How much does a dental bridge cost privately in the UK?

How much does a dental bridge cost privately in the UK?

Dental bridges can range greatly in price, as there are various types of dental bridges that can be installed, and the bridges can extend from one to four teeth, which can change the price if you have it done in a private practice rather than on the NHS. On the NHS, the pricing is a lot clearer, with all band 3 treatments (including dental bridges) priced at £306.80 for the whole process. However, with private dental treatment, the costs can vary significantly.

Most dental bridges in private practices across the UK will range from £300 to £1000, although some of the more expensive treatments may also include checkups post-installation, and the cheaper options may use cheaper materials that don’t last as long as higher quality ones.

Let’s look at it all in more detail.

What is the process for getting a dental bridge?

Having a dental bridge installed will take more than one appointment, so it’s important to understand the price of the procedure before having it done, so you don’t have any nasty shocks when you go to pay the bill.

Initially, you’ll need a consultation with your dentist to assess the overall health of your mouth and the teeth surrounding the area where the bridge will be installed. This will affect what kind of dental bridge you have installed. You can also express your preference for what kind of bridge you would prefer to have, as some bridges may be more expensive than others.

Once you have decided with your dentist what kind of bridge is best for you, you’ll have an impression taken of your teeth, possibly in a second appointment or during your initial consultation, so they can make the false teeth for the bridge that will fit the shape of your mouth and perfectly fill the gap. They will also assess the colour of your teeth so the bridge can be made to match the exact colour of your teeth; if you’re unhappy with the colour of your teeth, you should investigate teeth whitening procedures, or composite bonding (also known as dental bonding) to fix cracked teeth before having your dental bridge fitted so it can match the shade of your teeth.

Over the short amount of time that you wait for your dental bridge to be created, you’ll have a temporary bridge fitted to ensure that your teeth don’t move, making the dental bridge the wrong shape for your mouth.

The procedure itself

When your dental bridge is ready, you’ll have another appointment with your dentist, who will inject a local anaesthetic into your gum and perhaps also a gel to rub into your gum to numb the area so you don’t feel anything during your procedure. The actual procedure you’ll undergo depends largely on what type of bridge you have installed, but for a traditional dental bridge, you’ll have your healthy teeth on either side of the gap worn down, ready to be cemented for a crown to be installed, which will support the bridge.

Once it’s in place, you’ll bite down to ensure it’s fitted properly and voila! You’ll have a new set of teeth. It will feel strange initially as you’ll have gotten used to having a gap from your missing tooth, but after a short time, you’ll get used to your new tooth, or teeth.

How much does a dental bridge cost?

Dental bridges can vary a lot in price due to the material used, where you have them done, how many teeth are being replaced and whether there are additional treatments involved in the price, such as aftercare. However, generally, in a private dental practice, you can expect to pay anything from £300 to £1000 for your dental bridge.

At the Eye and Dental Clinic, we have three options for dental bridges:

• Porcelain bonded (basic quality) for £650.00.
• Zirconia (intermediate quality) for £690.00.
• Cosmetic (premium quality) for £790.00.

Types of dental bridges

There are four main types of dental bridges, although not every dental clinic will offer them. They may cost different amounts, so check which is your best option before going ahead with your treatment.

Types of dental bridges are:

• Traditional dental bridge – a crown fitted on healthy teeth on either side of the gap.
• Cantilever dental bridge – a crown fitted on a healthy tooth on one side of the gap.
• Maryland dental bridge – a metal wing attached to the back of healthy teeth on either side of the gap.
• Implant-supported bridge – an implant fitted on each end of a large gap from several teeth supporting the bridge.

The health of your teeth is the main consideration when choosing what option is best for you, as some bridges cannot be safely installed on teeth that are at risk of breaking or rotting, and others are better for front teeth than back teeth. Speak to your dentist to learn which is right for you.

Can you have a dental bridge done as an emergency?

Although losing any teeth may feel like it requires urgent dental treatment, unless there is significant damage to your gum or it has been caused by a serious injury, you don’t need to see a dentist urgently over losing a tooth. Furthermore, dental bridge installation takes several appointments, so it cannot be done as emergency dental care.

If you lose a tooth, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible to see whether a dental implant or bridge is the best option for you, or whether you might benefit from other treatments, such as having veneers to improve the overall appearance of your teeth.

Benefits of having a dental bridge

Having a dental bridge installed can give you many benefits, both aesthetic and functional. Aesthetically, having a gap between your teeth can be rather unpleasant and cause people to feel self-conscious about their smile, and even cover their mouth to laugh. Everyone should have the confidence to smile and laugh, so dental bridges are a great way to restore confidence.

Having a gap between your teeth, whether it’s from one, two, three or even more consecutive teeth, can also greatly affect your quality of life. Food can get stuck in the gaps, you might not be able to chew properly, or you may even feel the breeze through your teeth as you talk! But with a dental bridge, you can say goodbye to these inconveniences.

The dental bridge fills the gap and gives you the appearance of having a full, natural set of teeth. Moreover, your teeth can shift even as you get older, so having a gap in your teeth will make your teeth move around and fill the space, causing other gaps to appear, as well as some toothache or jaw pain. By filling the gap as soon as possible with a dental bridge, you can prevent your other teeth from changing their position.

Dental bridges can also last up to 15 years! Having constant dental treatment can be a pain and be costly, so taking good care of your teeth and keeping your dental bridge clean and clear of food residue is important for your dental health and keeping you away from the dentist’s chair for as long as possible.

Book your dental appointment today!

Ready to make an appointment for your dental bridge installation? At Bury’s Eye and Dental Clinic, you can guarantee expert care and dazzling results from all of our dental treatments. Contact us today to find out how we can help you!

Learn more about Eye and Dental Clinic

We have several policies in place to prevent wasted time and resources, so you can check our cancellation policy before you book your appointment for more information if you think you may not be able to attend your appointment. If you’re over 10 minutes late without a valid explanation, or repeatedly late for your appointments, you may also be charged, and we cannot guarantee you’ll be able to see your dentist, as we also allow emergency appointments in our practice to deal with urgent dental needs.

If you want to know more about our practice policies in advance of your appointment, you can check the information provided on our website.

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