Affordable Alternatives to Dental Bridges

A dental bridge, also known as a tooth bridge, is another alternative to tooth replacement when teeth are missing. Often consisting of crowns and fairly vigorous dental procedures, dental bridges require a substantial commitment. Most procedures require an individual to have the enamel sanded down from the neighboring teeth to support the bridge.

With this in mind, there are four different types of dental bridges depending on the stress that the bridge will take in the bite. For example, stronger and more effective bridges will be needed for areas of high bite force such as molars, but these procedures are a heavier commitment and can be a burden.

What Are They Used For?

Although the obvious answer is within the name, there are several reasons why you may need a dental bridge procedure.

• To restore your smile: With gaps in your smile, and with the surrounding tooth or teeth needing a little TLC, you might feel the bridge will be ideal to restore portions of your smile at a time.
• Maintain the shape of your face: Our jaw and dental profile play a significant role in keeping our face a certain shape. As we grow older, our natural teeth will shift, changing the shape of our faces.
• Protecting your oral health: Bridges will be put into place to ensure that your bite is even. If your bite is uneven, your surrounding natural teeth could suffer.
• Alternative to dental implants: Many people find the dental implant procedure too extreme and too costly. A bridge provides an alternative solution whilst avoiding the hefty costs and dental work.

Types of Dental Bridge

Traditional Bridges

One of the more effective bridges in regards to molars and areas of the arch with high bite force. The enamel will be removed from the natural tooth to make room for a crown which will be cemented over the top. This is a permanent decision as the crown will be needed for life to protect the tooth. Each tooth on either side of the gap will be required to undergo this procedure. This will ensure that the false tooth can be supported by the adjacent teeth when resting on the gum.

Cantilever Bridges

Much like traditional bridges, the tooth will have to undergo an enamel removal procedure to make way for a crown. With the cantilever bridge, only one tooth will need to be stripped of enamel and crowned, however, this bridge can cause as many problems as it can solve. Such problems include cracks and fractures which can eventually lead to more trips to the dentist.

Maryland Bridges

This dental bridge is a very stripped-down and weaker version of the traditional bridge, however, it does not require as much dental commitment. The new tooth will latch onto the neighboring teeth via melted metal or porcelain. Although this procedure is less permanent, it is much weaker than other bridges and shouldn’t be used for areas with high bite force.

What Is the Procedure?

Although bridges are fairly common in the world of oral health, the procedure itself can be unknown to many.

A dental bridge procedure isn’t as black and white as some other dental procedures and each patient may find themselves needing a different type of dental procedure. However, all dental bridges start with hefty dental preparations.

Bearing in mind that your dental bridge requires a crown to be fitted onto the surrounding natural teeth in order to support a dental bridge, you will need to undergo the typical crown procedure.

To enable your tooth to host a dental crown, your dental care professional will need to sand your natural tooth down significantly, shaping it to host a laboratory-crafted crown. With this in mind, you could be facing hefty and numerous dental procedures before you receive your bridge.

If the tooth decay of your surrounding teeth is too severe and would not be able to support a bridge, the next best solution would be to have a dental implant procedure that would provide more strength to your bridge.

Dental implant surgery is an extremely vigorous treatment that requires several dental visits. After a possible tooth extraction, the implant surgery starts with a screw being drilled into the jaw bone underneath the gum line. This screw then protrudes through the gum line where a false tooth can become the base structure for your new dental bridge.

What’s the Alternative?

Snap-on veneers are the perfect alternative if you don’t want to undergo the dental bridge procedure. It’s not only cheaper, but equally as effective, providing a full and healthy smile.

Here’s What You Need to Know

The Cost

The weight of a dental bridge cost can be a heavy burden as often additional procedures are needed on top of any other pre/post-check-up charges.

In the US, you’re looking at spending between $4,100 and $9,650, depending on the type of bridge you choose and what additional dental work is required prior.

In comparison, snap-on veneers will only cost between $500 and $750 depending on whether you choose our Classic or Dynamic design, and if you require the top or bottom set, or both.

What Can Snap-On Veneers Cover?

What can’t they cover?

The instasmile solution is an effective way of disguising cracked, chipped, and discolored teeth in a way that bridges can’t.

You can cover years’ worth of staining and general dental insecurity with a snap-on veneer, giving you newfound confidence.

The Commitment

With our snap-on veneers, you do not have to commit to any vigorous dental procedures that shave away your enamel. No permanent commitments. No hefty costs. No trips to the dentist.

Use our platinum veneer for day-to-day use, or use our classic for those special occasions on your calendar.

No Dental Visits

We have an online smile assessment process and at-home impressions kit to make things as simple and fuss-free as possible.

You don’t have to make any trips to the dentist or undergo preparatory surgery.

So, What Are You Waiting For?

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