Dental implant or bridge: what to choose for a missing tooth?

For a missing tooth, a dental implant is usually the superior long-term solution: it replaces the root, preserves the bone and does not require grinding the neighbouring teeth. A bridge is faster and sometimes cheaper initially, but it rests on the adjacent teeth, which must be ground down.

How each solution works

An implant is an artificial titanium root inserted into the bone, on top of which a crown is placed. A bridge is a fixed restoration made of several units, supported by the teeth on both sides of the gap, after they are prepared.

Quick comparison

Neighbouring teeth. An implant does not affect adjacent teeth. A bridge requires grinding the neighbouring teeth.

Bone preservation. An implant keeps the bone stimulated. With a bridge, the bone under the gap can resorb over time.

Treatment time. An implant generally takes 3 to 6 months, from placement to the final crown. A bridge is completed in about 2 to 3 weeks.

Durability. A well-maintained implant can last over 15 years, while a bridge generally lasts 7 to 10 years.

Price at AURA DENT. An implant starts from 2500 RON, plus the crown from 2500 RON. A bridge varies depending on the number of units.

Our recommendation

We recommend the implant for most cases, because it protects the neighbouring teeth and the bone. A bridge remains a valid option when an implant is not possible or when a faster solution is preferred. We make the final decision together, after an X-ray and a bone evaluation.