A missing tooth can be replaced with a fixed solution in two main ways: an implant with a crown, or a bridge attached to the neighbouring teeth. Both work well — but they suit different situations.

How each option works

An implant replaces the root of the missing tooth with a titanium post in the jawbone. After healing, a crown is attached on top. The neighbouring teeth are not involved.

A bridge uses the teeth on either side of the gap as anchors. They are prepared for crowns, and the replacement tooth is suspended between them in one connected piece.

Side-by-side

	Implant + crown	Tooth-supported bridge
Neighbouring teeth	Untouched	Prepared for crowns
Jawbone under the gap	Preserved by chewing load	Continues to shrink slowly
Treatment time	3–6 months, 2 trips	About 5–7 days, 1 trip
Surgery	Minor surgery required	No surgery
Cleaning	Like a natural tooth	Floss threader or water flosser under the bridge
Typical lifespan	Implant: decades; crown: 10–15+ years	10–15+ years, depending on anchor teeth

When an implant is usually the better choice

The neighbouring teeth are healthy and have no large fillings
You want to protect the bone in the area long term
You can plan two trips a few months apart

When a bridge makes sense

The neighbouring teeth already need crowns anyway
There is not enough bone for an implant and you want to avoid grafting
You need a fixed result within a single trip
Medical reasons make surgery less advisable

What about several missing teeth?

If two or more neighbouring teeth are missing, an implant-supported bridge combines both approaches: two implants carry a bridge, so no natural teeth are prepared and fewer implants are needed than teeth replaced.

The bottom line

There is no universally "best" option. The right choice depends on the condition of the neighbouring teeth, the bone and your time frame. A good dentist will show you both options with their pros and cons — and will not push you towards the more expensive one. Send us a photo or an X-ray of the area, and we will explain which option fits your situation.