When you lose a single tooth, there are two fixed options most people end up choosing between. A dental implant or a bridge.

Both stay in your mouth permanently. Neither comes out at night like a denture. Both can look completely natural. So how do you decide?

It mostly comes down to three things: the health of the teeth either side of the gap, the condition of the bone underneath, and how you feel about cost now versus cost over time. Here’s how the two compare.

How a Dental Bridge Works

A conventional bridge fills a gap by attaching a false tooth to the teeth on either side. Those neighbouring teeth are shaped and fitted with crowns, and the replacement tooth sits between them as one fixed unit.

There’s also a lighter option called a Maryland bridge (sometimes called a resin-bonded bridge). Instead of crowning the neighbouring teeth, a small wing is bonded to the back of one or both of them. It needs little or no drilling, but it’s best suited to front teeth and gaps where the bite isn’t too heavy.

You can read more about how we make and fit bridges on our crowns, bridges and dentures page.

How a Dental Implant Works

An implant replaces the root of the missing tooth as well as the part you can see. A small titanium post is placed into the jawbone, where it fuses with the bone over a few months. A connector and a custom crown are then fitted on top.

The big difference is that an implant stands on its own. It doesn’t need anything from the teeth next to it.

Implant vs Bridge: The Main Differences

What happens to your neighbouring teeth

This is often the deciding factor. A conventional bridge means trimming down the teeth on either side of the gap so they can hold crowns. If those teeth are already heavily filled or crowned, that’s not much of a loss, and a bridge can make good sense. If they’re healthy and untouched, removing sound tooth structure is a real trade-off.

An implant leaves the neighbouring teeth exactly as they are.

What happens to the bone

Once a tooth root is gone, the bone that held it gradually shrinks because it’s no longer being used. A bridge sits on top of the gum, so it doesn’t stop this. An implant sits in the bone like a natural root and helps to preserve it.

How long each one lasts

A well-maintained bridge can last 10 to 15 years or longer. With good care, a dental implant can last 10 to 25 years or longer. Our blog on how long dental implants last goes into what helps them reach the upper end of that range.

How long treatment takes

A bridge is quicker. It usually takes a couple of appointments a few weeks apart. An implant takes a few months from start to finish, because the bone needs time to heal around it before the final tooth goes on.

Cleaning

A bridge needs a little extra care, as you’ll have to clean underneath the false tooth with floss threaders or small interdental brushes. An implant crown is cleaned much like a natural tooth.

Cost

At Bridgford Dental Practice, bridges are priced per unit from £795, and a conventional bridge replacing one tooth is usually made up of three units (the false tooth plus a crown on each side). A single dental implant starts from £3,500. So a bridge usually costs less upfront.

Over the longer term, the gap narrows. If a bridge needs replacing after 10 to 15 years, or if one of the supporting teeth develops a problem, the lifetime cost can end up closer than it first looks. Our guide on how much dental implants cost in Nottingham breaks the implant figure down in more detail. See our prices page for current fees.

When a Bridge Might Be the Better Choice

A bridge is often a good fit if:

• The teeth either side of the gap already have large fillings or crowns
• You’d rather avoid surgery
• There isn’t enough bone for an implant and you’d prefer not to have a bone graft
• You want the gap filled sooner
• A medical condition makes implant surgery less suitable

When an Implant Might be the Better Choice

An implant often makes more sense if:

• The teeth next to the gap are healthy and you’d like to keep them that way
• You want the longest-lasting option available
• You’re keen to protect the bone in that area
• You’re replacing a back tooth that takes a lot of chewing force

What We’d Recommend

Honestly? It depends on your mouth. There’s no single right answer, and anyone who tells you otherwise without examining you is guessing.

At your consultation, we’ll check the teeth either side of the gap, look at your gum health and use our on-site 3D scanning to assess the bone. Then we’ll lay out the options side by side, with costs, so you can make the decision that suits you. If an implant isn’t right for you, we’ll tell you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have a bridge on implants?

Yes. If you’re missing several teeth in a row, two implants can support a bridge across the gap. This avoids involving any natural teeth.

Can a bridge be replaced with an implant later?

Often, yes, as long as there’s enough bone. If bone has been lost under the bridge over the years, a graft may be needed first.

Is implant treatment painful?

It’s carried out under local anaesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. Some soreness afterwards is normal. Our blog on what to expect after dental implant surgery covers recovery step by step.

Talk to us About Replacing a Missing Tooth

If you’re weighing up an implant or a bridge, book a consultation with our team in West Bridgford. Call 0115 981 6986 or find out more about dental implants in Nottingham.