Whether an implant or a bridge suits you better depends mainly on three things: the condition of the neighbouring teeth, the jawbone, and whether a minor surgical procedure is an option for you. Both solutions replace a missing tooth firmly and reliably. Neither is fundamentally “better” – it depends on your individual situation.
In this guide, we compare both options fairly and show how we decide together with you at our practice in Küsnacht. You can also find detailed information on our pages about dental implants in Küsnacht and crowns and bridges made of zirconia or e.max.
How implants and bridges work
The dental implant
An implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed in the jawbone. It then heals in and fuses firmly with the bone. Depending on the bone and the starting situation, this healing phase usually takes from several weeks to a few months. Only then does the implant receive its visible crown.
The big advantage: the neighbouring teeth are left untouched. However, it requires a surgical procedure and sufficient bone. If there is not enough bone, bone augmentation can often help, although this extends the treatment.
The dental bridge
A bridge spans the gap. It is attached to the two neighbouring teeth, known as abutment teeth. To do this, these teeth are ground down and crowned. No surgery is needed, and treatment is usually completed in a few appointments.
The disadvantage: grinding down the teeth removes healthy tooth structure, and this cannot be reversed. However, if the neighbouring teeth already have fillings or crowns, this point carries less weight.
What speaks for each solution?
An implant is more likely if …
- the neighbouring teeth are healthy and intact, and should stay that way,
- there is enough jawbone or bone augmentation is possible,
- a minor procedure is fine for you and you can wait for the healing period.
A bridge is more likely if …
- the neighbouring teeth already have large fillings or crowns and would need treatment anyway,
- there is not enough bone for an implant and you don’t want bone augmentation,
- surgery is not an option for health or personal reasons,
- you prefer a solution without a longer healing phase.
The combination: implant-supported bridge
If several adjacent teeth are missing, the two can be combined: a bridge is attached not to your own teeth but to implants. This means fewer implants are needed than there are missing teeth, and the neighbouring teeth are spared. You can read more in our article on the implant bridge as a fixed tooth replacement.
| Implant | Bridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | in the jawbone | on the neighbouring teeth |
| Neighbouring teeth | remain untouched | are ground down and crowned |
| Procedure | surgical, outpatient | no surgery |
| Requirement | sufficient bone (or augmentation) | sturdy abutment teeth |
| Treatment time | longer, due to the healing phase | shorter, usually a few appointments |
Care and durability
With good care, implants and bridges often last many years. Nobody can promise a fixed lifespan, as it depends on your oral hygiene, your gums, your bite and regular check-ups.
With an implant, the greatest risk is inflammation of the tissue around the implant (peri-implantitis). With a bridge, it is tooth decay on the abutment teeth, especially at the edge of the crown. In both cases: brush thoroughly, clean between the teeth with interdental brushes and under the bridge with special floss. On top of this come professional teeth cleaning and regular check-ups at the practice.
What the costs depend on
Flat-rate prices for tooth replacement would not be reputable, because every situation is different. The costs depend on factors such as how many teeth are being replaced, whether bone augmentation is needed, which material is chosen, and how many appointments and how much laboratory work are involved. With a bridge, the crowns on the abutment teeth are also included.
On request, we can provide you with a cost estimate in advance, including for submission to your insurer. You can find our practice’s tariff point values on the Tariff point values page. Whether and how much an insurer will cover is best clarified with your insurance company beforehand.
How we decide together
We start with a thorough examination. Using 3D X-rays and an intraoral scan, we can see how much bone is available and what condition the neighbouring teeth are in. On this basis, we discuss the possible options with you, including their pros and cons, the timeline and the costs. The decision is yours.
- Implants: Surgical procedures at our practice are carried out by Dr. Tanja Karamousli herself. We plan digitally and mainly use implants from Straumann, as well as from Thommen and, on request, CAMLOG. Thanks to 3D planning, guided implant placement that is as gentle as possible is an option.
- Bridges and crowns: We use only white materials such as zirconia or e.max. Impressions are taken digitally, and the restoration is made in our Swiss laboratory (about one week) or with CEREC on the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Is getting an implant painful?
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic. In the days afterwards, the area may be swollen or sensitive. If you are afraid of the dentist, please let us know; among other things, we offer nitrous oxide sedation.
Can I simply leave the gap?
That is possible, but it has consequences: neighbouring teeth can tilt into the gap, the opposing tooth can grow out of place, and the bone recedes over time. That is why a consultation is worthwhile, even if you don’t want treatment straight away.
How long does treatment take?
A bridge is usually completed in a few appointments. With an implant, there is also the healing phase, usually several weeks to a few months. If bone augmentation is needed, it takes longer. You will receive the exact schedule after the examination.
Does an implant last longer than a bridge?
With good care, both can last many years. Your oral hygiene, your gums and regular check-ups matter more than the choice of method alone.
Would you like to know which solution suits you? Book a consultation online at our practice on Seestrasse in Küsnacht.