- Bridges are initially less expensive, but may require unnecessary treatment on adjacent teeth. Implants are more expensive but do not affect other teeth and last a lifetime.
- Cost is an important factor in the final decision. The cost of either option will depend on the location, number of units, and additional procedures required.
- Consult your doctor to choose the tooth replacement option that is best for you.
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Not sure whether to choose a bridge or an implant? Here's everything you need to know.
How to compare dental bridge versus implant
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You will need to factor in several things when comparing a dental implant to a bridge. Choosing between the two is not always easy, and you should work with your dentist to decide which option is best suited to you.
Harry Lee, DMD, warns: "The choice between a dental bridge and a dental implant is the most significant tooth-replacement decision a patient makes, and I always frame it as a choice between a short-term discount and a long-term investment. In my practice, patients are initially drawn to the bridge because the upfront cost is lower. They see it as a quicker, non-surgical option for addressing a missing tooth."
Candidate profile
While nearly all people can have a bridge placed, the same is not true for implant candidates. There are a few pieces of your medical and dental history to consider.
First, your tobacco use. Smoking causes an increased risk for the failure of both bridges and implants. It harms the gum tissue and is often associated with bone loss. Smoking can decrease the length of time your bridge will last, but a bridge is still an option for those who smoke. However, smoking will greatly reduce the success rate of an implant. The likelihood of the implant integrating with the bone is slim. Your dentist will probably not recommend an implant if you are a current smoker.
The same is true for those with uncontrolled diabetes and/or periodontal disease (gum disease). Both of these conditions impact the healing process and bone stabilization, making implants not an ideal choice for these patients. The good news is, both conditions are treatable. Once they have been treated and are in a stable condition, an implant may be an option.
Procedure and recovery
A bridge is less invasive than an implant. Placing a dental implant is considered a form of dental surgery, whereas a bridge is more of a routine procedure, much like placing a crown.
A bridge can be completed in two appointments. The first appointment will last approximately one to two hours, which is when most of the work is done. A second visit will be needed a couple weeks later, after the final bridge has been fabricated by the lab. The second appointment is relatively quick. Recovery time is minimal - the tissue in the area may be tender for a couple of days, but there should be no discomfort.
The process of placing an implant can take several months. Once the implant is placed in the jawbone, it will need to heal for about three months before the implant crown is placed. There are usually several visits leading up to the initial implant placement. You may need a day to recover from the implant placement. It is a more invasive procedure and your dentist may prescribe pain medications as needed.
One important thing to note is that when an implant is placed, there is no damage to the surrounding teeth. A bridge requires that the surrounding teeth also undergo the procedure. You will need at least one tooth on either side of the missing tooth to place a bridge. These “abutment” teeth will need to be shaped in order for the bridge to be placed on top of them. If the teeth are healthy, this causes unnecessary treatment and weakens their integrity.
Complications can occur in any dental procedure, but more can occur with an implant placement versus a bridge. Most complications are a result of health factors, so your dentist should do a thorough review of your medical history before recommending an implant. There can also be complications during the procedure, but a 3D scan of the area reduces those complications.
Everyday care
Implants are easy to care for. Simply brush and floss your implant along with the rest of your teeth. While they can’t decay, it is possible for the gum tissue around the implant to become inflamed and even infected, so it is still important to floss and keep the area clean.
Bridges require an extra step in their maintenance. You should brush your bridge along with the rest of your teeth and floss on either side of it. You’ll also need to floss under the pontic (the fake tooth) to remove any food particles. To do this, you’ll need a floss threader or a piece of floss with a rigid end. A floss threader is much like a needle and thread. It allows you to thread the floss under the bridge, and then floss the entire area. You should do this at least once per day.
Durability
There is no question that an implant has more durability than a bridge. A bridge may last 10-15 years if it is taken care of properly. An implant can last a lifetime. The titanium cylinder integrates with the bone and is resistant to bacteria, unlike bridges.
Appearance
Implants and bridges can both blend in with the surrounding teeth. An implant is going to be more aesthetic since it will be shaped to the gum tissue surrounding it, making it look like it is protruding from the gums, which it is!
A bridge can have a similar appearance at first, but the gum tissue and bone will begin to recede from under the pontic, making the bridge more noticeable. Plus, the pontic will be fused to the abutments (the real teeth that serve as ends of the “bridge), so it may be noticed that there is no space between the teeth.
Implant vs. bridge cost
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One of the first questions many patients have is related to the cost of either procedure. Of course, the cost is understandably a key factor in making the final decision.
The cost of both implants and bridges will depend heavily on your location. There are other considerations as well that will affect your total treatment cost. For instance, a bridge can replace one or more teeth, depending on how many “units” the bridge spans. Implants may require additional procedures like bone grafts and membrane placement, and your cost will depend on how many implants you are receiving.
The average cost of a 3-unit bridge is between $3,000 and $5,000. Most insurance companies offer benefits for bridges. They are considered “major” coverage, and many companies offer 50% coverage on major services. There is some fine print regarding insurance payments for bridges, so be sure to check the specifics of your dental insurance plan.
The average cost for a single implant is between $3,500 and $6,700. More and more insurance companies are offering implant benefits. Like bridges, they typically fall under the “major” services category. Keep in mind that your plan likely has annual limits on how much it will contribute, and implants usually exceed those limits.
Tooth bridge vs. implant: pros and cons summary
We have covered a significant amount of information on the pros and cons of implants and bridges. The two main areas of concern that most patients have are cost and effectiveness.
Bridges are less expensive initially and have fewer restrictions on who is a good candidate for the procedure. However, they cause unnecessary treatment on neighboring teeth and can lead to more extensive treatment down the road.
"The implant, by contrast, is a standalone solution," Lee points out.
"It replaces the root with a titanium post, stimulates the jawbone, and does absolutely nothing to the adjacent healthy teeth. While the initial investment is higher, the long-term cost is almost always lower because you are not paying to maintain or repair the two neighboring teeth," he explains, adding: "An implant is designed to last a lifetime and preserve the overall health and structure of your mouth, making it the superior clinical choice for most patients."
Implants are more expensive but cause no problems with any other teeth and last a lifetime.
FAQ
Is a bridge better than an implant for front tooth replacement?
Implants have been the best way to replace a missing tooth for quite some time now. An implant is especially beneficial for replacing a front tooth because it helps preserve the bone.
A bridge is still an excellent tooth replacement option, but it will not stabilize the bone. The bone around the missing tooth will begin to resorb, and you may start to notice a gap between the pontic (the fake tooth) and the gum tissue. This will become increasingly noticeable over time.
Which solution: implant or bridge, is more cost-effective?
While implants have a higher upfront cost, they are more cost-effective over time. Once an implant is placed, it has a 97% success rate. There is an excellent chance you will never have to replace that implant.
A bridge, on the other hand, will need to be replaced over time. Unlike implants, bridges can get decay under them, which would be a cause for replacement. Also, if enough of the bone is resorbed over time, the teeth that support the bridge could become mobile. This is especially true in cases of periodontal disease.
Are implants and bridges the only options for tooth restoration?
Implants and bridges are not the only options for restoring a missing tooth. Full and partial dentures can also replace missing teeth. However, dentures will need to be taken in and out of the mouth daily and can actually cause excessive wear on the remaining teeth.
Also, dentures do not stabilize the bone, so the bone that supports the denture or partial denture will resorb over time, leading to ill-fitting dentures.
Harry Lee, DMD
I explain that a bridge requires permanently shaving down the two healthy teeth on either side of the gap to serve as anchors. We are sacrificing good, natural tooth structure to support the replacement. Based on decades of clinical experience, this is one of the most significant long-term drawbacks. These now-modified abutment teeth are permanently compromised and require diligent hygiene, often becoming prone to decay or root canal issues years down the line, ultimately requiring additional treatment.