The implant: standalone and durable
The implant replaces the root AND the crown, without touching the neighbouring teeth. It stimulates the bone and stops it from shrinking, preserving the face. Its lifespan reaches 15 to 25 years, often more. It's today the benchmark for replacing a single tooth.
The bridge: faster, but at the cost of adjacent teeth
The bridge is fitted faster and without surgery. Downside: it requires grinding down the two adjacent teeth, even healthy ones, to crown them. Meanwhile the bone under the missing tooth keeps resorbing over time.
The real cost comparison
The bridge looks cheaper upfront, but it usually needs redoing every 10 to 15 years and sacrifices two teeth. The implant costs more initially and lasts far longer without damaging the rest — often cheaper over time.
So which to choose?
If the neighbouring teeth are healthy, the implant is almost always the best long-term choice. The bridge keeps its appeal when the adjacent teeth are already damaged and need crowning anyway. Only an exam with a scan settles your specific case.
For a single tooth surrounded by healthy teeth, the implant almost always wins over time. A quote with a 3D scan will confirm the best option for you.