Dental implant or bridge: how to decide

If you have lost a tooth, the two fixed options you will hear about most are a dental implant and a bridge. Both give you a tooth that stays in place. The right choice depends less on which is "better" in general and more on the condition of the teeth next to the gap, the bone underneath it and how much time you have.

The short answer

An implant replaces the root of the missing tooth with a small titanium post, so the neighbouring teeth are left untouched. A bridge uses the neighbouring teeth as supports: they are shaped and covered with crowns that hold the replacement tooth between them. Implants usually take two visits a few months apart; a bridge can usually be completed in one stay.

When an implant is often the better fit

• The teeth either side of the gap are healthy and you would rather not have them shaped for crowns
• There is enough healthy bone, or bone can be rebuilt
• You can make two trips, because the implant needs around three to six months to bond with the bone
• You want to help preserve the bone where the tooth was lost

When a bridge is often the better fit

• The neighbouring teeth already have large fillings or crowns and would benefit from being covered
• Bone loss is significant and rebuilding it is not possible or not wanted
• Health conditions or medication make surgery less advisable
• You need the treatment completed within a single visit

What we look at before recommending either

We examine the gap and the teeth around it, take X-rays or a 3D scan to see the bone, and go through your medical history and medication. We also ask how you bite and whether you grind your teeth, because both options need to cope with those forces. Then we explain the options that genuinely suit your situation, with the stages, number of days and cost for each in your written plan.

Looking after either option

Neither an implant nor a bridge can decay in the way a natural tooth does, but the gum and bone around them can still become inflamed. Daily cleaning, including between and under the replacement, and regular check-ups matter just as much as the treatment itself.

If you would like us to look at your case, you can send photos or X-rays through our consultation form and a dentist will review them. You can also read more about dental implants and crowns and bridges.