Comparison of Implant and Bridge for Single Tooth Loss

Is an implant or a bridge tooth better for a single missing tooth?

Teeth basically have two main parts;

1. The crown, the part you see in the mouth (in English, the crown is the crown of the tooth)
2. The root is the part that wraps around the bone and holds the tooth in place.

How is a Single Tooth Missing Implant Performed?

A dental implant is actually the process of replacing the root of a tooth, and unlike a tooth root, the implant actually fuses with the jawbone. A crown is attached to the top of the implant and it becomes a stand-alone tooth that functions and looks like the natural tooth you lost. The basic prerequisites for a successful implant are:

• Bone of sufficient quantity and quality to anchor and support the implant,
• Healthy adjacent teeth and gums
• The quality of the adjacent teeth will give a natural and better looking result

How is a dental bridge made when a single tooth is missing?

In contrast, a fixed bridge is a crown or dental prosthesis that is fixed in place of the missing tooth by connecting to nearby natural adjacent teeth. The tooth to be replaced is called a “pontic”, from the French “pont” for bridge. The adjacent teeth, called abutments, provide support on both sides, like a bridge spanning a river or canyon. The way the bridge is attached is that the abutment teeth are “prepared” by removing the enamel layer and replaced with crowns to which the artificial tooth is attached. Thus, a three-unit bridge is three crowns joined together, with the center crown being a false tooth, and the side crowns cemented or attached to the adjacent natural teeth.

Would you recommend an implant or a bridge for a single missing tooth?

You should talk to your dentist about your individualized treatment plan for tooth loss. You should discuss all relevant risks, benefits and alternative solutions with your dentist and choose the most suitable option for you. Here we will try to give preliminary information about the advantages and disadvantages of implants and bridges.

Advantages of dental implants

• functional, predictable
• Does not affect adjacent teeth
• Does not decompose
• Less likely to develop gum disease

Disadvantages of dental implants

• More expensive
• Requires more planning time
• Requires minor surgery (All implant surgeries in our clinic are performed by an experienced surgeon dentist)
• Requires healing time before permanent tooth placement

Advantages of bridges

• Aesthetic, functional, predictable, reliable
• Cheaper
• Less time needed for treatment

Disadvantages of bridges

• Shorter lifespan than implants
• Enamel of adjacent teeth must be removed
• If adjacent teeth have crowns, they need to be redone
• Tooth decay is a potential problem
• Root canal treatment may be required if nerves are affected
• Higher tendency to gum disease