bone for an implant and grafting is not wanted, when surgery is not advisable, when time matters, or when insurance covers the bridge but not the implant.
The procedure
Visit one (1 to 2 hours). Under local anesthetic, the abutment teeth are reshaped, reduced on all sides, to make room for the crowns. An impression or scan is taken and the shade chosen. A temporary bridge, usually acrylic, is cemented on.
Lab (2 to 3 weeks). The bridge is fabricated.
Visit two (30 to 60 minutes). The temporary is removed, the bridge is tried in, and fit, contacts, and bite are adjusted. It is then cemented permanently. Some offices use temporary cement first for a week or two to confirm comfort before final cementation.
Mild sensitivity in the abutment teeth for a few days to a couple of weeks is normal. The abutment teeth occasionally develop nerve problems later and need a root canal through the crown, which is possible without removing the bridge.
How long a bridge lasts and why they fail
A well-made bridge on healthy abutments lasts 10 to 15 years, often longer. The common reasons for failure:
- Decay on an abutment tooth at the crown margin. This is the leading cause, and it happens because the area under and around the bridge is harder to clean.
- Abutment tooth failure: the supporting tooth fractures or its root or bone gives way under the extra load.
- Loss of cement seal, letting bacteria in.
- Porcelain chipping, especially in grinders.
Cleaning a bridge
You cannot floss between the units. Instead, clean under the pontic daily with a floss threader, superfloss (floss with a stiff end), an interdental brush, or a water flosser. Brush the gum line around the abutment crowns carefully. Have the bridge checked at every six-month visit.
When to see a dentist
See a dentist if you have a missing tooth; the sooner it is replaced, the less the neighboring teeth drift and the more options remain. See a dentist promptly if a bridge feels loose, if an abutment tooth becomes sensitive or painful, if the gum under or around the bridge is red, swollen, or bleeds, if food packs persistently under the pontic, or if the porcelain chips. A bridge that has come off can often be re-cemented if you keep it and act quickly; do not try to glue it yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental bridge cost?
A traditional three-unit bridge costs $2,000 to $5,000 in the US, depending on material and location. Insurance typically covers half as a major service, subject to the annual maximum.
How long does a dental bridge last?
Ten to fifteen years on average, and longer with excellent hygiene. Decay on the supporting teeth is the main reason bridges eventually need replacing.
Is a bridge better than an implant?
For a single tooth with healthy neighbors, an implant is usually the better long-term choice: it preserves the adjacent teeth and the bone. A bridge is better when the neighboring teeth already need crowns, when surgery is not an option, or when speed or insurance coverage matters.
Does getting a bridge hurt?
The preparation is done under local anesthetic and is not painful. Some sensitivity in the prepared teeth for a few days to a few weeks afterward is common.
Can a bridge be removed?
Not by you. A permanently cemented bridge is removed by a dentist, usually by cutting it off, when it needs replacement. It cannot be taken out for cleaning.
How do you floss a bridge?
With a floss threader or superfloss passed under the false tooth, an interdental brush, or a water flosser. Cleaning under the pontic daily is what keeps the supporting teeth from decaying.
Sources
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy) – Bridges
- Cleveland Clinic – Dental bridges
- American College of Prosthodontists – Bridges
- Mayo Clinic – Dental implant surgery
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed dentist about your specific situation.