Dental Bridges Cost in the UK

Dental Bridges Cost in the UK

28th January 2021

A recent study conducted on adults in England shows that more than a quarter of participants suffered from untreated tooth decay. Yet another study on 1,000 UK patients shows that 71% of participants have dental anxiety. Let us help you with that. Read on as we explain all you need to know about dental bridges, one of the most common solutions for replacing a lost tooth.

What Is A Dental Bridge?

Although increasingly traditional, dental bridges aren’t as popular as tooth extractions or root canals. A dental bridge is an artificial replacement for a missing tooth. The teeth on either side of the missing tooth (abutment teeth) act as anchors for holding the false tooth (pontic) in place.

How Does A Dental Bridge Look?

Your choice of bridge decides its exact look. Here’s the good news: it’s not hard to make a bridge look like a real tooth. With advancements in solutions and materials, your bridge can be the most natural-looking and seamless.

When Should You Get A Dental Bridge?

There can be many unfortunate incidents leading to a missing tooth. Some of them are:
● irreparable tooth damage due to accident or injury,
● extraction of a decayed tooth, and
● damage due to periodontal disease.
If left empty, the hole from the missing tooth can shift the other teeth and bone. You needn’t fret, as a dental bridge is a cheap option to cover it. It is especially suitable for younger mouths, which are still shifting and growing.
However, a dental bridge is a viable treatment option only if the teeth adjacent to the gap are healthy.

Types of Dental Bridges

Are you a prime candidate for this procedure? If yes, you should know the various options available. This will help you better appreciate your dentist’s recommendation. These are the types of dental bridges

Traditional Bridge:

These have been the most popular option. Dental crowns installed on teeth adjacent to the hole hold the pontic in place. This type of bridge is strong enough to replace even molars.

One disadvantage is the need to secure the crowns by removing enamel from the natural teeth. Enamel doesn’t grow back. Hence, this decision would be a pretty permanent one.

Cantilever Bridge:

The difference here is that the pontic has support only from one side of the hole. Typically, these come into the picture when there are two or more missing teeth right next to each other.

Understandably, this is less stable than a traditional bridge. The single-sided structure of support might lead to future issues, such as fractured teeth in the area, or a loosened abutment crown.

Maryland Bridge:

The pontic is supported by either a metal arm, or wings, or porcelain. This type of bridge is ideal for adolescents or younger people whose teeth are yet to grow further. It usually replaces front tooth gaps

Materials Used For Dental Bridges

Often, the chosen material is one that combines both aesthetics and strength. Most commonly used are ceramic, metal alloys, acrylic, gold, and porcelain. The dental professional, along with the lab technician, is best suited to make the final decision.
Many people worry about the toxicity of the materials used for their bridges. While the metal in some bridges might cause autoimmunity problems or allergic reactions, most bridges are safe. The safest bet is the ceramic options. We at Natural Smiles encourage transparency. Freely discuss your concerns and options with your dentist.

The Dental Bridge Procedure

First things first, the health of the supporting teeth needs to be assessed. In case you have a tooth extraction scheduled before your bridge, it will take some time for the extraction site to heal. This can take up to 2-3 months.
Once your dentist has decided on the type of bridge, you will proceed to bridge placement. In this, we prepare the abutment teeth for their crowns and remove a small part of their enamel. We then transfer the impressions of the teeth to the dental lab and the permanent bridge is subsequently crafted. You will get temporary protection for your prepared teeth in the meantime.
If you got your missing tooth extracted years ago, your bridge can be prepared in as little as 2-4 weeks. Once the customized bridge is ready, it replaces the temporary bridge if it is the right fit for you. It gets cemented into place while you are under a local anesthetic. The bridge lasts several years.

What Technology Do We Use?

Our advanced technology helps us provide a less invasive procedure and high-quality treatment. We are also able to provide an early diagnosis and affordable care, along with accurate restorations.
Natural Smiles uses CEREC technology to take digital impressions of teeth and precisely carve the ceramic. You can rest assured of a customized bridge. CEREC also reduces the number of visits by combining the entire process into one. Further, our study models ensure your risk of any possible human error through the treatment is all but eliminated.

Advantages And Risks

Following are the benefits of the procedure:
● You can get back to chewing and speaking properly.
● Dental bridges prevent the shifting of your remaining teeth.
● You are at no risk of bone loss due to the missing tooth.
● As the bridges are permanent, they stay fixed in place.
● They reduce your likelihood of developing jaw problems like TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).
● They help you maintain the natural shape of your face and prevent dental decay.
● Dental bridges are affordable.
● The procedure is less invasive and quicker than some alternatives.
There are a few risks associated with the procedure too, which we have mentioned below:
● If the bridge is poorly fitted, it can lead to issues with the abutment teeth, along with allowing bacteria and plaque to creep in. This would lead to the decay of your adjoining teeth. It is thus of prime importance that you get the procedure done from an experienced clinic. Fortunately, Natural Smiles has experts who perform every procedure with the utmost care and precision.
● In case the abutment teeth are not sufficiently strong for the procedure, they might collapse.

The Cost Of Dental Bridges

Our CEREC porcelain inlays start at £605 onwards, while a 3 unit bridge would cost you £1,900 onwards. This excludes the price of x-rays and preliminary study models. If you are a Natural Smiles member, you will get hefty discounts on all procedures.

Have more questions? Book your free consultation right now!