Top 10 Dental Clinics in Hanoi for a 3-Unit Dental Bridge (2026 Guide for Australian, NZ & US Patients)
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- Top 10 Dental Clinics in Hanoi for a 3-Unit Dental Bridge (2026 Guide for Australian, NZ & US Patients)
Last updated: February 2026 | Reading time: 14 minutes
A 3-unit dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic restoration that replaces one missing tooth by spanning the gap between two adjacent teeth. It consists of three components permanently joined together: a crown fitted over the tooth on the left side of the gap (the left abutment), an artificial tooth suspended in the middle that fills the empty space (the pontic), and a crown fitted over the tooth on the right side of the gap (the right abutment). The entire assembly is cemented onto the prepared natural teeth and cannot be removed by the patient — it functions and is cleaned like natural teeth, with the additional step of cleaning underneath the pontic using a floss threader or interdental brush.
The 3-unit bridge has been the workhorse of restorative dentistry for over a century. It is well-understood, reliable, cost-effective, and completes in a single short trip of 5–7 days — making it well-matched to dental tourism. The principal tradeoff is that placing a bridge requires permanently altering two healthy adjacent teeth by removing 1–2mm of enamel from their circumference to create room for the crowns. Once this enamel is removed, those teeth are dependent on crowns for their remaining lifespan. They become the “weak links” in the restoration — if either abutment tooth later develops decay or root complications requiring extraction, the entire bridge fails and must be replaced.
This tradeoff is clinically acceptable when the adjacent teeth are already compromised — for example, if they are cracked, heavily filled, worn down, or otherwise candidates for crowning regardless of the bridge decision. It is a more significant sacrifice when the adjacent teeth are pristine and healthy, because the enamel sacrifice is permanent and the abutment teeth take on increased structural load supporting the span. In that scenario, a single dental implant — which does not involve the adjacent teeth at all — preserves more long-term tooth structure, even though it costs more upfront and requires 3–6 months for osseointegration before the final crown can be placed.
Understanding this tradeoff should be part of every bridge consultation in Hanoi. A quality clinic will discuss it proactively. Any clinic that automatically recommends a bridge without considering whether the adjacent teeth are suitable abutments, or without offering implant as an alternative for consideration, is not giving you the full clinical picture.
Traditional 3-unit bridge. The standard bridge described above: two abutment crowns supporting one pontic. Used for any single missing tooth where the adjacent teeth are suitable abutments. The most common configuration at Hanoi clinics.
Cantilever bridge. The pontic is supported by only one abutment crown rather than two. Used when there is only one adjacent tooth available on one side of the gap — typically for front teeth near the end of the dental arch. Less commonly placed due to the increased stress on the single abutment, but clinically appropriate in specific anatomical situations.
Maryland bridge (resin-bonded bridge). A conservative alternative where the pontic is attached to metal or ceramic wings bonded to the backs of the adjacent teeth without crown preparation — no enamel is removed. Appropriate for front teeth in younger patients, where preserving tooth structure is paramount and bite forces are moderate. Less durable than a traditional bridge under molar-load conditions. Available at clinics with prosthodontic expertise.
Implant-supported bridge. The pontic is supported by two dental implants placed into the jawbone rather than by crowning adjacent natural teeth. No healthy tooth structure is sacrificed. Requires surgical placement of implants, 3–6 months of osseointegration, then return to Hanoi for the bridge superstructure. Most cost-effective for patients replacing two adjacent missing teeth (two implants supporting a three-unit bridge), avoiding the need for three individual implant crowns. Discussed in context where relevant, but outside the scope of this guide’s primary focus on traditional tooth-supported 3-unit bridges.
The material from which a dental bridge is fabricated affects its aesthetics, strength, longevity, and biocompatibility. Understanding the main options allows patients to make an informed choice rather than accepting a default recommendation.
Zirconia (full-contour monolithic zirconia). The current gold standard for bridge fabrication at quality Hanoi clinics. Zirconia is a ceramic material with exceptional compressive strength (900–1200 MPa) that resists fracture under normal and heavy occlusal loads, making it suitable for posterior (back tooth) bridges where chewing forces are greatest. It is tooth-coloured with no metal components, eliminating the dark metal shadow at the gumline that is the most visible aesthetic failing of older PFM bridges. Modern high-translucency zirconia (multilayered zirconia, Katana Zirconia, or similar) achieves good optical depth and can be difficult to distinguish from natural enamel in typical viewing conditions. Zirconia bridges are fabricated using CAD/CAM milling from pre-sintered blocks, producing a precise fit. Most reputable Hanoi clinics use zirconia as their primary bridge material for both front and back teeth, with warranties of 10–15 years.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM). The previous generation standard, still in wide use. A metal framework (typically cobalt-chromium or precious metal alloy) is cast and then veneered with tooth-coloured porcelain on the visible surfaces. PFM bridges are very strong — the metal core resists fracture under load. The aesthetic limitation is that the metal opaque layer creates a base colour that prevents natural light transmission through the tooth, and the metal margin at the gumline is often visible as a dark line, particularly as gums naturally recede with age. PFM is less expensive than zirconia and is appropriate for patients on tighter budgets, patients with metal preference, or cases where the bridge will be in a non-visible location. At quality Hanoi clinics, PFM bridges cost approximately 20–30% less than zirconia equivalents.
E.max (IPS e.max Press or CAD — lithium disilicate glass-ceramic). The premium aesthetic option for front tooth bridges. E.max offers exceptional translucency that most closely replicates natural enamel’s optical properties — particularly the way light passes through the tooth depth — producing the most natural-looking result. Its compressive strength (400 MPa) is sufficient for front teeth and premolars but is generally not recommended for molar bridges in patients with heavy biting forces or parafunctional habits like bruxism. E.max bridges at quality Hanoi clinics are fabricated from Ivoclar Vivadent material (the originating manufacturer), which distinguishes them from generic lithium disilicate alternatives.
The practical recommendation for most patients. Zirconia is the right default material for the majority of Hanoi bridge cases: it handles any position in the mouth including molars, has no metal components, does not show gum shadow, achieves good aesthetics in modern multilayered form, and warrants 10–15 years at quality clinics. E.max is worth specifying if aesthetics are the highest priority for a front tooth bridge in a patient with a light bite. PFM is appropriate when budget is the primary constraint and the bridge will be in a non-visible position.
Of all the restorative procedures in dental tourism, the traditional tooth-supported bridge is one of the most tourism-compatible. It completes in a predictable 5–7 day timeline across two appointments — no surgical healing period, no osseointegration wait, no multi-trip requirement. The procedure is well-standardised across clinics, so quality differences between providers are smaller than for surgical procedures like implants. The materials and brands are identical to those used in Australia and the US. And the savings relative to home are among the most dramatic of any dental procedure.
For an Australian patient quoted AUD $3,500–$5,000 for a 3-unit zirconia bridge at their home dentist, the Hanoi equivalent at a quality clinic costs AUD $615–$1,077 (USD $400–$700) — a saving of AUD $2,400–$4,385. Even adding return flights from Sydney to Hanoi (approximately AUD $600–$1,000 return), three nights additional accommodation, and travel insurance, the net financial saving is typically AUD $1,000–$3,000 after all travel costs are accounted for. For patients already visiting Hanoi for other reasons — tourism, family, business — the bridge cost comparison is even more favourable.
The two-appointment structure means the first appointment (tooth preparation, impressions, temporary bridge placement) takes 60–90 minutes, followed by 3–5 days of normal tourism activities while the laboratory fabricates the permanent bridge, then a second appointment of 45–60 minutes for fitting, adjustment, and cementation. Most patients find the process straightforward and the temporary bridge comfortable enough to eat normally during the wait period.
Abutment tooth health assessment. Before any bridge preparation, the health of the two adjacent teeth must be verified. This requires periapical X-rays of each abutment tooth to confirm healthy pulp (nerve), sound root structure, and absence of active decay. A clinic that proposes bridge preparation without adequate X-ray assessment is skipping the most important safety step. If either abutment tooth has pulp involvement that is not identified before preparation — which includes removing enamel and dentine — the patient may develop post-bridge sensitivity or pulp death requiring root canal therapy through the crown, or worse, bridge failure.
Occlusal analysis before design. The bridge must be designed in the context of how the upper and lower teeth bite together. A pontic placed without bite analysis may be too long, causing the patient to hit the bridge before closing fully — an uncomfortable situation that places stress on the abutments and can cause the bridge to debond or fracture. Quality clinics perform articulation analysis and sometimes use digital bite registration (T-Scan or articulating paper analysis) to verify the bridge’s occlusal clearance before cementation.
In-house or dedicated off-site laboratory. The quality of the laboratory that fabricates the bridge framework significantly affects the final fit and aesthetics. Clinics with in-house CAD/CAM capability can produce bridges within 1–3 days using milling machines, allowing faster turnaround. Clinics without in-house labs use trusted off-site dental laboratories, which typically take 3–5 days. Either approach is acceptable — the laboratory quality and communication between clinic and lab is what matters, not exclusively whether it is in-house. Ask clinics where their lab work is fabricated.
Digital impressions vs conventional. Digital intraoral scanning (using devices like iTero, 3Shape Trios, or Cerec Omnicam) produces more accurate impressions of prepared teeth than conventional putty impressions and eliminates distortion during setting and transport. At quality Hanoi clinics, digital scanning is standard for bridge work. The accuracy of the impression directly affects the fit of the bridge margin — a poor impression produces a bridge that sits loosely, allows bacterial infiltration at the margin, and causes premature failure.
Bridge material transparency. Ask specifically which zirconia brand the clinic uses. Katana (Kuraray Noritake, Japan), Prettau (Zirkonzahn, Italy), and KaVo Everest are among the quality-tier zirconia materials used by top Hanoi clinics. Generic unnamed Chinese zirconia blocks — which exist in the market — are less consistent in density and translucency than branded materials. A clinic that cannot tell you the zirconia manufacturer has not invested in the material quality education that patient care requires.
Temporary bridge provision and quality. In the days between tooth preparation and permanent bridge fitting, the prepared abutment teeth must be protected by a well-fitting temporary bridge. A poor temporary causes sensitivity, gum inflammation around the margins, and changes to the soft tissue contour that makes the final bridge fit less predictable. Ask whether the clinic fabricates temporary bridges in-house (better) or uses prefabricated shells (acceptable for short periods).
Best for: Comprehensive pre-bridge assessment, explicit prosthodontic framework, 70,000+ patient volume, same-brand materials as Western clinics, patient education on bridge vs implant decision, 5–15 year warranty
Picasso Dental Clinic’s published dental bridge documentation covers the clinical assessment process in the level of detail that distinguishes a prosthodontically-literate practice from a high-volume crown and bridge mill. Their patient communication addresses the abutment tooth health verification requirement (X-rays to confirm pulp vitality before preparation), the material hierarchy from PFM through to zirconia and the clinical situations appropriate to each, the honest discussion of whether a single implant might serve the patient better over a 15-year horizon, and the specific aftercare requirements — floss threaders under the pontic, water flossers, regular professional cleaning — that determine bridge longevity.
On materials, Picasso uses the same ceramic brands as Western clinics: Ivoclar Vivadent for e.max, 3M and Vita systems for porcelain, quality-tier zirconia for standard bridge fabrication. Their crown and bridge pricing runs USD $200–$500 per unit, meaning a 3-unit zirconia bridge (two abutment crowns + one pontic) totals approximately USD $600–$900 all-inclusive — covering consultation, X-rays, local anaesthesia, temporary bridge, laboratory fabrication, permanent cementation, and one follow-up check. The 5–7 day timeline is clearly documented.
The clinic’s 70,000+ patient base across four Vietnam cities since 2013 translates to an extremely high volume of bridge cases, with the clinical repetition that produces reliable abutment preparation, accurate impression technique, and consistent cementation outcomes across the team. Both Hanoi branches operate seven days per week, accommodating patients whose Hanoi stay is constrained by flight dates. International patient communication via WhatsApp allows X-ray sharing and free pre-trip consultation to confirm whether adjacent teeth are suitable abutments before the patient books flights.
Material options: Zirconia (default), e.max (front teeth), PFM Price: USD $600–$900 for 3-unit bridge total, all-inclusive Timeline: 5–7 days, 2 visits Warranty: 5–15 years depending on material Hours: 7 days/week both branches
Best for: Multinational prosthodontic team, longitudinal patient outcomes across bridge cases spanning years, 20 years international patient care, conservative clinical recommendations
Westcoast International’s clinical director has documented cases of patients returning annually or biennially for their dental needs, with crown and bridge work from earlier visits examined and found performing well on follow-up by both the Westcoast team and patients’ home dentists in Australia and the USA. This longitudinal outcome visibility — seeing how bridges placed 5, 8, or 10 years prior are performing — provides a quality benchmark that newer clinics cannot offer.
The multinational clinical team, with training from Germany, Canada, Australia, the USA, Italy, Spain, and Japan, brings diverse prosthodontic and restorative dental backgrounds to bridge assessment. Prosthodontic training specifically — which Westcoast clinicians with German and North American backgrounds hold — is the specialty most directly relevant to bridge design, occlusal planning, abutment selection, and long-term outcome management. The clinical director’s guidance on avoiding habits that stress bridge margins (the “glass extension” philosophy they also apply to veneers) is equally applicable to traditional bridge abutment protection.
Westcoast is positioned at the premium end of Hanoi’s dental tourism market, reflecting the genuine clinical depth and experience level of their team. Bridge patients expecting the highest quality of pre-treatment assessment, material selection counselling, and post-placement follow-up will find Westcoast’s approach closely mirrors what a senior prosthodontist in Sydney or Melbourne would provide — at a fraction of the cost.
Material options: Full zirconia, e.max, PFM (confirm preference at booking) Price: Premium-mid tier (confirm at booking) Timeline: 5–7 days, 2 visits Track record: Nearly 20 years international restorative dentistry
Best for: 4.9-star Google rating, verified Australian patient reviews for crown and bridge, all-inclusive dental tourism packages, CBCT imaging for abutment assessment, Class B sterilisation, 15-year warranty on restorations
An Australian patient documented on MedicalTourismCo specifically cites Greenfield for crowns and bridge work, rating savings 5/5 and overall experience 5/5. The clinic’s Trustpilot reviews document multiple Australian patients having complex restorative work including implants and full arch cases performed to outcomes that impressed their Australian dentists on follow-up. The standard of restorative work at this quality level is directly applicable to the abutment preparation and bridge fabrication involved in a traditional 3-unit case.
Greenfield’s CBCT 3D imaging capability is particularly relevant for bridge assessment: 3D bone imaging allows the dentist to evaluate the periodontal bone support around the proposed abutment teeth, identify any bony pathology not visible on conventional 2D X-rays, and — if the patient is considering implant as an alternative — assess bone volume at the gap site to confirm implant feasibility. This comprehensive assessment before committing to either restoration type reflects a clinical approach that puts the right long-term outcome above the fastest path to revenue.
The clinic’s all-inclusive dental tourism packages — airport reception, accommodation for two nights, complete in-stay transportation — are well-matched to bridge patients who are making their first Hanoi dental tourism visit and want logistical support rather than self-organizing. Transparent published pricing, Class B sterilisation standards, and a 15-year warranty on quality restorations complete the proposition.
Material options: Zirconia, e.max, PFM (German-certified materials) Price: Published from USD $315/unit equivalent (confirm bridge total at booking) Timeline: 5–7 days, 2 visits Rating: 4.9 stars Google Package: Airport, hotel, transport included for international patients
Best for: 20-year Hanoi track record specifically for bridges and crowns, highest volume of verified long-term patient return reviews, ISO certification, directly documented “2 bridges and 20 crowns” plus “3 bridges and 21 crowns” case outcomes from Australian patients
The TripAdvisor and Vietnam-dental.com review archives for Australian Dental Clinic contain a volume of bridge-specific patient accounts unmatched by any other Hanoi clinic in publicly searchable records. One Australian couple documents the husband completing “2 small bridges and 20 porcelain crowns” and the wife completing “3 bridges and 21 porcelain crowns” in the same visit, reporting results as “over the moon” and rating as “1st class.” Multiple other reviewers document completing large numbers of crowns over 5–9 years of repeat visits, specifically citing the consistency and quality of restorative outcomes.
This long-term pattern of patient return — patients coming back from Australia specifically to have further bridge and crown work done at the same clinic — is the strongest single indicator of restorative dental quality available, because it is based on multi-year outcome experience rather than initial impression. Patients who find that their bridges from Hanoi fail at home, or are criticised by their Australian dentist, do not return. The pattern of documented return visits for additional restorative work is the clearest evidence of durable outcomes available.
The clinic’s ISO certification ensures documented quality management processes across the full patient care cycle including bridge fabrication oversight, sterilisation, and instrument management. Eight dentists including a dedicated sterilisation nurse provide the operational redundancy for reliable appointment scheduling throughout a patient’s 5–7 day bridge timeline.
Material options: Zirconia, PFM, all-ceramic (confirm at booking) Price: Mid-tier, transparent published pricing Timeline: 5–7 days, 2 visits Established: 2006 (longest-established international clinic in this guide) Verified patient volume: Multiple Australian patients with bridge cases documented over 5–9 year return visit history
Best for: University of Melbourne prosthodontist leading bridge assessment, no consultation fee for pre-treatment evaluation, multi-branch scheduling flexibility for 5–7 day bridge timeline, established 2012
BeDental Premium’s clinical advantage for bridge patients is the prosthodontic training of Dr. Nguyen Hoang Anh (University of Melbourne, Australian Dental Association member). Prosthodontics is the specialty dedicated to replacing missing teeth and restoring damaged ones — it is precisely the specialty most relevant to bridge design, abutment assessment, occlusal planning, and long-term prosthetic management. A prosthodontist evaluating a bridge case brings a different depth of analysis than a general dentist: they are trained specifically to evaluate whether the adjacent teeth are truly suitable abutments (assessing crown-to-root ratio, periodontal support, pulp health, and occlusal load distribution), and to plan the restoration in the context of the full dentition’s function rather than as an isolated procedure.
The no-consultation-fee policy is directly beneficial for bridge patients who want to attend an assessment to determine whether the adjacent teeth are appropriate abutments — a question that depends on X-ray findings and clinical examination — without committing to bridge fees before receiving that advice. Three branches across Ba Dinh, Cau Giay, and Dong Da provide scheduling flexibility for the two appointments within the 5–7 day bridge timeline, and allow follow-up access even if one branch has scheduling constraints.
Material options: Full zirconia, e.max, PFM Price: Mid-range, no consultation fee Timeline: 5–7 days, 2 visits Key advantage: Prosthodontic specialty leadership for bridge assessment Established: 2012
Best for: Harvard-certified and ICOI-fellowship clinical team, iTero digital intraoral scanning for high-precision bridge impressions, digital bridge design preview, integration of bridge within comprehensive restorative planning
Hanoi Sydney Dental’s iTero digital intraoral scanning system produces highly accurate impressions of prepared abutment teeth without the distortion risk of conventional putty impressions — particularly relevant for bridge work, where impression accuracy directly determines the fit of the bridge margin. A loose-fitting bridge margin allows bacterial infiltration at the interface between crown and tooth, leading to secondary decay of the abutment tooth — the most common long-term bridge failure mode. Precision digital impressions reduce this risk by producing better-fitting margins.
The clinic’s Harvard continuing education certification and ICOI fellowship reflect investment in advanced restorative training at international level. For bridge patients, the Harvard training in fixed prosthodontics ensures that the abutment preparation design — the specific geometry of how the crown margin is cut around the tooth circumference — follows the principles that maximise bond strength and marginal integrity of the completed bridge.
The clinic’s capacity to provide digital bridge design previews, allowing the patient to see the proposed bridge shape relative to adjacent teeth before fabrication begins, reduces the risk of aesthetic surprise at the fitting appointment and allows shade and shape adjustments to be discussed before the laboratory produces the final restoration.
Material options: High-translucency zirconia, e.max, PFM Price: Mid-premium tier Timeline: 5–7 days, 2 visits Key technology: iTero digital scanning for precision bridge impressions Established: 2019
Best for: FDA/CE-certified bridge materials, no-upselling policy, AI-assisted treatment planning including bridge design, before/after documentation, two-branch flexibility
Thuy Anh’s documented commitment to FDA and CE-certified dental materials applies directly to bridge ceramics: the abutment crown and pontic material must meet these standards for confirmed biocompatibility and mechanical performance. Their no-upselling policy is relevant for bridge patients who may arrive uncertain about whether bridge or implant is appropriate — the clinic’s documented culture of recommending only what is clinically indicated, rather than what generates higher revenue, means their bridge vs implant guidance can be trusted as clinically-driven.
The clinic’s AI-assisted planning tools, applied to bridge design, allow the proposed bridge shape and pontic profile to be visualised digitally before preparation, with the patient’s existing tooth proportions and facial features factored into the design. Before-and-after clinical documentation is standard practice, providing the patient with records useful for follow-up with their home dentist.
Two branch locations — Dong Da at 181 Yen Lang and Cau Giay at 10 Dich Vong Hau — provide geographic flexibility for the two visits within the bridge timeline, and both branches operate according to the same documented clinical protocols.
Material options: FDA/CE-certified zirconia, e.max, PFM Price: Competitive transparent pricing Timeline: 5–7 days, 2 visits Key advantage: No-upselling policy ensures honest bridge vs implant guidance
Best for: In-house German CAD/CAM milling for potentially faster bridge turnaround, high-volume operation with 2,500 patients/month providing bridge fabrication consistency, transparent pricing
Shark Dental’s in-house German CAD/CAM milling system allows bridge frameworks to be designed and milled within the clinic rather than sent to an external laboratory, potentially reducing the fabrication turnaround to 1–3 days versus the 3–5 days typically required by external labs. For dental tourists with a shorter Hanoi window — 4–5 days rather than 7 — this faster turnaround can make a same-trip bridge completion feasible where it would otherwise require either an extended stay or a return visit.
The clinic’s 2,500 patients per month case volume means a very high frequency of bridge preparation and cementation, developing the clinical consistency in abutment preparation depth, impression technique, and cementation protocol that repetition produces. CAD/CAM milling also produces consistently accurate bridge margins by design — the digital workflow removes impression variability from the fabrication chain, producing a more reliably fitting final restoration than hand-fabricated processes.
Material options: Zirconia (CAD/CAM milled), PFM Price: Mid-range, transparent Timeline: Potentially 4–5 days with in-house milling (confirm at booking) Key advantage: In-house CAD/CAM for faster turnaround and precise margins
Best for: Nine-branch network for scheduling redundancy across 5–7 day bridge timeline, extended 8AM–7:30PM seven-day hours, 15+ years bridge experience, multi-procedure capability for patients combining bridge with other work
Viet Phap’s nine-branch Hanoi network provides an operational advantage for bridge timeline management that single-location clinics cannot offer: if the patient’s preferred branch has no appointment availability on a particular day within the 5–7 day bridge window, another branch with an opening can accommodate the appointment without extending the overall stay. For international patients on fixed-date return flights, this scheduling redundancy has genuine practical value.
The extended 8AM–7:30PM operating hours across seven days mean bridge fitting appointments can be accommodated on Saturday or Sunday mornings, allowing patients whose work schedule limits weekday Hanoi visits to complete both the preparation and fitting appointments across a long weekend rather than requiring a full week away from work.
Fifteen-plus years of bridge experience since 2010 provides the clinical case history that reflects in consistent outcomes for standard restorative cases.
Material options: Zirconia, PFM, all-ceramic Price: Competitive mid-range Timeline: 5–7 days, 2 visits Key advantage: Nine branches for scheduling flexibility, extended hours Established: 2010
Best for: Dr. Pham Duy Quang’s 7,000+ restorative cases, European 5-star positioning for patients prioritising environment and care level, widest material range including bridge options, 20+ years of specialist restorative experience
Dencos Luxury positions at the premium end of Hanoi’s restorative dental market. Dr. Pham Duy Quang’s 20+ years of cosmetic and restorative experience and 7,000+ case volume represents the highest documented individual specialist case count in the Hanoi market. For bridge patients where abutment preparation precision and bridge margin design are the primary quality determinants, a practitioner with this volume of individual restorative cases has refined technique that cannot be replicated by a less experienced clinician regardless of training background.
The clinic’s European spa aesthetic — private treatment rooms, premium materials selection, concierge-level patient management — is relevant for bridge patients who are investing in a significant restorative procedure and want an environment that matches the quality of the clinical outcome they are seeking. The full ceramic material range, including quality-tier zirconia for posterior bridges and e.max for anterior aesthetic cases, ensures that material selection is not constrained by what the clinic has available.
Material options: Quality-tier zirconia, e.max (Ivoclar), PFM Price: Premium tier Timeline: 5–7 days, 2 visits Key advantage: 20+ years specialist restorative experience, highest individual case volume
| Material | Hanoi USD (3-unit total) | Hanoi AUD | Australia AUD | Saving AUD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal) | $400–$600 | $615–$923 | $2,500–$4,000 | $1,577–$3,385 |
| Zirconia | $500–$750 | $769–$1,154 | $3,500–$5,500 | $2,346–$4,731 |
| E.max (lithium disilicate) | $600–$900 | $923–$1,385 | $3,500–$6,000 | $2,115–$5,077 |
| Zirconia (most common case) | $600–$750 | $923–$1,154 | $3,500–$5,000 | $2,346–$4,077 |
A standard 3-unit zirconia bridge at a quality Hanoi clinic costs AUD $923–$1,154 all-inclusive, versus AUD $3,500–$5,000 at an Australian prosthodontist or specialist dental practice. Even after flights (approximately AUD $600–$1,000 return Sydney–Hanoi), accommodation (approximately AUD $700–$1,400 for 7 nights at a mid-range hotel), and travel insurance, the all-in cost of the Hanoi bridge trip is typically AUD $2,200–$3,500 — still a saving of AUD $1,000–$2,800 against the Australian price for the bridge alone. Patients already visiting Vietnam for tourism or other reasons find the cost saving even more pronounced.
Before you arrive. Send your most recent dental X-rays (periapical images of the gap and adjacent teeth) to your shortlisted Hanoi clinic via WhatsApp. Most quality clinics provide free pre-trip assessment of whether the adjacent teeth appear suitable as abutments and whether any pre-treatment (fillings, gum treatment, extraction of compromised roots) is needed before bridge preparation can proceed. This pre-trip assessment prevents the unwelcome discovery on arrival that the case requires additional treatment extending beyond the planned 5–7 day window.
If you do not have recent X-rays, schedule a consultation on your first day in Hanoi (Day 1) for examination and diagnostic imaging before proceeding to preparation. Do not accept bridge preparation on the same day as your first-ever examination at the clinic — the abutment assessment requires time for review.
Day 1–2: Consultation and examination (30–60 minutes). The dentist examines the gap and adjacent teeth, takes periapical X-rays of each abutment tooth, evaluates pulp vitality (to confirm the nerves are healthy and not at risk of post-preparation sensitivity or pulp death), assesses periodontal bone support, and confirms the bite relationship. Material options and shade are discussed. For patients considering bridge vs implant, this is the appropriate moment for an honest clinical discussion about which option serves the long-term interest of the abutment teeth.
Day 2–3: Preparation appointment (90–120 minutes). Under local anaesthesia, the dentist prepares both abutment teeth by reducing their circumference by 1–2mm to create room for the crown walls of the bridge. Reduction is performed on all surfaces including the top. Digital or conventional impressions are taken of the prepared teeth and the opposing arch. Shade selection is confirmed. A temporary bridge is fabricated and placed to protect the exposed dentine of the prepared teeth, maintain the space, and provide functional and aesthetic coverage during the laboratory wait. Mild to moderate sensitivity under the temporary bridge during the following days is normal and resolves when the permanent bridge is cemented.
Days 3–7: Laboratory fabrication. The clinic’s laboratory (in-house or off-site) fabricates the permanent bridge from the provided impressions and design specifications. CAD/CAM milling produces the zirconia or e.max framework, which is then stained and glazed to achieve the prescribed shade and surface texture. Quality fabrication takes 3–5 business days — any clinic advertising overnight or 24-hour turnaround for full-contour zirconia bridges is compromising either on design time or material quality checks.
During this period, explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, take a day trip to Ha Long Bay, or visit the Temple of Literature. The temporary bridge allows normal eating with soft to medium-consistency foods (avoid very hard foods and extreme temperature contrasts that can cause sensitivity under the temporary).
Day 6–7: Fitting appointment (45–60 minutes). The permanent bridge arrives from the laboratory. The temporary bridge is removed and the prepared abutment teeth are cleaned. The permanent bridge is tried in without cement to verify fit, margin integrity, and contact with adjacent teeth. The shade and shape are assessed visually in natural light and confirmed with the patient. Bite (occlusion) is checked with articulating paper to ensure even contact distribution. Once confirmed, the bridge is cemented using dental adhesive, excess cement is removed from the margins, and final bite check is performed. Instructions for cleaning under the pontic with floss threaders, interdental brushes, or a water flosser are provided.
After cementation. Mild sensitivity and pressure awareness are normal for 1–2 weeks as the abutment teeth adjust to the permanent bridge. Avoid very hard foods for the first week. After 2 weeks, full normal eating resumes. Schedule a professional cleaning with your home dentist 3 months after cementation to check margins and clean areas the patient cannot fully access.
This decision is worth addressing directly, because many patients who seek a dental bridge in Hanoi would benefit from understanding when an implant is clinically preferable — even though the bridge is faster, cheaper, and completes within a single short visit.
When a traditional bridge is the right choice. The adjacent teeth already need crowning regardless of the bridge decision (they are heavily filled, cracked, or worn). The patient has bone loss in the gap area that makes implant placement require bone grafting, adding cost and healing time. The patient’s timeline does not permit the 3–6 month implant osseointegration period. The patient’s budget does not accommodate the implant cost differential. The patient’s age or health status makes implant surgery inappropriate.
When a single implant is the better long-term choice. The adjacent teeth are healthy, intact, and have not previously required crowning. The patient is relatively young (below 50) with many years of tooth function ahead, during which the abutment teeth are at elevated decay risk under their bridge crowns. The patient has adequate bone volume in the gap site confirmed by CBCT assessment. The patient can manage the two-trip protocol (implant placement in Hanoi, return 3–6 months later for the crown) or has a dentist willing to place the crown locally once osseointegration is confirmed.
Any quality Hanoi clinic should discuss both options when a patient presents with a missing tooth and healthy adjacent teeth. If a clinic recommends a bridge without mentioning implant as an alternative, ask them to explain the comparison. The choice should be informed, not default.
How long does a dental bridge last? A properly fabricated and well-maintained zirconia bridge at a quality Hanoi clinic lasts 10–15 years, with many exceeding 15 years. PFM bridges last a similar duration but may show aesthetic degradation (gum shadow at the margin) earlier as gums naturally recede with age. The primary failure mode is secondary decay developing under one of the abutment crown margins due to inadequate oral hygiene — specifically failure to clean under the pontic with a floss threader or interdental brush. Patients who clean under the pontic daily and attend professional cleanings regularly have significantly better bridge longevity than those who do not.
Will my Australian dentist be able to service or repair the bridge? Yes. A dental bridge is a universal prosthetic format recognised by every general dentist. Your Australian dentist can clean, assess, repair, and if necessary remove a bridge placed in Hanoi using standard clinical instruments and techniques. Bring a copy of your Hanoi clinic’s treatment records and X-rays to your first Australian appointment after the bridge is placed.
Is the 5–7 day Hanoi timeline realistic with my flight schedule? It is, with planning. Book arrival 1–2 days before the preparation appointment to account for jet lag and ensure you can attend the first appointment alert and rested. Allow 1–2 buffer days after the fitting appointment before your return flight in case minor adjustments are needed. A total Hanoi stay of 7–9 days provides appropriate buffer without being unnecessarily long.
Do I need a root canal before bridge preparation if the abutment tooth has a large filling? Not automatically — but pre-bridge pulp assessment via X-ray is essential. Large restorations do not guarantee pulp involvement. The dentist’s X-ray assessment of the pulp chamber and root structure determines whether root canal therapy is needed before preparation. Some patients discover during the bridge consultation that one abutment tooth has silent pulp pathology that requires root canal treatment first — this is better discovered before preparation than after. Allow for this possibility when planning your Hanoi stay.
Can I eat normally with the temporary bridge during the laboratory wait? Yes, with modifications. Avoid very hard foods (raw carrots, hard bread crusts, ice), very sticky foods (toffee, gum), and extreme temperature drinks that may trigger sensitivity under the temporary crowns. Soft to medium-consistency foods — rice, noodles, cooked vegetables, fish, eggs, soft fruit — are fully manageable. Most patients find the temporary bridge functional enough that the 3–5 day laboratory period is easily spent on normal tourism activities.
What happens if the bridge doesn’t fit well at the fitting appointment? A quality clinic will return the bridge to the laboratory for adjustment rather than forcing a poor fit. This may add 1–2 days to the timeline — another reason to build buffer days into the Hanoi stay. Clinics that push patients to accept a bridge that sits slightly high in the bite rather than remilling or adjusting are cutting corners. Do not leave the fitting appointment with a bridge that does not feel right in your bite.
1. Verify abutment assessment protocol. Ask: “Do you take periapical X-rays of both abutment teeth before preparing them, to confirm pulp health?” The correct answer is yes, always. Any hesitation or “we just do a panoramic X-ray” is not adequate — panoramic images do not provide the resolution needed for periapical assessment.
2. Confirm material and brand. Ask which brand of zirconia is used for bridges. Katana (Kuraray Noritake), Prettau (Zirkonzahn), or equivalent named brands are appropriate. If the clinic cannot name the zirconia manufacturer, probe further.
3. Ask about temporary bridge quality. Confirm that a temporary bridge (not just temporary crowns on individual abutment teeth) will be placed immediately after preparation and worn for the full laboratory wait period.
4. Clarify laboratory turnaround time. Confirm how many days the permanent bridge fabrication takes and whether this fits within your planned Hanoi timeline. For 7-day stays, a 3-day laboratory turnaround (preparation Day 2, fitting Day 5–6) works; a 5-day turnaround requires preparation no later than Day 2.
5. Discuss bridge vs implant before committing. If your adjacent teeth are healthy, ask the dentist to explain why a bridge is recommended over a single implant for your specific case. The explanation should reference your X-rays, bone assessment, tooth health, and timeline — not just price or convenience.