4 Types of Dental Bridges: Which One Do You Need?
Updated 30 March 2026
Traditional, cantilever, Maryland bonded, and implant-supported. Each type has different costs, durability, and ideal use cases. Your dentist will recommend one based on which tooth is missing, the health of surrounding teeth, and your budget. Here is what you need to know about each type to have an informed conversation with your dentist.
Traditional Bridge
Most missing tooth situations, especially back teeth where strength is critical. Works for any tooth position.
$1,500 - $5,000
10-15 years lifespan
The most common type of dental bridge, accounting for roughly 70% of all bridges placed. Two crowns are placed on the teeth on either side of the gap (abutment teeth), with one or more pontics (fake teeth) suspended between them. The abutment teeth must be filed down by about 1.5 to 2mm on all sides to accommodate the crowns, which permanently alters healthy tooth structure. This is irreversible, meaning those teeth will always need crowns going forward, even if the bridge is later replaced with an implant.
MATERIALS AND PRICING
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) at $1,500-$2,550, all-ceramic at $1,950-$3,300, zirconia at $2,100-$3,600 for a 3-unit bridge
Advantages
- Strongest tooth-supported option with proven long-term track record
- Works for any tooth position in the mouth
- Well-established technique with predictable results across all dental practices
- Good insurance coverage at 50% as a major restorative service
Limitations
- Requires grinding down 2 healthy teeth permanently
- Higher total cost due to 3+ units of material and lab work
- Adjacent teeth may develop problems (decay under crowns) over time
- Cannot be repaired if the metal or zirconia framework breaks
Cantilever Bridge
Back of the mouth where only one adjacent tooth is available (such as the last molar in the arch, with no tooth behind the gap). Also used when one adjacent tooth is unsuitable for a crown due to previous damage or position.
$2,000 - $4,500
5-10 years lifespan
Similar to a traditional bridge but anchored on only one side instead of both. One or two abutment crowns support the pontic from a single direction, creating a cantilever (like a diving board). This design creates a lever effect that concentrates stress on the anchor tooth, which is why cantilever bridges have shorter lifespans than traditional bridges. The single-sided anchoring means less tooth preparation overall, but more force on fewer teeth.
MATERIALS AND PRICING
Same material options as traditional bridges. Cost is sometimes lower because fewer units may be needed (a 2-unit cantilever costs less than a 3-unit traditional).
Advantages
- Only requires one or two abutment teeth instead of two on both sides
- Lower cost when fewer units are needed
- Good option when only one adjacent tooth exists or is suitable
- Preserves tooth structure on one side of the gap
Limitations
- Higher stress on the anchor tooth due to the lever effect
- Shorter lifespan of 5 to 10 years compared to 10 to 15 for traditional
- Can cause the anchor tooth to loosen or tilt over time
- Not suitable for areas with heavy bite forces unless reinforced with additional units
Maryland Bonded Bridge
Front teeth (incisors, sometimes canines) in patients who want to preserve adjacent tooth structure. Excellent temporary solution for younger patients whose jaw and teeth are still developing, or as a bridge between tooth loss and eventual implant placement.
$1,500 - $2,500
5-7 years lifespan
Also called a resin-bonded bridge or adhesive bridge. Instead of full crowns on the adjacent teeth, a Maryland bridge uses metal or porcelain wings (flanges) that are bonded to the back surfaces of the neighboring teeth with resin cement. The adjacent teeth require only minimal preparation (light etching of the enamel surface), preserving nearly all of their natural structure. This makes it the most conservative and reversible tooth-supported bridge option.
MATERIALS AND PRICING
Metal framework with porcelain pontic at $1,000-$1,800. All-porcelain (zirconia wings) at $1,500-$2,500. The all-porcelain option eliminates the risk of metal show-through on the back of the teeth.
Advantages
- Minimal preparation of adjacent teeth preserves their strength and enamel
- Lowest cost of all bridge types due to simpler design
- Essentially reversible since teeth are not permanently altered
- Quick procedure, sometimes completed in a single appointment
Limitations
- Weakest retention of all bridge types because bonded wings provide less grip than full crowns
- Wings can debond and the bridge falls off, requiring re-cementation
- Not suitable for back teeth because bite forces exceed the bond strength
- Metal wings can show through translucent front teeth as a dark shadow
Implant-Supported Bridge
Multiple adjacent missing teeth (3 or more), or when adjacent natural teeth are not strong enough to support a traditional bridge due to decay, prior root canals, or periodontal disease. Also preferred by patients who want the longest-lasting solution and want to preserve remaining natural teeth.
$4,000 - $16,000+
15-25+ years lifespan
Instead of using natural teeth as anchors, this bridge is supported by dental implants: titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone. The posts integrate with the bone over 3 to 6 months (osseointegration), then an abutment and bridge are attached on top. Typically, 2 implants can support a 3 to 4-unit bridge, avoiding the need for one implant per missing tooth. This is the gold standard for replacing multiple adjacent missing teeth.
MATERIALS AND PRICING
Titanium implant posts ($1,500-$3,000 each) plus zirconia or porcelain bridge framework ($2,000-$6,000). The bridge portion is typically zirconia for maximum durability. Total costs include the surgical placement, healing abutments, and final prosthetic.
Advantages
- Longest-lasting option by far, with titanium posts potentially lasting a lifetime
- Does not rely on or damage natural teeth at all
- Prevents jawbone loss by providing mechanical stimulation that mimics tooth roots
- Can replace 3 or more teeth with just 2 implant posts, reducing cost per tooth
Limitations
- Highest upfront cost of all bridge types by a significant margin
- Requires oral surgery with associated recovery time and surgical risks
- 3 to 6 month treatment timeline from surgery to final bridge placement
- Not suitable for patients with insufficient jawbone without prior bone grafting ($300-$3,000 additional)
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Traditional | Cantilever | Maryland | Implant-Supported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost (1 missing tooth) | $1,500-$5,000 | $2,000-$4,500 | $1,500-$2,500 | $4,000-$16,000 |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years | 5-10 years | 5-7 years | 15-25+ years |
| Surgery needed | No | No | No | Yes |
| Adjacent teeth altered | Yes (both sides) | Yes (one side) | Minimal | No |
| Strength | High | Medium | Low | Highest |
| Best position | Any | Back teeth | Front teeth | Any |
| Appointments | 2-3 | 2-3 | 1-2 | 4-6+ |
| Timeline | 2-4 weeks | 2-4 weeks | 1-2 weeks | 3-6 months |
| Insurance coverage | Good (50%) | Good (50%) | Good (50%) | Variable |
Which Type Should You Choose?
Missing a back tooth with healthy teeth on both sides
Traditional bridge with PFM or zirconia. This is the most common scenario and traditional bridges handle the bite forces of molars well. A 3-unit PFM bridge costs $1,500 to $2,550 and lasts 10 to 15 years. Zirconia costs more ($2,100 to $3,600) but may last 15 to 20 years.
Missing a front tooth and want minimal tooth alteration
Maryland bridge is the conservative choice at $1,500 to $2,500. It preserves the adjacent teeth almost entirely. The trade-off is a shorter lifespan (5 to 7 years) and the possibility of the bridge debonding. For a more permanent front-tooth solution, a dental implant ($3,000 to $5,000) is often the better long-term investment.
Missing the last tooth in the arch with nothing behind it
Cantilever bridge is designed specifically for this situation. Cost is $2,000 to $4,500. Be aware that cantilever bridges place extra stress on the anchor tooth. An implant is a strong alternative here if you have sufficient bone density.
Missing 3 or more adjacent teeth
Implant-supported bridge is almost always recommended for spans of 3 or more missing teeth. A traditional bridge spanning this distance would be structurally unstable and put excessive stress on the anchor teeth. Two implants supporting a 4 to 6-unit bridge costs $8,000 to $16,000+ but provides the strongest, longest-lasting result.