The short answer
If the teeth either side of the gap are healthy and untouched, an implant usually preserves more of your mouth. If those teeth already need crowns, a bridge can solve both problems at once.
How each option works
A bridge fills the gap with a false tooth that is joined to crowns on the teeth either side. Those supporting teeth have to be shaped to make room for the crowns.
An implant replaces the missing root with a titanium post and carries its own crown. The neighbouring teeth are left alone.
When an implant tends to be the better choice
- The teeth next to the gap are healthy and have little or no filling.
- You want to protect the bone in the area, which can shrink when a root is missing.
- You are happy with a longer treatment time.
When a bridge makes sense
- The neighbouring teeth already have large fillings or need crowns anyway.
- There is not enough bone for an implant and you would prefer to avoid grafting.
- Medical reasons, or smoking, make implant surgery less predictable.
- You need a fixed tooth quickly.
Questions to ask at your consultation
Ask how long each option is expected to last in your mouth, what happens if it fails, what the total cost is including maintenance, and what the dentist would choose in your position. A good plan explains the trade-offs rather than selling one answer.
Read more about dental implants and crowns and bridges.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, an implant or a bridge?
A bridge often costs less up front. Over many years the difference narrows, because a bridge may need replacing and puts more load on its supporting teeth.
Which is quicker?
A bridge can be completed in a few weeks. An implant usually takes several months because the bone needs time to bond to it.
Sources
- [Source 1]
This article is general information and not a substitute for an examination by a dentist.