A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring a false tooth to the teeth or implants on either side of the gap. This guide explains the main bridge types, how long a bridge usually lasts, when an implant may be the better option, and what a bridge typically costs in 2026 in the UK, the US and Turkey. It is reference information, not medical advice.
What is a dental bridge?
A bridge is a fixed restoration made of one or more artificial teeth, called pontics, held in place by supports called abutments. The abutments are usually natural teeth prepared for a crown, or dental implants.
Unlike a removable denture, a bridge is cemented in place and is not taken out for cleaning. It restores chewing, speech and appearance, and it helps stop neighbouring teeth from drifting into the gap.
What types of dental bridge are there?
Four designs are in common use. The right choice depends on where the gap is, the health of the neighbouring teeth, and the bone available.
| Type | How it is held | Typical use | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional | Crowns on both neighbouring teeth | Single or multiple gaps with healthy teeth either side | Requires reshaping two healthy teeth |
| Cantilever | Crown on one neighbouring tooth | Gap with a support tooth on one side only | More leverage on a single tooth |
| Maryland (resin-bonded) | Metal or ceramic wings bonded to the back of neighbouring teeth | Front teeth with low bite force | Can debond and need recementing |
| Implant-supported | Dental implants instead of natural teeth | Several missing teeth in a row | Needs surgery and adequate bone |
What materials are dental bridges made from?
Most modern bridges are made from zirconia or porcelain fused to metal. Zirconia is strong and tooth coloured and is often milled with CAD/CAM systems. Lithium disilicate (E.max) is used for shorter front bridges where appearance matters most.
Material choice affects cost, strength and appearance in a similar way to single crowns.
How long does a dental bridge last?
With good hygiene and regular check-ups, a conventional bridge commonly lasts 10 to 15 years, and many last longer. The most frequent causes of failure are decay or gum disease in the supporting teeth, and fracture of the restoration.
Cleaning under the pontic with floss threaders or interdental brushes is important, because food and plaque collect there.
Dental bridge vs implant: which is better?
An implant replaces the root as well as the tooth and does not rely on neighbouring teeth, which is why it is often preferred when those teeth are healthy and enough bone is available.
A bridge can be quicker, needs no surgery and usually costs less up front. It may suit patients who are not candidates for implants, or whose neighbouring teeth already need crowns.
- Bridge: faster (often two visits over one to three weeks), no surgery, but involves reshaping neighbouring teeth.
- Implant: protects neighbouring teeth and bone, but needs surgery and several months of healing.
- Implant-supported bridge: a middle option when three or more teeth in a row are missing.
How much does a dental bridge cost in 2026?
Bridge prices are usually quoted per unit, meaning each crown and each false tooth. A three-unit bridge replacing one missing tooth therefore costs roughly three times the unit price.
| Bridge type | UK (per unit) | US (per unit) | Turkey (per unit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain fused to metal | £450-900 | $800-1,500 | €100-200 |
| Zirconia | £600-1,200 | $1,000-2,000 | €150-300 |
| Maryland bridge (whole bridge) | £500-1,000 | $1,500-2,500 | €250-500 |
| Implant-supported (per implant, excl. crowns) | £2,000-3,000 | $3,000-5,000 | €500-1,000 |
What should you check before getting a bridge abroad?
Because a bridge involves several connected teeth and at least two visits, planning and aftercare matter as much as price.
- Ask for a written treatment plan listing the number of units, the material and the laboratory used.
- Check whether the clinic holds verifiable accreditation and how it documents infection control.
- Confirm how many days the treatment needs and whether a try-in visit is included.
- Ask what warranty applies and how repairs are handled once you are home.