Missing and damaged teeth can be a major confidence killer for a lot of people, discouraging them from wanting to show off their smiles. There are a variety of reasons that tooth loss and damage can occur. Infection or trauma caused by an accident resulting in tooth removal are among some of the most common causes for tooth loss and damage. Whatever the reason for your tooth loss or damage is, dental bridges and crowns are a sensible and affordable solution that can help restore the appearance and quality of your smile.
In this article, we’ll explain what dental bridges are, what the procedure entails, and how much you can expect to pay.
What Are Dental Bridges?
Depending on the circumstances, dental bridges can serve one of two main functions. As the name suggests, they can be used to literally bridge the gap caused by one or multiple missing teeth. Moreover, dental bridges can also be applied to damaged tooth structures that require a little extra functional support, to create a uniform dental appearance and prevent infection from occurring.
Dental bridges consist of two main components:
- Abutments, which are used to secure the dental appliance in place; and
- A pontic, which is a fake tooth used to fill in the hole left behind by the missing tooth.
Beyond improving the aesthetic appearance of your smile, dental bridges can also boost and preserve your overall oral health. Gaps in your teeth leave your gums exposed to bacterial infection. Dental bridges protect the gums and help stave off exposure to harmful bacteria by essentially replacing missing teeth and strengthening damaged ones. Additionally, dental bridges improve your ability to chew food and reduce or eliminate sensitivity and discomfort entirely.
What Does the Process of Dental Bridge Placement Entail?
The application process for dental bridges is extremely precise. On its face, the procedure itself is fairly simple. Of course, complications can arise based on a few case-specific factors. Your dentist will start by carefully examining your entire oral and dental cavity to identify any infections, damages and irregularities. Any dental issues they discover need to be appropriately treated before the dental bridge placement procedure can begin.
Once any existing dental issues are resolved, your dentist will take a few x-rays of the inside of your mouth. This will give them a good idea of what the most appropriate dental care treatment options are for your specific condition.
Dental bridge placement starts with shaving down or reshaping the teeth on both sides of the gap so that they can support the incoming crown or abutment. Next, your dentist will make a mould of the affected area. Once the mould is allowed to dry and fully set, it’s sent to the lab where the dental bridge is made. Your dentist will schedule an appointment for a bridge fitting to ensure that the structure fits securely and comfortably in your mouth. The bridge will be secured in place with a strong dental-grade bonding cement to prevent it from shifting or getting damaged.
Also Read: Everything You Need to Know about Dental Bridges
How Much Do Dental Bridges in Etobicoke Cost?
Dental bridge costs can vary in Canada between about $500 to $1,500 per tooth depending on a number of factors.
Dental insurance in Canada is typically provided by employers. Some employers pay a minimum of 50% or more with certain exceptions.
Other cost considerations include whether any accompanying procedures such as tooth extraction are required, the extent of preparation required for the dental bridge, your dentist’s location, and the types of materials used.
What Factors Influence the Cost of a Dental Bridge?
There are a number of factors that can determine the cost of a dental bridge in Canada. These include the following.
Type of Bridge
Maryland or resin bonded bridges rely on a composite cement for long-term structural support This is a minimally invasive dental bridge application procedure that’s designed to retain as much tooth tissue as possible. It can cost anywhere between $600 and $900 per retainer and an additional $200 to $400 per pontic. Lab fees are also taken into consideration and that can run anywhere from $1,600 to $2,400.
Dental supported bridges rely on some structural assistance of the surrounding teeth. Costs range from almost $4,000 to $20,000 depending on the complexity of the procedure and whether or not a partial or complete bridge is needed.
Materials Used
A variety of materials can be used for dental bridges. Gold and alloy are among the most expensive materials, but they also give more of an artificial appearance and may attract unwanted attention to the missing tooth area.
Porcelain or a composite resin is arguably the better choice for dental bridge material because it’s more durable, natural, and flexible enough to perfectly impersonate the functionality and appearance of your original teeth.
Complexity of the Procedure
Lastly, the condition of your surrounding abutment teeth and your oral health in general can greatly impact the cost of getting dental bridges placed. The size of the tooth gap determines the number of false teeth required to fill it and this will also understandably drive up the costs. After carefully inspecting the condition of your oral cavity, your dentist should be able to give you a detailed rundown of all of the work that needs to be done along with an estimate before any work is started.
Also Read: How to Take Care of a Dental Bridge
Dental Services in Etobicoke
At Princeview Dental Group, we understand that not all of our patients have the financial means or access to insurance with full dental coverage from their employers to cover their dental care treatment costs. That’s why we offer extensive and customizable dental care payment plans in Toronto and the GTA that allow our patients to pay their dental bills for such treatments as dental crown, pontics, and bridges in reasonable installments. Contact us today to learn more or if you need a dental bridge.
