Should I Replace My Missing Teeth with a Bridge or an Implant?

Lost teeth create a vacancy that invites trouble in your mouth:

• Neighboring teeth shift toward the gap and cause alignment problems with your bite
• The exposed gum tissue allows more surface area for bacteria to invade
• Chewing and speaking become difficult
• Lack of chewing shrinks jawbone tissue
• Self-confidence plummets, and depression becomes a risk

At High Desert Dental, Dr. Ben Peterson and our team help you avoid these complications of missing teeth by offering several ways to replace them. Two of the most popular choices are bridges and dental implants. Here, Dr. Peterson explains how they compare so you can make the choice that’s right for you.

Dental bridges

A dental bridge is a false tooth or a set of false teeth that bridge the gap left behind by your natural teeth. The artificial teeth in a bridge are made of porcelain or sometimes plastic, matching your natural teeth in size, shape, and color.

To keep the bridge in place, Dr. Peterson anchors it to the two teeth on either side of the gap, which he outfits with crowns for extra stability.

The upside of dental bridges

Compared to dental implants, dental bridges have a few advantages:

• Less expensive (up front)
• Usually covered by insurance
• Only takes two office visits
• Noninvasive

A bridge may fit the bill if you’re looking for a quick and affordable solution.

The downside of dental bridges

Although convenient and affordable, bridges may not suit you if the following factors are important to you:

• Needs to be replaced every five to seven years
• Loses its natural look as you age
• May damage your two anchor teeth
• May lead to cavities and tooth decay in the anchor teeth

If these issues don’t concern you, a bridge may be the perfect solution to your missing teeth problem.

Dental implants

Considered the gold standard of tooth replacement, dental implants are the most natural-looking, easy-to-care-for option. They’re also best for your oral health. 

Instead of bridging the gap, dental implants fill the gap all the way down to your tooth root. Dr. Peterson recreates your tooth’s root with a titanium post that anchors into your jawbone. Not only does this stabilize your new artificial tooth, but it also replicates the function of your natural teeth by applying pressure to your jawbone every time you chew. This stimulates cell turnover and builds new bone tissue.

The titanium post is topped with a crown that looks and functions exactly like your other teeth. 

The upside of dental implants

There’s a lot to love about dental implants, including:

• Lasts 15 years to a lifetime
• Looks most natural
• Doesn’t damage your healthy teeth
• Easy to care for

Dental implants may fit the bill if you want a long-lasting, top-of-the-line tooth replacement.

The downside of dental implants

While the success rate of dental implants is about 97%, and they out-perform other replacement options, they still come with a few issues that might deter you:

• More expensive
• Less likely to be covered by insurance
• May take up to six months to complete the procedure
• May require bone grafting

Before deciding solely on financial factors, talk with our team about your insurance coverage, so you know exactly what’s included. 

What to consider about dental implants vs. bridges

Dr. Peterson has many years of experience treating lost teeth with both bridges and dental implants, and he can help you navigate your choices. He discusses your options with you in detail and recommends you consider the following as you decide:

• Oral health
• Overall health
• How many teeth you’re missing
• Cost
• Time

Call us or book a consultation using our online scheduler to discuss your missing teeth and the best way to replace them with Dr. Peterson.