Dental Bridges Cost in the UK 2026. What Affects the Price?

Missing teeth is much more than a mere nuisance that affects your looks. This condition affects your smile and the ability to chew as well. The treatment of your missing teeth is vital to restore both your confidence as well as oral health.

A common solution for missing teeth is a dental bridge. This treatment works by anchoring false teeth between natural ones, just like a bridge. But how much does this treatment cost in the UK? And what are some major factors that affect the overall price of dental bridges?

These are some important questions that this blog tries to answer. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.

• What Are Dental Bridges?
• Types of Dental Bridges
• Dental Bridges Cost in the UK: NHS VS Private VS SDS
• Factors That Affect the Costs of Dental Bridges

What Are Dental Bridges?

A dental bridge is an innovative dental restoration method that experts recommend to patients with one or more missing teeth. In this treatment, the artificial teeth rest between two adjacent natural teeth by anchoring them. Two crowns go over the natural teeth. The false teeth are attached to these crowns. The neighboring teeth act just like two bridge columns that support the central artificial teeth.

Here are some basic steps that this procedure involves.

• The dentist examines your teeth with X-rays and digital scans. They also assess the health of the jawbone.
• Then they reshape the teeth on either side of the gap to make space for dental crowns.
• They take digital scans of the teeth to create custom bridges.
• The dental lab ensures the color, shape, size, and bite of the bridge are all in accordance with your teeth.
• Finally, they insert the permanent bridge and make adjustments.

Types of Dental Bridges

The following are 4 common types of dental bridges that you can get in the UK.

Traditional Bridges

In this case, two crowns are anchored to the teeth on either side of the missing teeth. These crowns support the replacement tooth in between. These bridges work well on back molars as well, where they allow your teeth to handle heavy chewing forces. According to a study, the survival rate of conventional dental bridges is approximately 72% at 10 years.

This treatment costs about £5600 in the UK  for a three-unit bridge. 

Cantilever Bridges

This treatment option involves only one anchor tooth instead of two. The false replacement tooth rests over the gap. The anchor tooth supports the replacement tooth from one side.

This treatment option is weaker than traditional bridges. Dentists mostly recommend this treatment for just one or two missing teeth at the front of your mouth, where bite force is not that great. The cost of this treatment is slightly less as there is only one crown involved.

This treatment costs £300 – £1,000 for one unit or tooth.

Maryland Bridges

In this case, dentists do not grind or crown the teeth that are right beside the missing teeth. Instead, they bond metal or porcelain wings to the back of the false teeth. The false tooth attaches to the back of the adjacent teeth with these wings using resin.

This procedure is reversible, and it preserves the original structure of your teeth. Maryland bridges mostly work for front teeth as they lack the strength to handle chewing or biting.

Specialist dental services charge about £800-£2500 for this treatment.

Implant-Supported Bridges

This is another innovative approach where the dentist doesn’t touch the healthy teeth that are adjacent to missing teeth. Instead, they install implants that serve as anchors for the replacement teeth.

First, the dentist surgically places the titanium implants in your jaw. The exact number of implants depends on the number of teeth you are missing. Then they attach abutments to the implants. Finally, they attach a custom-made bridge to fill the gaps with false teeth.

This permanent, stable, and natural-looking procedure is perfect when you need to replace multiple teeth.

This is the most expensive treatment, which costs you about £2,000-£5,000+.

Dental Bridges Cost in the UK: NHS VS Private VS SDS

NHS Dental Bridges

According to Wikipedia, the cost of a dental bridge in the UK under the NHS is about £326.70 per course of treatment. Patients who are eligible for NHS dental care can get this service under band 3 treatment. However, in this case, you have to go through long waiting lists. Limited bridge material and bridge type availability also make it a less effective option.

Private Dental Bridges

A report by Clinic Hunter reveals that private practices typically charge roughly £700–£1,900+ per unit for this treatment, which is significantly more than NHS costs. Some clinics charge for individual bridge units at £600 – £800 per unit.

• Traditional 3-unit bridges cost you about £350 – £1,000.
• The cost for a Full Arch Implant Bridge (per arch) is over £25,000.
• Implant-supported bridges cost £3,500 upwards for one unit.

SDS Dental Bridges

With the NHS the dental bridge failure risks are very high. This means you might have to redo the whole procedure which leads to more costs. On the other hand, most private practices cost more than £25,000 for the placement of a full arch implant bridge.

However, with SDS you can get a 3-unit bridge for just about £5600. In case you need a full one Arch Implant Bridge, you can get it for £17,510 to £20,220. The treatment with the SDS comes at a lower price with high long-term success rates. This makes it the most affordable option among the three.

Factors That Affect the Costs of Dental Bridges

Here are some major factors that affect the price of dental bridges in the UK.

1. Type of Bridge

The most important factor of all is the type of bridge you need. The type of bridge you need affects the complexity, and that drives the overall costs of this procedure.

2. Material Quality

The appearance as well as the durability of dental bridges rely heavily on the material type. Here are some options you can consider.

• You can go with metal bridges that tend to be cheaper but less aesthetic.
• Porcelain-infused metal bridges give you a seamless balance between strength and aesthetics.
• You can go with all-ceramic or Zirconia bridges to get a natural look. This bridge material is the most expensive due to its high durability.

3. Number of Teeth

The cost of the overall dental bridge is directly proportional to the number of teeth you require. 

• A 3-unit bridge costs from £5600
• Full Arch Implant Bridge (per arch) from £17,510 to £20,220

To cover more missing teeth, more lab and dental work is needed, which increases the price of the treatment.

4. Location

Dental fees vary across the UK based on the clinic’s location. Clinics in major cities like London charge more than practices in rural areas. This difference results from higher rents, staff wages, and demand for dental services in bigger cities.

5. Dentist Expertise

Experienced dentists promise better treatment success rates. They use advanced methods as well as specialized skills and tools to ensure better aesthetics as well as dental health. This is why such dentists tend to charge more.

6. Additional Dental Work

There are some cases where the dentist has to perform extra procedures before they can start the dental bridge treatment. The cost of these extra procedures adds to the overall costs of the bridges.

These procedures may include.

• Tooth extractions
• X-rays, impressions, CT scans
• Root canal treatments
• Root canal treatments
• Gum therapy

7. NHS vs Private Treatment vs SDS

The cost of NHS dental implants can be up to a few hundred pounds. However, the NHS offers minimal treatment options. The material quality and treatment success rates are also not that encouraging.

Private treatment can cost you several hundred to several thousand pounds. However, better output in terms of oral health and aesthetics compensates for this high price.

For an even better success rate, you can choose the treatment from Specialist dental services. This treatment only costs you about £17000 to £20000 for a full one arch bridge.

This treatment includes everything from initial consultation to surgery to follow up care which makes it worth it in the long-term.

Conclusion

Most people with missing teeth choose the dental bridge treatment for its less invasive nature. The cost of this treatment varies significantly based on factors like the bridge type, materials, number of units, and additional necessary procedures. Private clinics charge significantly more for this treatment in comparison with the NHS.

This treatment is a reliable and quick solution for people with missing teeth. However, you need to know more about its different types as well as costs to make a better decision about your dental health.

Visit us at Specialist Dental Services today to get the best dental bridge treatment to enhance your smile and overall oral health at very affordable rates.

FAQs

What is the cost of private dental bridge treatment in the UK?

You have to pay between £695–£3,200 for a private dental bridge treatment in the UK.

How much cheaper are Maryland bridges in comparison with conventional bridges?

Maryland bridges cost £350–£1,000. On the other hand, conventional bridges cost on average £750–£2,400.

What are the typical procedures in a dental bridge cost estimate?

The typical cost estimate includes consultation, teeth preparation, impressions, lab work, fitting, and initial adjustments of the bridges or crowns.

Is a dental bridge treatment worth the price?

A dental bridge is a more comfortable and affordable treatment option. The process is less invasive than dental implants, 

Does the NHS cover dental bridge treatment in the UK?

The NHS offers dental bridges in limited situations under Band 3.

What is the lifespan of a dental bridge treatment?

More than 80% of conventional bridges last for at least 10 years or longer with minimal maintenance.

What is the cost for a two-tooth dental bridge in the UK?

The cost for a 2-tooth dental bridge is between £1,000 – £3,200 in the UK.