Losing a tooth is hard enough. Then you have to pick how to replace it. At Family First Dental, we offer all three main options: implants, bridges, and dentures. Here’s a plain look at implants vs bridges vs dentures.
Why replace a missing tooth at all? The gap can let nearby teeth drift over time, and that can change your bite.
Dental Implants
An implant is a small post placed in your jawbone. It acts like a tooth root, and a crown goes on top. Dental implants feel the most like real teeth, and they help protect the bone in your jaw.
Dr. Craig Stout uses computer-guided placement to plan where each implant goes.
Good to know: Implants take the longest. The bone needs time to heal around the post before the final crown goes on.
Dental Bridges
A bridge fills a gap by using the teeth on each side as anchors. A replacement tooth sits between them. There’s no surgery involved. Our crowns and bridges page walks through the process.
Bridges usually take two visits. You’ll wear a temporary for about one to two weeks while yours is made. With good care, they often last 10 to 15 years.
Good to know: The teeth next to the gap get reshaped to hold the bridge. That works best when those teeth are strong enough to support it. You’ll also need to floss under the bridge, and we’ll show you how.
Missing a few teeth in a row? Implant bridges anchor to implants instead of your natural teeth.
Dentures and Partials
Dentures replace several teeth or a whole arch. A partial fills gaps when you still have some natural teeth. A full denture replaces all the teeth on the top or bottom. You can see both on our dentures page.
We also offer implant-retained dentures. A few implants hold the denture in place, so it doesn’t slip. Replacing a full arch? Ask about All-on-4 dental implants.
Side by Side
- Implants: most like a real tooth, needs surgery, longest timeline
- Bridges: no surgery, about two visits, relies on nearby teeth
- Partial dentures: removable, fills several gaps, keeps your own teeth
- Full dentures: removable, replaces a whole arch, can be held by implants
How to Choose
The right choice depends on how many teeth are missing, the health of the teeth around the gap, your bone, and your budget.
Dr. Stout will put your X-rays and 3D scan on a large screen in your room. You’ll see the gap, the bone, and the teeth around it. Then he’ll walk you through what each option would look like for you.
Not sure where to start? Book an implant consultation. Payment plans are available through Cherry and WellCredit.
Missing a tooth? Call Family First Dental at (208) 400-9946 to talk through your options. We’re at 286 E Moody Rd, Suite F, in Rexburg.
