Dental Bridges vs. Dental Implants

Which is the better choice when you need to replace a missing tooth or teeth – a dental bridge or dental implants? Both options offer unique advantages and disadvantages. Your dentist will advise you on which option, a dental bridge or dental implants, is best for your needs. But often the final decision comes down to cost – restorative dental care can be expensive. It’s worth it in the long run, a healthy smile enhances your overall health and quality of life. But it can be tough to stretch your budget to include dental care.

People tend to think dental insurance is the only way to reduce the costs of dental care. Dental insurance does help, typically paying a portion of the cost of bridges, but it often does not cover dental implants. Dental savings plans, a trusted alternative to dental insurance, can reduce the cost of both dental implants and bridges. Plan members report an average savings of 50%* on their dental care.

Dental implants vs bridge prices?

If you’re missing one or more teeth, with healthy teeth on either side of the gap, a dental bridge can be an excellent way to improve your smile and oral health. Bridges have been successfully used to restore missing teeth for decades. They are less expensive than dental implants – costing $2,000-$4,500 to replace one missing tooth compared to $3,100 to $5,800 for a single dental implant.

One of the main drawbacks of dental implants is that higher upfront cost compared to dental bridges. The implant procedure involves multiple steps, including the surgical placement of the implant itself, which contributes to the overall expense. You may also need associated treatments such as extraction of a partially broken tooth, X-rays, or a bone graft/sinus lift to help ensure the implant’s stability.

Dental bridge options, pros and cons

Besides cost, the advantages of dental bridges include a quicker procedure, with faster healing time. A bridge can be fabricated and placed within a few weeks, compared to the several months needed to complete the dental implant procedure.

The disadvantages of dental bridges include their impact on the teeth on either side of the bridge. A dental bridge is a series of crowns that are fused together. The middle crown or crowns of the bridge, replace the missing tooth or teeth. The crowns on either end of the bridge cover and attach to the healthy teeth on either side of missing teeth. These teeth must be shaped so they can support the bridge. This can weaken these teeth over time and potentially lead to further dental issues. Also, with dental bridges, you can no longer floss between the teeth that are within the bridge, which can further increase the chance of losing these teeth in the future.

And while dental bridges can last for a considerable amount of time with proper care, they generally have a shorter lifespan compared to dental implants. They might need replacement after 10-15 years, which could result in additional costs over the long term.

Dental Implant options, pros and cons

Dental implants are designed to mimic the structure of natural teeth, and when properly cared for, they can last a lifetime. This longevity can make them a cost-effective option in the long run.

Dental implants closely resemble natural teeth in terms of appearance, functionality, and comfort. Many people find them to be virtually indistinguishable from their natural teeth. One of the biggest benefits of dental implants is that they stimulate the jawbone much like natural teeth roots do, helping to maintain bone density and prevent the deterioration that commonly occurs with missing teeth.

Also, implants provide the same proprioception that natural teeth provide, which means the forces felt on an implant crown feel the same as they do on natural teeth. This can lead to improved facial aesthetics and overall oral health. And unlike bridges, dental implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support, so there’s no need to modify healthy teeth.

Affordable dental bridges and dental implants

In the dental bridges vs. dental implants debate, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Your choice should be based on your dentist’s guidance. Financial consideration will likely also play a role.

As discussed elsewhere in this article, dental insurance often covers bridges, but rarely covers implants. And your insurance may not pay for replacement of teeth that were missing prior to you purchasing the insurance. Your dentist can request a pre-approval of your treatment plan to gauge how much your insurance will likely cover. The cost of a bridge is likely to exceed your insurance’s annual spending limit, typically $1,000 to $1,500, so you may pay the rest out of pocket. Your dentist can help you figure out the final cost.

Dental savings plans typically do offer reduced costs for both bridges and implants. As a trusted alternative to dental insurance, dental savings plans activate quickly, within 72 hours of purchase, with emergency same-day activation available on many plans. Unlike insurance, dental savings plans do not have annual limits on how much you can save, and even offer savings on procedures to treat longstanding dental problems.

You can easily explore your savings options at DentalPlans.com, the largest dental plan marketplace, with more than 25 plans from the most trusted brands in healthcare. As noted above, plan members report an average savings of 50%* on their dental care.

Want help determining how much you can save on bridges or implants? Call us at 1-833-735-0399 for a personalized plan recommendation. We can discuss all the options and find the plan that can save you the most money. Want to see right now how much you can save on bridges and/or implants? Use our calculator below for a quick peek.

*Discount Health Program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan. 

All cost averages obtained from DentalPlans.com procedure search tool, and independent research.