Is dental bridge the best option to fill empty spot?

My relative has lost part of his tooth but he still has the root of that missing tooth left. The doctor has recommended that he get the root extracted for health reasons. The doctor has also recommended that he get a bridge installed after the extraction. I called the dentist to inquire about the cost of installing the bridge and learned that it would cost at least $5000. Since the cost is so high and my relative does not have dental insurance, can he simply leave that empty spot in his mouth after the extraction? I was thinking of helping him out financially with the "bridge" operation. Before I decide to do so, I wish to know if bridge is the best option for filling an empty spot from dental/medical point of view? I'd also like to hear people's experiences about bridge - Are they happy that they have got bridges installed in their months?
--------------------
To answer your first question, no - he should not just leave the spot empty in his mouth. Teeth tend to move forward, and if there is an empty spot, the teeth behind it will move to fill in the empty gap. This would affect his bite and could cause jaw problems in the future... As far as a good option, a bridge is a good option... Depending on how the bone is in that area, he might also look into an implant. With a bridge, he would get two crowns (on the remaining surrounding teeth) and a fake tooth in between (attached to each crown). He would have to be very careful about cleaning under it (ie: flossing) so that no food/bacteria collects there. Also, the bone where the tooth is missing would resorb because there is no tooth structure to support it, meaning it would basically disappear over time. With an implant, it would be a little easier to take care of because he wouldn't have to floss thread under it... he could just brush/floss like a regular tooth. Also, the bone would remain. And, I agree with the comment above. If there is a local dental school/residency, check with them. A lot of times, they are able to offer discounted services. Good luck!
Source