Should I choose an implant or a bridge?
Both replace a missing tooth. A bridge rests on the neighbouring teeth, which have to be reshaped; an implant stands on its own. The right choice depends on the condition of the neighbouring teeth and of the bone.
Dental implants
A conventional bridge is a fixed prosthesis supported by the two teeth on either side of the gap. These teeth have to be reshaped to receive crowns. If they are already damaged or crowned, this is not necessarily a drawback. If they are healthy, reshaping them is a sacrifice to weigh carefully.
An implant, by contrast, is self-supporting: it requires no work on the neighbouring teeth. It does, however, require enough bone, a minor surgical procedure and a healing period before the final crown is fitted.
Other factors come into play: your general health, your oral hygiene, smoking, the time you can devote to treatment and your budget. There is no single answer that is right for everyone.
At the consultation, the dentist examines the area concerned, presents the possible options with their advantages and their limits, then gives you a written estimate for each solution considered, so that you can decide with peace of mind.
This is a general answer. Only a consultation at the practice can tell what suits your situation.
Other questions in this section
- What is a dental implant?
- Can an implant be placed when there is not enough bone?
- Does having an implant placed hurt?
- How long does implant treatment take?
- How long does an implant last and how should I look after it?
- What affects the cost of an implant?
- The treatment in detail : Dental implants
- See the whole section
- All frequently asked questions