عربيWhen a tooth is lost, the two most common fixed replacements are a dental implant and a bridge. Both can look natural; they differ in how they are supported.
How an implant works
A titanium implant is placed in the jawbone to replace the root, and a crown is fitted on it once it has fused with the bone, usually after a few months. The neighbouring teeth are not touched.
How a bridge works
A bridge is a row of crowns fixed to the teeth on either side of the gap, with a false tooth in between. It is quicker to complete, but the supporting teeth have to be prepared for crowns.
What decides between them
The condition of the neighbouring teeth, the amount of bone, your general health and how quickly you need the result. If the neighbouring teeth are healthy, an implant avoids cutting them; if they already need crowns, a bridge can make sense.
Why replace a missing tooth at all?
The teeth next to a gap can drift and tilt, the opposite tooth can over-erupt, and the bone where the tooth was slowly shrinks. Replacing it helps keep your bite stable.
An X-ray or 3D scan shows whether an implant is possible and which option fits your case best.
This article is general information and does not replace an examination.