As much as we don't like to think about it, our physical appearances influences the way we live and how people relate to us. You can have the prettiest eyes or perfect hair but nothing compares to having a great smile that not only single-handedly dazzles the people around you but also helps them create a positive impression of you that they'll always remember. But what if you can't even smile for fear that people will see the gaps between your teeth?
These days, gaps between your teeth are something that can be easily remedied, along with other common teeth problems like discoloration or misalignment and even teeth that are chipped, broken or worn down. A common solution people seek for gaps between their teeth are dental bridges, which usually come in three types: traditional, cantilever and Maryland bonded.
Dental bridges can restore your once-dazzling smile, as well as your ability to chew and speak. It also helps maintain the shape of your face, but more importantly, it helps distribute the force of your bite properly by replacing missing teeth and prevents your remaining teeth from drifting out of position. Traditional bridges usually involve creating a crown for the tooth or implant on either side of the missing tooth with a pontic in between. They are the most common type of bridges people go for and are usually made from either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
Cantilever bridges on the other hand, are used when there are adjacent teeth only on one side of the missing tooth or teeth while Maryland bonded bridges are made of plastic teeth and gums supported by a metal framework, with metal wings on each side of the bridge bonded to your existing teeth. While people will usually have no problem choosing which type is best for them, the main concern they have is the cost of the dental bridges themselves and if they are able to afford them despite moderate finances or budget constraints.
To start, the cost of dental bridges will depend on what type of bridge is selected and where you want to get the procedure done. Bridges are usually priced by crown so a bridge of three crowns will cost about the same as three regular crowns. A traditional three-tooth bridge will cost around $3300 with the cost depending on what material your crowns are made of and how they are fabricated. There are also the lab fees to consider, which range between $100 to $300 at the most.
Some dentist office these days fabricate the crowns in their office using CAD/CAM technology which allows for same-day placement of your bridges, saving you an extra visit but it can also add to the costs so you will need to discuss all fees with your dentist before going ahead with the procedure. Some other factors that can influence the cost of dental bridges include the possibility of other procedures needing to be done like fillings or root canals and the coverage provided by your dental insurance, most of which cover a substantial part of the procedure.
To be able to afford the treatment, you can check out online dental clinics, most of whom are able to offer interest-free plans or extended payment options. You can also try checking out third-party financing companies who can help you work out a monthly payment scheme that fits your budget.