One missing tooth: implant or bridge?
Do You Know? For patients.
When one tooth is missing, the two most common fixed options are an implant with a crown, or a bridge supported by the teeth on either side. Both can work well. The right choice depends on your teeth, your bone and your priorities.
How they work
Implant crown: a small titanium or zirconia post is placed in the bone, and a crown is fixed on top. The neighbouring teeth are not touched.
Bridge: the teeth on each side of the gap are shaped to hold crowns, which carry a false tooth in the middle.
Both are fixed in place and are not removed at night.
What the research shows
A systematic review comparing single implant crowns and short bridges found similar failure rates and similar long-term costs overall.
The same review found that the benefit of keeping healthy neighbouring teeth unprepared tipped the balance in favour of the implant in many cases.
For single implants in the front of the upper jaw, long-term results were similar whether the implant was placed immediately or after healing, when cases were chosen carefully.
When each one may suit you
An implant often suits you when the neighbouring teeth are healthy and unfilled, and there is enough bone or it can be built up.
A bridge may suit you when the neighbouring teeth already need crowns, when implant surgery is not advisable for medical reasons, or when you prefer to avoid surgery.
Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, gum disease and heavy grinding affect both options and are checked before planning.
Questions to ask at your consultation
What is the condition of the teeth next to the gap?
Is there enough bone, and will I need grafting?
How long does each option take, and what does maintenance look like?
Related: Dental implants
This article is general information and not a substitute for an examination.
References
Scheuber S, Hicklin S, Brägger U. Implants versus short-span fixed bridges: survival, complications, patients' benefits. A systematic review on economic aspects. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2012;23 Suppl 6:50-62. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0501.2012.02543.x
Pommer B, Danzinger M, Leite Aiquel L, Pitta J, Haas R. Long-term outcomes of maxillary single-tooth implants in relation to timing protocols of implant placement and loading: systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2021;32 Suppl 21:56-66. doi:10.1111/clr.13838
Comments