When you lose a tooth, you have two main fixed options: implant or bridge. Both have decades of validation. But they're not equivalent.
What each option is
Dental implant
An "artificial root" of medical titanium that integrates into the jaw bone. An abutment and crown attach on top.
Dental bridge
Uses neighboring teeth as "pillars" to support a false tooth. The pillar teeth are filed down.
8-criteria comparison
1. Preserving neighbor teeth
IMPLANT: doesn't touch neighbors. BRIDGE: filing neighbors is irreversible loss.
2. Preserving bone
IMPLANT: stimulates bone. BRIDGE: bone atrophies beneath the bridge body.
3. Duration
IMPLANT premium: 20-30+ years. BRIDGE: 10-15 years.
4. Cost
IMPLANT: placement from 5,000 MDL (AnyOne G-Diff) + crown from 3,000 MDL. BRIDGE 3-unit: from 6,000 MDL.
5. Time
IMPLANT: 3-5 months total. BRIDGE: 7-14 days.
6. Comfort
IMPLANT: 100% natural tooth feel. BRIDGE: needs superfloss under the bridge body.
7. Hygiene
IMPLANT: like a natural tooth. BRIDGE: harder — cavity risk on pillar teeth.
8. Limitations
IMPLANT: needs enough bone. BRIDGE: needs healthy neighbors.
When implant is the obvious choice
- Neighbor teeth are healthy
- You want a long-term solution
- Aesthetics matter (front teeth)
- You want to prevent bone atrophy
- Budget allows it
When bridge is the obvious choice
- Neighbor teeth are already damaged
- You need a fast solution
- Bone is insufficient and you don't want augmentation
- Medical contraindications to implants
Common myths
Myth: "Implants get rejected"
Titanium implants have 95-99% success. Allergic "rejection" doesn't exist — titanium is biocompatible.
Myth: "Implants hurt terribly"
With modern anesthesia, similar discomfort to an extraction. Paracetamol for 1-2 days.
How we decide together
At your free consultation, we do panoramic X-ray or 3D CT. We discuss goals and budget. You decide, no pressure.
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