Implant or bridge for a missing tooth?

When the teeth beside the gap are healthy and untouched, an implant is often the more conservative choice, because it leaves them alone. When those teeth already have large fillings or need crowns anyway, a bridge can make sense.

An implant carries chewing forces into the jaw, which helps preserve the bone where the tooth was. Under a bridge, that bone slowly shrinks.

A bridge is usually quicker: two visits, with a temporary in between. An implant needs a few months to bond with the bone before its crown is made. Sometimes an implant can be placed the same day a tooth is removed; other times the site needs to heal or be grafted first.

An implant crown is brushed and flossed like a natural tooth. A bridge needs cleaning underneath, with a floss threader or a water flosser, and the teeth holding it can still decay at the edges of their crowns.

With good care, implants are designed to last many years. Bridges last well too, but are more likely to need replacing over time, often because of a problem with one of the teeth holding them.

What matters is the health of the neighboring teeth, how much bone you have, your general health and your preference. When your health and bone allow it, we recommend an implant. An exam and a 3D CBCT scan taken here in the office make the choice clear. Options for replacing missing teeth compares every option.