Dental Implants vs. Bridges: Which Is Right for You?

Losing a tooth affects more than your smile - neighbouring teeth drift, chewing becomes uneven and the jawbone in the gap slowly shrinks. The two most common fixed replacements are implants and bridges.

Dental implant

A titanium post is placed in the jawbone and, once healed, topped with a crown.

Pros

• Doesn't touch the neighbouring teeth
• Preserves jawbone
• Can last 20+ years with good care
• Feels most like a natural tooth

Cons

• Requires minor surgery and healing time (usually 3–6 months)
• Higher upfront cost
• Needs adequate bone (grafting is sometimes required)

Dental bridge

The teeth on either side of the gap are shaped and crowned, with a false tooth suspended between them.

Pros

• No surgery; typically completed in 1–2 weeks
• Lower initial cost
• Good option when the neighbouring teeth already need crowns

Cons

• Healthy neighbouring teeth must be trimmed
• Bone under the gap continues to shrink
• Average lifespan 10–15 years; the whole bridge is replaced if one part fails

Quick comparison

	Implant	Bridge
Surgery	Yes (minor)	No
Time to finish	3–6 months	1–2 weeks
Affects adjacent teeth	No	Yes
Preserves bone	Yes	No
Typical lifespan	20+ years	10–15 years

Talk to a specialist

Our prosthodontist and implantologists plan every case with digital X-rays and will walk you through both options honestly. Book a consultation at either clinic.