Restorative · Dental Bridge · National Cost

How much does a dental bridge cost?

Average Dental Bridge cost in the US: $3,010-$7,900

🏥 Based on ADA fee survey data
📊 Population-weighted national average
🔄 Updated May 2026
✓ Reviewed by Pearl clinical team
$3010 – $7900

Typical Dental Bridge range across the United States

📍 All 50 states covered 🏥 PPO typically covers up to ortho max

National average

$4620

Dental Bridge · D6240

What is this procedure?

About this procedure

A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth using crowns on the neighboring teeth (called abutments) to support a fake tooth (called a pontic) in the gap. A typical 3-unit bridge spans one missing tooth and is anchored on the two adjacent teeth. Bridges are an alternative to dental implants and are usually completed over two visits.

Bridges cost less upfront than implants and don't require oral surgery. The trade-off is that healthy adjacent teeth must be reduced to accept the abutment crowns, and bridges typically last 10–15 years before needing replacement. If an abutment tooth fails, the entire bridge usually needs replacement too.

Price factors

What affects this cost?

  • Number of units: A 3-unit bridge replaces one tooth; a 4-unit bridge replaces two teeth or spans a longer gap.
  • Material: All-ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), and gold bridges have different price points.
  • Lab fees: High-end labs charge more for bridges than chain labs.
  • Build-up needed: If the abutment teeth need build-ups before the bridge, that's a separate fee.
  • Implant alternative: A bridge is usually less expensive than an implant upfront, but implants don't require altering adjacent teeth.

By state

Where does this cost the most and least?

Pearl tracks pricing across all 50 states. Below are the highest and lowest cost markets — click any state for a full state-level cost breakdown across covered cities.

Highest cost states

Lowest cost states

Quote checker

What should your quote include?

Different providers bundle costs differently. Here's what a complete quote typically covers — and what's often left out.

USUALLY INCLUDED IN THE QUOTED PRICE

  • Local anesthesia
  • Preparation of abutment teeth
  • Impression or digital scan
  • Temporary bridge between visits
  • Lab fee for the permanent bridge
  • Fitting, bite check, and polish

OFTEN BILLED SEPARATELY — ASK BEFORE YOU AGREE

  • Build-ups on abutment teeth (post and core, if needed)
  • Root canals on abutment teeth (if needed)
  • Replacement bridge if the original fails
  • Extractions of the missing tooth's roots, if not already done
  • Sedation beyond local anesthesia

Health stakes

What happens if you delay treatment?

  • Adjacent teeth shift into the gap, making future restoration harder
  • The opposing tooth can over-erupt into the missing space
  • Bone loss in the gap area progresses, making future implants harder
  • Bite alignment changes can lead to TMJ issues

Before you agree

Questions to ask your provider

  • Should I consider an implant instead of a bridge?
  • How many units, and what's the per-unit fee?
  • What material are you using?
  • How long can I expect this bridge to last?
  • What happens if one of the abutment teeth fails?

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Implants don't require altering adjacent teeth and last longer (often 20+ years vs 10–15 for bridges), but cost more upfront and require oral surgery. Bridges are faster, cheaper upfront, and don't need surgery, but require reducing healthy teeth and may need replacement sooner. Your dentist can advise based on your specific situation.
Most PPO plans cover bridges at 50% after the deductible, up to the annual maximum. The annual cap often means significant out-of-pocket cost for a multi-unit bridge.
A well-maintained bridge typically lasts 10–15 years. Lifespan depends on oral hygiene, bite forces, and the health of the abutment teeth.
A traditional bridge is permanently cemented and not easily removed. If a bridge fails, the entire structure usually needs to be replaced. Some specialized bridges (Maryland bridges) are less invasive but also less durable.
If an abutment tooth develops a problem (decay, fracture, or root canal failure), the bridge typically has to come off so the abutment can be treated. In some cases the entire bridge needs replacement.

See local pricing

Compare what this costs in your city.

Pearl's cost data covers 485 U.S. cities. Search by procedure and zip — get a localized fee range and what to expect from your insurance.

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