Does dental insurance cover dental bridges?

Dental insurance helps cover the cost of dental bridges since these are considered medically necessary. Many dental plans help cover major services such as bridges. However, some plans, like Aflac dental insurance, can offer more coverage after being a policyholder for a few years.

How Much Do Dental Bridges Cost With and Without Insurance

How Much Do Dental Bridges Cost With and Without Insurance?

Dental bridges can be the most common ways dentists replace weak or missing teeth. However, bridges can be expensive since they are generally considered a major procedure. Luckily, Aflac’s primary dental insurance for individuals and families can help cover this cost. Additionally, our supplemental dental insurance can help cover expenses not covered by your primary insurance plan. Below, we'll explain how dental bridges work and how much they cost with and without insurance.

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Key Takeaways

The cost of dental bridges without insurance can range from $1,041 for a cantilever bridge to $5,197 for a traditional bridge.¹
With dental insurance that offers 70% coverage for bridges, you may pay anywhere from $312.30 for a cantilever bridge to $1,559.10 for a traditional bridge.
Aflac’s primary dental insurance for individuals and families can help cover the cost of dental work, while our supplemental dental insurance can help cover additional costs your primary insurance plan doesn’t cover.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is an oral device that replaces a missing tooth. It bridges the gap between teeth by connecting to them and filling in the gap. It consists of several pieces:²

Abutment: Surrounding teeth used to support the bridge

Pontics: Devices that fill the gap the missing teeth leave behind, restoring natural function

Crowns: These sit on top of the natural teeth on either side of the bridged gap

Bridges may consist of one or more abutments and pontics, depending on your situation.

Types of dental bridges

Several types of dental bridges exist to suit different patients and specific situations:²

Traditional bridge: A traditional bridge consists of crowns on the abutment teeth on both ends of the pontics. These are the most common types used for dental procedures.
Cantilever bridge: A cantilever bridge is like a traditional bridge, but it only places a crown on one side of the gap. It’s less strong than a traditional bridge since only one tooth supports it.
Maryland bridge: A Maryland bridge, also called a resin-bonded bridge, uses metal or porcelain wings instead of crowns to connect the pontic to the abutment teeth. They can be weaker than traditional bridges and may be used for front teeth.
Implant-supported bridge: An implant-supported bridge is similar to a traditional bridge, but uses dental implants to support the pontic instead of surrounding abutment teeth. Implant-supported bridges are stronger but can cost the most since dental implants are one of the most expensive procedures.³

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How much do dental bridges cost without insurance?

Each bridge type we discussed may cost a different amount. Here are some average costs and ranges for each type without insurance:¹

Bridge Type	Average Cost
Traditional Bridge	$5,197
Cantilever Bridge	$1,041
Maryland Bridge	$1,569
Implant-Supported Bridge	$5,195

Factors that can impact the cost of dental bridges

Several factors impact the cost of your dental bridges:⁴

Bridge type

As laid out above, bridge types vary in cost, with cantilever and Maryland bridges often costing less and traditional bridges and implant-supported bridges costing more.

Material used

The materials used to make the bridge can significantly impact the cost. Many patients may prefer porcelain since it mimics the look of natural teeth. However, porcelain tends to be more expensive than other materials. Meanwhile, metal alloys tend to be more budget friendly, but they also don't mimic the natural look of teeth as much.

Number of missing teeth

A larger number of missing teeth can increase the cost of dental bridge procedures. You'll need more bridges to fill in more missing teeth, which costs more. Plus, it can make the procedure more complex, increasing costs. This is especially true for multiple teeth in a row. In that case, you may need an implant-supported bridge.

Required work on support teeth

The work required to prepare the surrounding teeth for the bridge can impact costs. Here are some other services you may need for a dental bridge procedure:⁴

Service	Average Price Range
Oral exam	$50 to $200
Dental X-rays	$25 to $50
Tooth extraction	$50 to $500
Local anesthesia	$40 to $150
Professional cleaning	$70 to $250

Does dental insurance help cover dental bridges?

Dental insurance can help cover the cost of most major dental services since these are considered medically necessary. Many types of dental insurance, such as Aflac’s primary dental insurance plans, help cover major services. Additionally, our primary plans can offer more coverage after being a policyholder for a few years.

If you want additional coverage for expenses your primary dental insurance plan doesn’t offer, Aflac offers supplemental dental insurance for individuals and families. We also offer Dental, Vision and Hearing (DVH) Insurance that can give you three types of coverage in one comprehensive plan.

How much do dental bridges cost with insurance?

Here are some examples of estimated costs with and without insurance for the four types of dental bridges, assuming no deductible or annual maximum:¹

Bridge Type	Average Cost Without Insurance	Estimated Cost With 50% Insurance Coverage	Estimated Cost With 70% Insurance Coverage
Traditional Bridge	$5,197	$2,598.50	$1,559.10
Cantilever Bridge	$1,041	$520.50	$312.30
Maryland Bridge	$1,569	$784.50	$470.70
Implant-Supported Bridge	$5,195	$2,597.50	$1,558.50

Keep in mind your insurance plan may have deductibles and annual maximums. This table does not account for these items.

Aflac dental insurance can help cover dental bridges

Although bridges can be costly, they can help prevent more expensive and complex problems from arising. Aflac’s primary dental insurance plans can help reduce the cost for major dental services and to put the care you need within reach. Additionally, consider our supplemental dental insurance for additional dental care expenses, and DVH Insurance for dental, vision and hearing coverage in one plan. You can purchase all of these types of plans directly from Aflac. Speak with an agent today to learn more and get a quote.

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