Decades ago, if you spent a day in any dental office, there would be plenty of patients coming in to get bridges. A bridge was the premier way to replace a missing tooth. Basically, a bridge attaches to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. It sits above the gumline, giving you a surface to chew on. Over the past decade or so, bridges have become a lot less common as dental implant surgery has become more advanced and approachable. But bridges still exist, and in fact, they still have some benefits for certain patients. Here are those benefits.

Bridges Are Affordable

Dental implants are seen as the premier tooth replacement option in most cases, but unfortunately, they are quite expensive. Dental insurance plans often consider dental implants to be a cosmetic dental appliance, which means they are not always covered. If you're on a limited budget, getting a bridge may be a more feasible option. A bridge costs a small fraction of what you'll generally pay for a dental implant. Plus, some dental insurance plans cover bridges but not implants. If getting an implant is not possible for you financially, getting a bridge may be.

Bridges Don't Require Surgery

Dental implants are long-lasting and durable, but they do need to be surgically implanted. You need to have one more extensive surgery to install the implant screws in your jaw bone. You then need to have a less intensive procedure to attach the crowns to the implanted screws. For some people, the mere idea of dental surgery makes them cringe. You may get anxious just thinking about it. If this is the case for you, then a dental bridge may be a better tooth replacement option. Installing a bridge is a non-surgical procedure that should not cause any pain and does not require sedation.

Bridges Are an Immediate Fix

Some patients are candidates for same-day implants, but even with these single-appointment procedures, there is a recovery period and a time during which you need to eat only certain foods. With bridges, there's no downtime. You have one dental appointment — maybe a second short one depending on your dentist's relationship with the dental lab. You can go back to eating and behaving as usual as soon as the appointment is over.

Dental bridges are no longer the only option for missing teeth, but they are an option, and they are a good option for some. For more information about dental bridges, contact a dentist.