What’s Better: A Dental Implant or a Bridge?

• Pros and cons
• Costs
• How to choose
• Other treatment options
• Summary

Tooth loss is extremely common. It’s estimated that 69 percentTrusted Source of adults 35 to 44 have lost at least one adult tooth. By age 74, about a quarter of Americans lose all of their adult teeth.

When you lose a tooth, it’s essential to get a proper replacement to keep the rest of your teeth aligned. Replacement teeth can also help you maintain your facial shape and avoid difficulties with eating or speaking. Two of the most common options are dental bridges and implants.

Dental bridges are false teeth held in place by the teeth around your missing tooth. They’re usually made from materials like porcelain or plasticTrusted Source to match your natural tooth color. They can cover one or several missing teeth.

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots usually made from titanium. They’re mounted into your jawbone with screws to hold a crown or bridge in place.

Let’s compare the pros and cons of dental implants and bridges. We’ll also look at factors that can help you determine which option is better for you.

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Dental implants are artificial teeth implanted that allow bone to grow around the implant. Dental bridges are used to close the gap between missing teeth using crowns and artificial teeth. Illustration by Wenzdai Figueroa

Dental implant vs. bridge

Dental implants and bridges can both potentially deliver natural-looking results, but they come with their own benefits and drawbacks. Here’s a look at how these two tooth replacement options compare.

Dental bridge pros

• likely to be covered by insurance
• doesn’t require bone grafting or invasive surgery
• usually lower upfront cost than dental implants
• usually requires only two visits to your dentist spread over a couple of weeks

Dental bridge cons

• has to be replaced about every 5 to 7 years (although can last more than 10 years)
• loses a natural-looking appearance with age
• more cavities and tooth decay in surrounding teeth than with implants
• can damage the healthy teeth around the missing tooth

Dental implant pros

• can last 15 yearsTrusted Source or more and are the longest lasting option on the market
• retain natural-looking appearance longer than bridges
• don’t damage the healthy teeth around the implant
• very high 10-year success rate, around 97 percentTrusted Source

Dental implant cons

• less likely to be covered by insurance
• process can take up to 6 monthsTrusted Source
• higher upfront cost
• may lead to surgical complications

Implant vs. bridge cost

Dental bridges are generally cheaper upfront than implants and insurance is more likely to cover at least some of the cost. The prices can vary depending on:

• the type of implant or bridge you’re receiving
• the material used
• the extensiveness of the procedure
• where you live

According to the American Dental Association, a low-end dental bridge costs about $500 per tooth while more expensive bridges are up to $1,200. However, this doesn’t include the price of the dental crown that attaches the tooth to your nearby teeth. A crown can be another $500 to $2,500 per tooth.

Dental implants usually cost about $3,000 to $4,500 per tooth. Insurance is less likely to cover the cost of implants.

Even though implants cost more upfront, they tend to age better than bridges and don’t need to be replaced as often.

How to choose between an implant and a bridge

A dentist can advise you about the best tooth replacement for your situation. The best option for you depends on your budget, how many teeth you’re missing, and your overall health.

Cost

If you have dental insurance, it’s more likely that it will cover a dental bridge than an implant. If you don’t have insurance and both options are out of your price range, you may want to also talk to a dentist about partial dentures or other options.

Number of missing teeth

If you’re missing more than one consecutive tooth, a dental bridge is likely a better option than an implant. A separate implant needs to be surgically attached to your jawbone for each missing tooth, leading to expensive and often impractical surgery.

Overall health

Dental implants require surgery, so they may not be an option for people with medical conditions that slow down healing, such as diabetes or leukemia.

The best candidates for dental implants are in good overall health and have a jawbone free of decay that’s healthy enough to support the implant.

Time

The entire process of getting a dental implant can take months while a dental bridge can be installed in two trips to your dentist spread over a couple of weeks.

When getting a dental implant, an oral surgeon will drill into your jawbone and attach the root of the implant to the bone. They may insert a temporary denture while you wait for the bone to heal.

You’ll then have to wait anywhere 2 to 6 monthsTrusted Source for the bone to heal before a crown can be added.

Other options instead of bridges or implants

Bridges and implants aren’t the only options for replacing a lost tooth. Partial dentures and space maintainers may also be used.

Partial dentures

Partial dentures are usually made of plastic and metal. They fill gaps from one or several missing teeth.

Partial dentures often resemble your natural teeth and clip to your healthy teeth to stay in place. A dentist may recommend a denture when the teeth surrounding your missing tooth aren’t strong enough to support a bridge.

Although they’re generally cheaper than bridges or implants, they usually aren’t as comfortable or stable. They may also interfere with your eating or speaking and need to be cleaned daily.

Space maintainers

Space maintainers may be an option if you can’t afford to replace your tooth right away. They’re usually built from pieces of metal that prevent the teeth on either side of your missing tooth from shifting.

Space maintainers are also commonly used in children to allow adult teeth to emerge unobstructed.

An orthodontic retainer can also be used to keep the space of missing teeth. This will help keep the surrounding teeth from tipping into the space.

Takeaway

Dental implants and bridges are two options for replacing a missing tooth. Dental bridges are more likely to be covered by your insurance and require a smaller upfront cost.

If cost isn’t an issue and you’re in good overall health, dental implants may be the better option since they last longer and don’t damage your surrounding teeth. A dentist can helpyoudetermine which option is best for your situation.

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Dental Bridge

• Types
• Cost
• Use Case
• Outlook

If you have missing teeth, your dentist can bridge the gaps with dental bridges. A dental bridge is a false tooth (pontic) held in place by the teeth on either side of the gap.

Although pontics can be made from a variety of materials such as gold, typically, they’re made from porcelain to aesthetically blend in with your natural teeth. Read on to learn more.

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Dental bridge types

There are four main types of dental bridges:

• traditional
• cantilever
• Maryland
• implant-supported

Traditional dental bridge

A traditional dental bridge consists of a false tooth or teeth being held in place by dental crowns that have been cemented onto each of the abutment teeth. A traditional bridge is the most popular type of dental bridge and can be used when you have natural teeth on both sides of the gap created by your missing tooth.

Cantilever dental bridge

Although similar to a traditional bridge, the pontic in a cantilever dental bridge is held in place by a dental crown that is cemented to only one abutment tooth. For a cantilever bridge, you only need one natural tooth next to the missing tooth gap.

Maryland dental bridge

Similar to a traditional bridge, Maryland dental bridges employ two natural abutment teeth, one on each side of the gap. However, while a traditional bridge uses dental crowns on the abutment teeth, a Maryland bridge uses a framework of either metal or porcelain that is bonded onto the backs of the abutment teeth.

Like a traditional bridge, a Maryland bridge can only be used when you have a natural tooth on each side of the gap caused by the missing tooth or teeth.

Implant-supported dental bridge

As the name implies, implant-supported bridges use dental implants as opposed to crowns or frameworks. Typically, one implant is surgically placed for every missing tooth, and these implants hold the bridge in position. If one implant for each missing tooth isn’t possible, the bridge may have a pontic suspended between two implant-supported crowns.

Considered the strongest and most stable system, an implant-supported bridge commonly requires two surgeries:

• one to embed the implants in the jawbone
• a second surgery to place the bridge

It can take a number of months for the procedure to be completely finished.

What does a dental bridge cost?

There are many variables that can affect the price including:

• number of teeth needed to fill the gap
• materials used, such as composite resin, zirconia, or metal alloy covered in resin
• complexity/difficulty of the placement
• additional treatments for other dental issues, such as gum disease
• geographic location

The costs also depend on the type of bridge that you select:

• Traditional or cantilever bridges typically cost $2,000 – $5,000 for one pontic and a crown for each abutment tooth.
• Maryland bridges typically cost $1,500 – $2,500 for one pontic with the framework, or wings, attached to the abutment teeth.
• An implant-supported bridge could cost $5,000 – $15,000 for a bridge with two dental implants spanning three or four teeth.

Dental bridge vs. dental implant

Many dental insurance plans cover bridges, and many now cover implants as well. A dental bridge may need to be replaced every 5 to 15 years, depending on proper care, while implants are considered a permanent solution. There are factors that can reduce the life of all types of bridges, including implants, such as dental hygiene.

Why do I need a dental bridge?

When you have a missing tooth or missing teeth, it can affect you in a number of ways. A dental bridge can address those changes, including:

• restoring your smile
• restoring the ability to properly chew
• restoring your speech and pronunciation
• maintaining the shape of your face
• re-adjusting your bite to properly distribute the force when you chew
• preventing your remaining teeth from moving out of the correct position

Outlook

If you’re missing a tooth or a number of teeth, you have different replacement options to discuss with your dentist. There are many benefits to using dental bridges, and there are many factors — including costs — that you should consider before making a decision.

Dentures, Bridges or Dental Implants

• Dental Implants, Dental Tips

Dentures, Bridges, or Dental Implants: An Honest Comparison

• Dentures, bridges or dental implants – when it comes to replacing missing teeth, you’ve got options. But how do you know which option is best for you?

  Like most things related to health, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, so you need to understand your options before you can make the right choice.

  Just looking for the basic differences? 

• Here they are:

• Dental implants are the strongest, most natural-feeling option, but also the priciest.
• Dentures give you a full-looking smile, but have limitations in function and comfort.
• Bridges are a good choice if you’re only missing a few teeth and have healthy teeth around them for support.
• Of course, for a decision as important as restoring your smile, it doesn’t make sense to just look at the basics, so let’s dive into the benefits and drawbacks of each option.
• Dentures

  Dentures are used to replace the teeth that have been lost due to poor oral health or an accident. They’re probably one of the oldest and most proven forms of replacement teeth, but they’re far from the best when it comes to fit, comfort, function, and – oftentimes – aesthetics.

  When we lose our teeth, the bone in the area atrophies — it shrinks in both width and height. This happens very rapidly within the first six months but then continues throughout our lives. The bone in the jaw is much like our muscles — if we exercise it, we maintain its muscle mass. As soon as we stop, we lose it. The bone mass in the jaws is maintained as long as there is some function being supported through the teeth (or implants); if there are no teeth, there’s no function, and the bone atrophies.

  This becomes very significant in later years, because – when the bone shrinks – the changes that occur make having a comfortable and secure denture very difficult. For this reason, people who have recently begun wearing dentures have much fewer problems than those that have worn them for ten years or more.

  One American study done around 1990 found that approximately 20% of the population who have had full dentures for a long time (~20 years or more) find it more comfortable to eat without their dentures than to keep them in!

  There are 2 types of dentures: partial and complete. Complete dentures are used in cases where there are no teeth in one or both jaws. Partial dentures are used when there are still some natural teeth present in one of the arches. Full or partial dentures are designed to sit on the gums and are removable by the patient. Fitting these types of dentures requires your dentist to take impressions or molds of your teeth and gums which are then used to make the custom-fitting dentures.

  Full dentures are held in place by suction to the gum tissue, although the amount of suction can be very poor, hence many patients are forced to “glue” them in using a denture adhesive. Denture adhesives become messy, can affect taste, and – in over 25 years of providing dentures – I have never met a patient who has said they really enjoy using adhesives. Usually it has just become an unfortunate necessity.

  Partial dentures are usually held in place by the teeth. Although they’re much more secure than full dentures, they sometimes still put pressure on the gums and can be uncomfortable, especially when food gets underneath. They can also create cavities or gum problems with the remaining teeth if they aren’t diligently cleaned after every meal and snack.

  Denture Materials
• Today’s dentures are made from acrylic, which is a type of plastic — this is what the pink portion of the denture is made of. The teeth are either acrylic or porcelain. In the past, porcelain was preferred because it was more aesthetic, however today’s acrylics are equal if not superior in many ways.
• Denture Care
• Dentures are cleaned the same way you would clean your own teeth, although they come with the added convenience of being removable. While you may no longer have your original set of teeth, hygiene is still extremely important to prevent bad breath, plaque, tartar and gum disease. Dentures should always be removed at night and stored in a special solution which cleans the dentures and helps them to retain their shape.
• Dentures: The Benefits & Drawbacks

  Traditional dentures are typically the most affordable method of replacing teeth.

  They can be made to look very natural, and if you have some remaining teeth, these teeth can be used to help secure and stabilize the denture.

  Also, they can often be made fairly quickly, within two to three weeks. (We’re fortunate to have an in-house denturist whose great work often lets us reduce the time and number of appointments to one or two weeks).

  The biggest drawback of dentures is their comfort and functionality. Unfortunately, dentures can be like having an artificial limb — they can look very natural, but they don’t always compare with the original in terms of function.

  Overall they help by providing areas of the mouth to chew foods, but you may need to avoid certain foods that are very hard, tough, or sticky. Every person is different because the stability, fit, and comfort depends a lot on factors such as the remaining bony ridge, shape of the arch (jaws) etc. Some people can manage very well, while – unfortunately – others may have difficulty with dentures.

  Dental Bridges

  While there are a few different types of dental bridges, they’re all based on the same principle: using the surrounding teeth to provide support for a tooth prosthetic.

  If you need to replace a single tooth or a small number of teeth, they can be a great middle-ground option, offering more strength than a partial denture and at a lower cost than a dental implant.

  Dental Bridge Materials

  Dental bridges are available in a variety of materials, like ceramic, porcelain, zirconium, and composite.

  Each comes with its own advantages and drawbacks but, here at VCCID, I generally recommend that patients receive a dental bridge made from pure dental-grade porcelain or a blend of porcelain and zirconium.

  These metal-free options give your smile a natural, realistic look while still offering a high degree of strength and durability.

  Dental Bridge Care

  Since it’s firmly secured to the teeth around it, caring for a dental bridge is very similar to caring for your natural teeth.

  You’ll need to brush and floss around the bridge, and I’d certainly encourage you to rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash for an added layer of protection in those hard-to-reach areas.

  Dental Bridges: Benefits & Drawbacks

  Compared to an alternative like a partial denture, a dental bridge can replace missing teeth in a way that feels much more natural and secure, and it can do so at a more affordable price point compared to a solution that involves dental implants.

  The downside to this is that everything depends on the teeth supporting the bridge being healthy and strong enough to last. Attaching a dental bridge affects the supporting teeth both during the preparation stage and during everyday use, as the pressure on the unsupported teeth in the dental bridge needs to be carried by the adjoining teeth.

  In my experience, this added pressure on the adjoining teeth makes dental bridges less suitable for replacing teeth near the back of your mouth (molars), since those teeth are already relied on for handling tough, hard, and chewy foods.

  If the surrounding teeth aren’t strong enough, the entire bridge will be at risk of failing, and you’ll likely be better off looking into an option like a partial denture or implant-supported bridge.

Dental Implants

Implants today are without question the best way to replace missing teeth.

The long term success (10+ years) with implants is over 98% if the treatment is planned according to sound scientific and clinical protocol and principles. This success rate is far greater than tooth supported bridges, and the result is far more functional and comfortable than traditional dentures.

Dental Implant Materials

The most common dental implant today is an endosseous implant — that simply means it’s placed into the jaw so that it can fuse – “osseointegrate” is the medical term – directly with the bone to provide a strong, robust fit.

Dental implants are usually made from titanium or titanium alloy, although ceramic implants are now available in a material called zirconia. This strong, lightweight metal does not react adversely in the human body, making rejection a non-factor.

There are some other implant materials which have been used: stainless steel, cobalt chromium molybdenum alloy and vitallium. These are used for a different style and process of implants compared to the endosseous implants and – although they’re not as frequently used – can be a very successful and viable alternative for some patients.

Dental Implant Procedure

Dental implant evaluations focus on two key areas: firstly, they assess whether the candidate has enough bone and gum tissue to support a dental implant, and – secondly – they determine if there are any medical/health issues which may complicate the procedure. X-rays will be required to evaluate the implant sites for bone volume, density and overall dental health.

• The first stage, the implant surgeon will place a dental implant into the upper or lower jawbone beneath the gum tissue. The healing time varies depending on the general health of the patient but is usually a minimum of three months.
• A second stage of the surgery may be necessary to uncover the implant after it is healed. The dentist will attach an abutment to the implant. The abutment is the post which protrudes above the gums and allows the dentist to attach teeth.
• The artificial tooth made by your dentist that is attached to the tooth may take 2 or 3 visits to properly fit in the oral cavity.
• In some cases implants can be placed the same day that a tooth is extracted.
• In some cases permanent teeth (“teeth in a day”) can be placed and attached to the implants the very same day that the implant is placed.

Dental Implant Care

You still need to care for your implant teeth much the same way you did with your natural teeth. Regular maintenance includes daily flossing, brushing, and rinsing to prevent gum disease from developing, as well as scheduled checkups to clean your teeth and check on the state of your dental implants.

Dental Implants: The Benefits and Drawbacks

In my opinion, the biggest benefit of dental implants is their ability to restore comfort, function and aesthetics to a person who has lost one or more teeth. The other significant advantage they have is their tremendous success rate compared to other alternatives — they are very, very reliable!

Consider that the top 3 reasons we lose our natural teeth is due to decay, gum disease and fracture of our teeth. Implants do not decay, and we rarely see a fracture of an implant, especially if the treatment is planned properly.

Although implants can experience bone loss, they do not have the same attachment mechanism as natural teeth (ligaments), and the bone loss can, once again, be minimized with proactive treatment planning and engineering of the implants and teeth.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, dental implants give you permanent teeth again — you don’t have to take them out at night and put them back in the morning. They look just like real teeth (and sometimes better), while the surface of the artificial teeth are more stain-resistant than natural enamel.

The one major drawback? Price.

Dental implants are, for most people, a significant investment in comfort and functionality. The materials require a significant amount of custom-fitting and preparation, the surgery itself is complex and invasive, and there are a large number of visits before and after the treatment.

It all adds up to single dental implants typically having a four-figure price tag attached to them, with more extensive multi-tooth restorations potentially reaching into the five-figure range.

Admittedly, when it comes to a full set of upper or lower implants and teeth, this can become expensive for many people. With that in mind, it’s wise to do your own research and make sure you’re fully comfortable with the treatment options you’ve received, the costs, as well as the dentist(s) providing the work for you.

 

A Note About The Cost of Dental Implants

As a reassuring word regarding the long term value and benefit of implants, I’d like to share this true story:

 

Many years ago, I had a patient comment that the work was “the price of a small car”. I could not disagree. However, that was over 20 years ago, and if it had been a car it no doubt would have gone through several repairs, servicing and most likely have already been replaced with a newer (and more expensive!) one.

 

However the implants and teeth that were eventually done for this patient are still in place and fully functioning with nothing more than simple cleaning appointments a couple of times per year.

 

Although I can’t guarantee this will be the same for every single implant/patient, in my experience I’m happy to say that this is quite typical of the majority of implants placed and restored here at VCCID.

Making Your Choice

That was a lot of detail, so let’s recap:

Dentures are a great option if…

• Budget is a key consideration for you
• You need a complete smile replacement
• You’re looking to restore your smile quickly

Bridges are a great option if…

• You only need to replace one or a few teeth
• Your remaining teeth are strong and healthy
• You’re missing teeth closer to the front of your mouth

Dental implants are a great option if…

• You’re looking for the strongest, most reliable solution
• You’re willing to pay a premium for strength and durability
• You don’t mind waiting a bit longer to restore your smile

All three can be great options for restoring your smile — it really just depends on your case and what your budget can accommodate.