When choosing an implant vs bridge for a single missing tooth, the main trade-off is this: an implant replaces the root and leaves neighbouring teeth untouched but involves surgery, while a bridge is quicker and non-surgical but relies on shaping the teeth either side. Both are well-established options.
Below we compare how each works, the costs, longevity and risks.
How each option works
A single implant is a titanium post placed in the jaw where the tooth root was. Once the bone has integrated with it, an abutment and crown are attached.
A conventional bridge uses crowns on the teeth either side of the gap to hold a false tooth in between. Those supporting teeth are reshaped so the crowns fit. Learn more about crowns and bridges.
Other variations exist, such as resin-bonded bridges in some front-tooth cases. Your dentist will explain which designs suit your bite.
Leaving a gap is also an option some people choose. Over time, though, neighbouring teeth can drift or tilt and the opposing tooth may over-erupt, which your dentist can explain.
Both options aim to restore chewing and appearance. The difference lies in how they are supported and what they require from the teeth and bone around the gap.
Pros and cons compared
Single implant
- Does not involve reshaping neighbouring teeth.
- Helps maintain jawbone where the tooth was lost.
- Cleaned much like a natural tooth, with floss or interdental brushes.
- Requires surgery and a healing period of a few months.
- Needs enough healthy bone, sometimes with grafting first.
Bridge
- No surgery, and usually completed in a few weeks.
- Can suit people for whom surgery is not advisable.
- Can be a sensible choice if the neighbouring teeth already need crowns.
- Involves removing healthy tooth structure if the neighbours are intact.
- Needs cleaning under the false tooth with floss threaders or interdental brushes.
Cost comparison
At North Sydney Dentistry, a single dental implant package is $5,199, including consultation and assessment, implant placement, a CEREC crown and post-operative care. Bone grafting or extractions, if needed, are extra and quoted at assessment. Prices are a guide; your exact fee is confirmed in a written treatment plan after your assessment.
A three-unit bridge involves crowns on two teeth plus the false tooth, so its fee is often in a similar range. Our dental bridge cost page explains what affects bridge fees, and our dental implant cost page covers implant pricing.
Consider the long-term picture too. A bridge may need replacing after a number of years, and if a supporting tooth develops decay or needs root canal treatment, more work may follow.
Health funds differ, so check your extras cover, annual limits and waiting periods directly with your fund. We can provide the item numbers from your treatment plan so your fund can give you a quote.
Ask for both options to be costed in writing if you are undecided. Seeing the fees side by side, with item numbers, makes the comparison clearer.
Longevity and long-term health
With good care and regular check-ups, implants can last for many years, while the crown on top may need replacing as it wears. Read how long do dental implants last? for the factors involved.
Bridges also last many years, but they depend on the health of the supporting teeth. Decay at the margins of the crowns is one of the more common reasons bridges fail.
Implants have their own long-term issue: peri-implantitis, an inflammation of the gum and bone around the implant. Good cleaning and regular reviews help prevent it.
These are general patterns only. Results vary between people, depending on oral hygiene, bite forces, gum health and general health.
Risks and recovery
Implant placement is surgery. Expect some swelling and tenderness for a few days, and a soft diet for a short time. Risks include infection, bleeding, nerve irritation causing numbness, sinus involvement in the upper jaw and, occasionally, an implant that does not integrate.
A bridge avoids surgery but carries its own risks. Reshaped teeth can become sensitive, and occasionally the nerve becomes inflamed and needs root canal treatment.
Smoking and gum disease raise risks for both options. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing after any dental procedure, call 000.
After a bridge, the teeth may feel sensitive to cold for a short time. After implant surgery, most people return to desk work within a day or two, following a soft diet on that side.
Making the decision
Your dentist will look at the health of the neighbouring teeth, your bone, your bite and your medical history. If the adjacent teeth are healthy and unrestored, an implant is often discussed. If they already need crowns, a bridge may make sense.
Some questions worth raising with your dentist include:
- Are the teeth next to the gap healthy, or do they already have large fillings?
- Is there enough bone for an implant, or would grafting be needed?
- How would each option affect my bite and the teeth around it?
- What maintenance will each option need over the years?
- What happens if a supporting tooth or the implant develops a problem?
Timing can matter too. If you need a tooth replaced quickly and cannot wait several months, that may influence the choice, although temporary options exist during implant healing.
For more on all your options, see our complete guide to dental implants or read about dental implants at North Sydney Dentistry. Call (02) 8090 1108 to book an assessment at our Walker St practice.
Frequently asked questions
Is an implant or a bridge quicker?
A bridge is usually completed within a few weeks. An implant typically takes several months because the bone needs time to integrate with the implant before the crown is fitted.
Does a bridge damage the teeth next to it?
A conventional bridge requires reshaping the supporting teeth, which removes some healthy structure. This is one reason implants are often discussed when the neighbouring teeth are intact.
Can I have a bridge if I cannot have surgery?
Yes, a bridge is a common non-surgical option. Your dentist will check that the supporting teeth are strong enough to carry it.
Book a consultation
North Sydney Dentistry is at Level 1, Suite 102/71 Walker St, North Sydney, a two-minute walk from North Sydney station. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Call (02) 8090 1108 or book online.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for advice from your own dentist or doctor. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.