Alien vs. Predator, AKA the Dental Bridge versus the Dental Implant

OH, SNAP!...So, you lost that tooth.

It doesn't help that it was one of the front ones.

The most common ways to replace a missing tooth include both the Dental Bridge and the Dental Implant. Below are the pros and cons of each.

A tooth supported bridge uses the two surrounding teeth (abutments) to support a three-crown piece with a fake tooth in the middle (the "pontic").

The Pros                                                          

Finished 2-4 weeks after extraction

Non-surgical         

Fixes any fractures in surrounding teeth   

Less expensive than implant therapy 

Permanently cemented              

The Cons           

Cannot floss between connected teeth

Alters surrounding teeth that may be healthy    

Abutments may need root canals

Must have teeth on either side of the missing tooth

Teeth could appear too large if there were prior spaces between them

If an abutment tooth goes bad, the entire bridge may be lost

The Pros                                                     

Replaces a single tooth and root                      

Surgery is generally painless                           

Can floss regularly                                          

Tooth appears to be coming out of the gum      

Can absorb biting forces                                  

If cared for, lasts a lifetime                              

Don't have to be numbed for restoring 

The Cons            

Does not address pathology of surrounding teeth

Depends on healing and the patient's health risks

Requires a certain x-ray 

Cannot hide extensive bone defects

Cost of implant is separate from crown

Can be lost to peri-implantitis

Treatment time is about 6 months