How a bridge works
A bridge is a false tooth held in place by crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap. Those neighboring teeth are reshaped to accept the crowns. The result is fixed, looks natural and is usually completed in two or three visits over a few weeks.
How an implant works
An implant is a small titanium post placed in the jaw where the root used to be. Over a few months the bone fuses to it, and then a crown is attached on top. It stands alone, so the neighboring teeth are left untouched, and it stimulates the bone the way a natural root does.
Longevity and maintenance
A well-made bridge typically lasts ten to fifteen years and then needs replacing, partly because the supporting teeth remain vulnerable to decay beneath the crowns. Implants, with normal care, routinely last decades. Both are cleaned like natural teeth, though a bridge needs floss threaded underneath it.
Cost and timing
A bridge costs less up front and is finished sooner. An implant costs more initially but is often cheaper over a lifetime because it rarely needs replacing and protects the neighboring teeth. Insurance frequently covers a portion of either; we check your plan and give you a written estimate for both options so you can compare real numbers.
Which one is right for you
If the teeth next to the gap already need crowns, a bridge can solve two problems at once. If they are healthy, an implant preserves them. Implants also need adequate bone, which an X-ray or scan will show; where bone is thin, grafting or a bridge may be the better path. your dentist will walk you through both options honestly and let you decide.
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