Replacing a missing tooth: implants, bridges and dentures compared

A missing tooth affects more than your smile. Nearby teeth can drift into the gap, your bite can change, and the jawbone in that area slowly shrinks. The good news is that there are several good ways to replace teeth. Here is how the main options compare.

Dental implants

An implant is a small titanium post placed in the jawbone, where it bonds with the bone and acts as a new root. It can support a single crown, a bridge or a denture.

• Pros: the closest to a natural tooth in look, feel and function; helps preserve the jawbone; doesn’t involve neighboring teeth; can last for decades with good care.
• Considerations: requires minor surgery and a few months of healing; needs enough healthy bone; usually the highest upfront cost.

Read more about how dental implants work, or about replacing several or all teeth with implants.

Fixed bridges

A fixed bridge fills the gap with a false tooth held by crowns on the teeth on either side.

• Pros: fixed in place; looks natural; usually completed in a few weeks without surgery.
• Considerations: the supporting teeth must be reshaped for crowns, even if they are healthy; the bone under the gap isn’t preserved; requires careful cleaning under the bridge.

Partial and full dentures

Dentures are removable replacement teeth. A partial denture fills gaps between remaining teeth, while a full denture replaces a whole arch.

• Pros: the least invasive and usually the least expensive option; can replace many teeth at once; modern materials look much more natural than in the past.
• Considerations: can move while eating or speaking; need to be removed for cleaning; may need relining or replacing as the jawbone changes. Implants can be added later to hold a denture firmly in place.

How to decide

The right choice depends on how many teeth are missing and where, the health of your gums, neighboring teeth and jawbone, your general health, and your budget and timeline. Some people combine options, such as an implant for one gap and a bridge for another.

At SmileNY Dental, we’ll examine your mouth, take digital X-rays and walk you through the options that suit your situation, including the costs, so you can make a confident decision. Contact us to schedule a consultation.