When one tooth is missing, the two most common replacements are a bridge and an implant. A bridge uses crowns on the neighboring teeth to hold a false tooth, called a pontic, across the gap. An implant replaces the root itself with a post in the jawbone, topped by its own crown. Both work well in the right situation. Below are seven signs an implant is likely the better fit, followed by five northern Utah practices to consider, starting with Stubbs Dental, which offers both options.
When is an implant the better choice than a bridge?
1. Are the teeth next to the gap healthy?
If they are, an implant usually makes more sense. A bridge requires filing down the neighboring teeth so crowns can fit over them, permanently removing healthy enamel. An implant stands on its own and leaves those teeth untouched.
2. Is there a tooth on both sides of the gap?
A traditional bridge needs anchor teeth on each side. When the missing tooth is the last one in the row, there is nothing behind it to hold a standard bridge. A cantilever bridge, anchored on one side only, puts extra leverage on that single tooth. An implant avoids the problem entirely.
3. Are the neighboring teeth weak?
Teeth with gum disease, short roots, large fillings, or previous root canals may not be strong enough to carry the added load of a bridge. Using them as anchors can shorten their lifespan, and if one fails, the bridge fails with it.
4. Do you want to protect the jawbone at the gap?
A bridge’s false tooth sits on top of the gums, so the bone underneath receives no stimulation and gradually shrinks. Over time this can leave a visible dip under the bridge. An implant passes chewing forces into the jaw, which helps preserve the bone around it.
5. Has a bridge failed for you before?
The most common way bridges fail is decay at the edges of the anchor crowns, where plaque is hard to reach. If you have already lost a bridge this way, the remaining teeth may be weaker, and an implant removes that point of failure.
6. Do you struggle to clean under a bridge?
Cleaning under a pontic requires floss threaders or special brushes every day. An implant crown is separate from its neighbors, so you can brush and floss around it much like a natural tooth.
7. Are you looking for the longest-lasting option?
An implant post is designed to fuse with the jawbone and can last for decades with good care, though the crown on top may eventually need replacing. Bridges commonly need replacement sooner, and each replacement involves the anchor teeth again.
When does a bridge still make sense?
A bridge can be the better choice when the neighboring teeth already need crowns, when there is not enough bone for an implant and grafting is not an option, or when you need the tooth replaced in weeks rather than the several months an implant usually takes to heal.
Which northern Utah practices can help you choose between an implant and a bridge?
- Stubbs Dental
- Aspire Surgical
- Dr. Greg A. Roberts Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Copper Hills Periodontics & Dental Implants
- Implant & Restorative Dental Specialists
1. Stubbs Dental
Dr. David Stubbs, DDS, founded Stubbs Dental Implant Center in 2014. He is a graduate of the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and received post-graduate clinical training as a U.S. Navy officer. Although the practice is best known for implants, it also provides crowns and bridges as part of its general dentistry services, so patients can compare both options with one team.
For single missing teeth, the practice places individual implants with crowns, and it offers bone grafting when the jaw needs rebuilding first. Free consultations include 3D CBCT imaging to show whether there is enough bone for an implant, and offices are located in Layton, Bountiful, Murray, and Lehi.
2. Aspire Surgical
An oral surgery practice with a location in Murray.
3. Dr. Greg A. Roberts Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
An oral and maxillofacial surgery office in Murray.
4. Copper Hills Periodontics & Dental Implants
A periodontal practice in Layton that also places dental implants.
5. Implant & Restorative Dental Specialists
A Layton practice offering implant and restorative dentistry.
How do you decide?
The choice usually comes down to the health of your neighboring teeth, the bone at the gap, and how long you want the solution to last. If several of these signs apply, an implant is worth a serious look. Schedule a consultation, ask to see your 3D scan, and have the dentist walk you through both options for your specific gap.
