Replacing Missing Teeth Options
Implant, bridge or denture: each has a clear best-use case.
Why replace at all
A gap lets neighboring teeth tip and opposing teeth drift down, and the jawbone under the gap begins to shrink within months.
Dental implant
The closest thing to a natural tooth. It stands alone, preserves bone and can last decades, but it costs more up front and takes months to complete.
Fixed bridge
Faster and less expensive, but it requires reshaping the two neighboring teeth and does not prevent bone loss beneath the gap.
Removable partial or full denture
The most affordable route and the right answer when many teeth are missing. Implant-supported versions dramatically improve stability.
Deciding
Bone volume, budget, timeline and how many teeth are missing all factor in. We will lay out the honest trade-offs of each.
Written by the team at Uptown Dentistry, led by Dr. Nicki Tajalli, DDS, in Uptown Houston. This article is general information, not a substitute for an exam.