What are the options for replacing a missing tooth?
There are three main ways to replace a missing tooth: a dental implant, a fixed bridge, or a removable partial denture. Each restores your bite and smile, but they differ in how they are anchored, how long they last, what they do to neighboring teeth and jawbone, and what they cost, both upfront and over the years that follow.
Tooth loss is common, especially later in life. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, about 15.2% of U.S. adults age 65 and older have lost all of their teeth, and seniors have an average of about 21 remaining teeth. Replacing a missing tooth matters for more than appearance: gaps let neighboring teeth drift, change how you chew, and allow the jawbone beneath to shrink.
How do implants, bridges, and dentures compare?
Implants replace the tooth root, so they stand on their own and help preserve the jawbone. Bridges are fixed and quick to complete but rely on the teeth beside the gap, which must be reshaped for crowns. Partial dentures cost the least upfront and avoid surgery, but they are removable, can feel less secure, and do not stop bone loss.
| Dental implant | Bridge | Partial denture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it is held | Titanium post fused to the jawbone | Crowns on the teeth beside the gap | Rests on the gums, sometimes with clasps |
| Neighboring teeth | Left untouched | Reshaped to support the bridge | Clasps may rest on them |
| Jawbone | Helps preserve bone | Bone under the gap keeps shrinking | Bone keeps shrinking |
| Removable | No | No | Yes |
| Upfront cost | Highest | Middle | Lowest |
How long does each tooth replacement option last?
Implants have the strongest long-term record. A 2019 systematic review in the Journal of Dentistry estimated that 96.4% of implants were still in place after 10 years, and the post itself can last decades. Bridges are commonly replaced after 10 to 15 years, and partial dentures need relining or replacement every few years as the gums and bone change shape.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates dental implants as medical devices and encourages patients to discuss their health history and the benefits and risks with their dental provider before treatment. That is why a careful evaluation, including a 3D CBCT scan of the jaw, comes before any recommendation.
Which tooth replacement option is right for you?
The best choice depends on your health, your bone, the condition of the neighboring teeth, and your budget. Implants usually make sense when the teeth beside the gap are healthy and you want the longest-lasting result. A bridge may fit when those neighbors already need crowns, and a partial denture can be a sensible, lower-cost choice for several missing teeth.
- Healthy neighboring teeth and enough bone: an implant usually serves you best over time.
- Neighboring teeth already need crowns: a bridge can fix both problems at once.
- Several missing teeth or a tighter budget: a partial denture, or implant-supported options later.
- At McLaren Dental Associates, a single implant with its crown typically costs $3,000 to $5,000.
Sources
- Long-term (10-year) dental implant survival: a systematic review and sensitivity meta-analysis — Journal of Dentistry (2019), via PubMed
- Dental Implants: What You Should Know — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Tooth Loss in Seniors (NHANES 2017–March 2020) — National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
- Tooth Disorders — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine