Implant, bridge or denture: how to choose for a missing tooth
Side by side
| Implant | Bridge | Removable denture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed or removable | Fixed | Fixed | Removable |
| Affects neighbouring teeth | No | Yes, they are trimmed for crowns | Clasps may rest on them |
| Surgery | Yes, minor, under local anaesthetic | No | No |
| Time to finish | Usually 4–6 months | About 2–3 weeks | About 2–4 weeks |
| Cleaning | Like a natural tooth, plus between | Special floss or brushes under the bridge | Taken out and cleaned daily |
| Help with cost | MediSave for the surgery | CHAS-subsidised (supporting crowns claimable as crowns) | CHAS-subsidised |
Implant
A titanium post is placed in the jawbone and, after it has fused with the bone (usually 3–4 months), a crown is fitted on top. It is a good choice for a single missing tooth when the neighbouring teeth are healthy and there is enough bone. Smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, some osteoporosis and cancer medicines, and previous radiotherapy to the jaw increase the risks and need careful planning. Where bone is thin, a bone graft may be possible; where it is not suitable, a bridge or denture may be better.
At Toothsmith a single-tooth implant including the crown is $3,200. The $1,950 surgical visit is MediSave-claimable. See dental implants.
Bridge
A false tooth is held by crowns on the teeth either side of the gap. It is fixed and quicker than an implant and needs no surgery. The trade-off is that healthy neighbouring teeth are trimmed, and if one of them develops a problem the whole bridge may need replacing. It suits gaps where the neighbouring teeth already need crowns, or where an implant is not suitable.
Removable denture
A plate with one or more teeth that clips in and out. It is the least invasive option and the only practical one when many teeth are missing and implants are not wanted. It takes a few weeks to get used to, moves more than fixed options when chewing, and must be cleaned daily and relined as the gums change. See new dentures: the first weeks. Dentures are CHAS-claimable (one upper and one lower every three years) for eligible cardholders.
Do I need to replace the tooth at all?
Not always. A missing back tooth sometimes causes no problems. Elsewhere, neighbouring teeth can tip and the opposing tooth can drift, affecting your bite. Your dentist can tell you whether a particular gap is likely to matter. See root canal or extraction?
Frequently asked questions
Is an implant more painful than a bridge?
Implant placement is minor surgery under local anaesthetic; most people have a few days of mild soreness afterwards. A bridge involves no surgery, though the trimmed teeth may be sensitive for a while.
How long does a dental implant take?
Usually 4–6 months in total: the implant needs about 3–4 months to fuse with the bone before the crown is made.
Can I switch from a bridge to an implant later?
This can be done provided there is sufficient bone.
Am I too old for implants?
Age alone is rarely the issue. General health, bone, medicines and the ability to keep the implant clean matter more.
Sources
- CPF Board, MediSave for dental implants
Questions about your teeth?
Book a check-up. You will hear what we find, the options and the fee before anything is done.