One Missing Tooth: Implant or Bridge?
Both an implant and a bridge fill the gap with a fixed tooth that you don’t take out. The real difference is what holds the new tooth in place. A bridge is held by the teeth on either side of the gap, which are shaped to take crowns. An implant is a small titanium post placed in the jawbone with a crown on top, and it leaves the neighbouring teeth alone. Which one suits you depends mostly on the health of those neighbouring teeth, your gums and bone, and your general health.
Why replace one missing tooth at all
When a tooth is missing, the teeth beside it, and the one above or below it, can slowly drift and tip into the space. That can change how your teeth meet and make chewing harder. If you’re going to replace it, sooner is simpler: leave it a few years and the other teeth may have moved.
How a bridge works
The teeth on either side of the gap are shaped and fitted with crowns, and the replacement tooth is joined between them. The whole bridge is fixed in place, so you can’t take it out. You clean underneath it with small aids such as a floss threader, and we’ll show you how.
A bridge is only as strong as the teeth holding it, so keeping those teeth and your gums healthy matters a great deal.
A bridge can be a good fit when:
- the teeth on either side already have large fillings or crowns, so shaping them costs little healthy tooth
- you would rather not have surgery, or surgery isn’t advisable for you
- there isn’t enough bone for an implant, and you’d prefer not to have a bone graft
How an implant works
An implant is a small titanium post placed in the jawbone where the tooth used to be. Over the following weeks or months, the bone grows around it and holds it firmly. A crown is then fixed on top. Because it stands on its own, the teeth next to it are not shaped or crowned.
Placing an implant is a surgical procedure, and there needs to be enough bone to hold it. If the bone has thinned, it may need building up with a graft first, which adds time and cost.
Being older doesn’t rule you out; your general health counts for more. Diabetes, smoking and chewing tobacco can all slow healing, so we’ll ask about them before planning an implant.
An implant can be a good fit when:
- the teeth on either side are healthy and you’d rather not have them shaped for crowns
- there is enough healthy bone, or you’re happy to have a graft if it’s needed
- your gums are healthy and you can keep them that way
Side by side
| Bridge | Implant | |
|---|---|---|
| The teeth either side | shaped and crowned to hold the bridge | left as they are |
| Surgery | none | surgery to place the post |
| Time | usually quicker, with no waiting for bone to heal | longer, because the bone needs time to heal around the post first, sometimes several months |
| What it needs | healthy teeth on either side | enough bone, healthy gums, and general health that allows healing |
| Cleaning | clean under the false tooth with a threader or similar aid | brush and clean around it like a natural tooth; healthy gums are essential |
How long either one lasts depends on the same things: how well you clean, the health of your gums and the teeth around it, and regular check-ups.
What it costs
The cost depends on the materials, how many teeth are involved, whether a graft is needed, and the crown on top. You’ll get the cost for your case, for each option that suits you, before any treatment starts.
What we check at the consultation
We look at the teeth on either side of the gap, your gums, how much bone there is, how your teeth meet, and your general health. Then we go through which options suit you and what each one involves, and you decide.
Who you'll see
At our Kondapur clinic, the work of Dr. Paramveer Singh Malik, a prosthodontist and implantologist, includes dental implants, crowns and bridges. A prosthodontist’s training is in restoring damaged teeth and replacing missing ones, and he’ll go through both options with you.
To book a consultation, call us on +91 8919841783 or message us on WhatsApp, or find directions and timings on our Kondapur clinic page. You can read more about dental implants, crowns and bridges, and the different fixed ways to replace teeth.
Common question
Can I still have an implant if I lost the tooth years ago? It may still be possible. But the teeth around the gap may have moved, and if there isn’t enough bone left, a graft may be needed first. We check both before suggesting anything.
