Maintaining your oral health is essential for living a healthy life. If you are an Australian and have missing teeth that need replacement, you may have come across dental bridges. You’re probably wondering what a dental bridge is and how it’s different from other treatments like porcelain crowns. Dentists recommend dental bridges as a way to restore missing teeth and maintain dental health. If you have lost one or more of your natural teeth, dental bridges can help fill the gap.
Dental bridges are an investment in your smile and can be a great way to replace missing teeth. However, many people don’t know how much the dental bridge costs and what they’re getting themselves into before fitting it. This blog post will break down the cost of dental bridges, whether you’re looking for an affordable option or want to know what’s involved in getting a dental bridge.
What are Dental Bridges?

A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth with a fixed prosthesis. This procedure involves placing a tooth-shaped artificial tooth crown between two natural teeth. However, it can also be performed on a single tooth. An implant could also be used to support the crown. They are durable and can withstand the pressure involved in chewing and biting.
Pontics, or artificial teeth, may be made from gold, metal alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. The lifespan of a bridge typically ranges from ten to fifteen years, but it may vary depending on what you eat and how your oral hygiene habits change over time.
Types of Bridges
Every type of dental bridge is used for a specific purpose. Essentially, they are used to replace a missing tooth, but they each have unique characteristics that make them ideal for some instances.
A traditional dental bridge
With traditional dental bridges, a false tooth or teeth are attached to anchoring teeth using dental crowns. It is the most common type of bridge used when there are healthy teeth on both sides of the gap caused by an extracted tooth.
Before the bridge can be attached, both permanent teeth on both sides of the gap will need to be reshaped and fitted with crowns. They need to be healthy and strong enough to support your new crown.
Cantilever Dental Bridge
Unlike conventional bridges, a cantilever bridge’s pontic is supported by a dental crown attached to a single abutment tooth. Whenever a cantilever bridge is used, only one natural tooth surrounding the gap is required.
The procedure is seldom used nowadays, and it is not recommended to be used in the back of the mouth, where it might put too much strain on neighbouring teeth and damage them.
Maryland Dental Bridge
In many cases, this is used to replace front teeth. Like a conventional bridge, the Maryland dental bridge procedure also uses two natural abutment teeth on each side of the gap. In contrast to traditional fixed bridges, it does not require any tooth structure removal on the adjacent teeth or cover them with crowns, making it a more conservative option. Maryland bridges consist of a metal framework or porcelain framework attached to the backs of both abutment teeth.
Implant-Supported Dental Bridge
Bridges supported by implants are usually more durable than the ones supported by frames or crowns. In order to maintain the bridge, one implant is generally placed for each missing tooth. A bridge may be composed of two implant-supported crowns connected by a pontic if it is impossible to replace every missing tooth with an implant.
An implant-supported bridge is the most long-lasting and sturdy bridge type. It requires two procedures: implanting the artificial tooth root in the jawbone and attaching the bridge to the titanium pole. The dental procedure and healing time may take a couple of months to complete.
The implant-supported dental bridge might also be utilised to prevent bone loss in the jawbone due to tooth extraction or trauma.
The Cost of Dental Bridges

The price of a dental bridge is determined by some common factors, including the materials used in the bridge, the complexity of the procedure, and the number of pontics required. According to data from Australia’s national dental fee survey, a dental bridge can cost up to $1,800 per tooth in 2020.
Cantilever dental bridge:
Full Crown – Veneered – Indirect – \$1529 – \$1760
Bridge Pontic – Indirect – Per Pontic – $1206 – $1570
3 unit bridge / Traditional bridge:
Full crown – veneered – indirect (per tooth) – \$1534.66
Bridge pontic – indirect (per missing tooth) – $1207.58
Maryland’s Bridge with wings:
Bridge pontic – Indirect – per pontic – $1207.58
Retainer for the bonded fixture – indirect. (per tooth) – $150
Implant-supported bridge:
Bridge Pontic – Indirect (Per Pontic) – $1117 – $1783
Fitting of implant-abutment (per abutment) – $1620 – $2656
Full crown attached to osseointegrated implant – veneered – indirect – $3469 – $5000
- Bonded Bridge – Direct-Anterior Teeth – $261.03 (Provisional bridge pontic – per pontic)
- Bonded Bridge – Posterior Teeth – $261.03 (Provisional bridge pontic – per pontic, direct, per missing tooth)
Who Needs A Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge can be used to restore the appearance of a person who has lost one or more teeth due to severe tooth decay, gum disease, or an accident. Decay, gum disease, and trauma are the most common causes of tooth loss. A dental bridge might be used to restore the usefulness of teeth that have been destroyed due to failing health or an accident. This therapy is available to those who have suffered damage or infection of their teeth that has necessitated root canal therapies or dental fillings but not enough to restore the teeth.
You may have had a hereditary condition that caused you to lose your teeth. However, in order to attach a bridge, it’s necessary to have healthy teeth on both sides of the gap.
Alternatives to Dental Bridges
Dental implants and partial dentures may be an alternative to dental bridges or can complement them.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is your best option if you have any missing teeth, whether because of tooth erosion or gum disease. Dental implants are quickly replacing bridges as they become more affordable and available across the world. These prosthetic teeth are made of titanium and will be implanted into your jawbone during a surgical procedure, allowing them to function like natural teeth firmly planted in your mouth.
However, not every person is a good candidate for this sort of treatment. If the patient does not have enough jaw bone to support the metal post, additional operations such as bone grafting must be done before the implants may be placed in their mouth.
Partial Dentures
Dental prosthetic replacements, such as dentures, are used to restore teeth and provide a viable option for individuals who have lost many natural teeth. A removable denture is often the most suitable choice for lost teeth, mainly because they are inexpensive. On the other hand, modern dentures may not feel like your real teeth, but they look natural and can help you smile again.
On the other hand, these prosthetic replacements have several disadvantages: discomfort while eating since the denture does not fit perfectly and stiffness in chewing food causing esophagitis (esophageal inflammation) or stomach pains.
Final Thoughts
With so many different dental treatments on offer, it can be hard to determine which one is best for you. Dental bridges are among the most common procedures for replacing missing teeth. Unlike dental implants, they don’t require any invasive surgical procedures, making them a popular option for many people with tooth loss.
Dental bridges are a cost-effective way to repair teeth that have been lost. At Byford Smiles, we’re committed to helping our patients achieve the brighter smile they deserve. We understand that oral care is an investment and therefore offer highly competitive rates for all of our services, including bridges that are available on request. Our experienced dentists will work with you to find a solution tailored specifically to your needs. To learn more about how we can help or if you have questions, you may visit our dental clinic or contact us today at 08 9532 0247.