Patient question

Implant or bridge: which one to choose?

A missing tooth can be replaced with an implant or a bridge. Both are used at our clinic. Which one suits you depends on the condition of the neighbouring teeth, the amount of bone and your preferences. This page compares the two solutions; we give the final recommendation at the consultation.

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How each one works

An implant is a titanium screw that replaces the root of the tooth. A crown is attached to it. An implant is an independent solution and does not rest on the neighbouring teeth.

A bridge rests on the neighbouring teeth. With a conventional bridge, two neighbouring teeth are reduced and crowns are attached to them, with a replacement tooth between them. There are several kinds of bridge solution and some of them require less of the tooth to be removed. In every case a bridge requires the neighbouring teeth to be present and strong enough.

The main differences

Neighbouring teeth: an implant leaves the neighbouring teeth untouched. For a conventional bridge, two neighbouring teeth are reduced to take crowns. How much tooth is removed depends on the bridge solution chosen.

Time: a bridge is ready in a few weeks. The implant journey takes 4–9 months, because the implant has to fuse with the bone.

Bone: an implant loads the jawbone like a tooth root and helps preserve the bone. Under a bridge the bone can recede over time.

Longevity: with good care and regular check-ups an implant lasts for decades. The lifespan of a bridge depends on the condition of the supporting teeth.

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Frequently asked questions

Which one is cheaper?

The initial price of a bridge can be lower, but the comparison depends on the condition of the supporting teeth and on how long each solution lasts. Replacement with an implant costs 2235–2485 euros in total at our clinic. We state the price of a bridge in the treatment plan, because it depends on the number of teeth and the material.

Can a bridge later be replaced with an implant?

Often yes, but it depends on the amount of bone and the condition of the supporting teeth. If you are considering a bridge now, this question is worth discussing at the consultation.

What if the neighbouring teeth already have crowns?

Then a bridge can be a natural choice, because those teeth have already been ground down anyway. The decision depends on the condition of the crowns and the teeth, which we assess at the consultation.

The information on this page is intended to provide general information about occlusal splints. Treatment recommendations are made individually following a clinical assessment.

Prepared by the team of Kristina Kiisa Dental Clinic. Updated: 05.09.2026

Have both options weighed up

At the consultation we assess the neighbouring teeth and the bone and compare the solutions in your situation. A consultation with an X-ray examination costs 135 euros.

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