Other ways to replace a tooth
An implant is one way to replace a tooth, and not the only one. This page lays out the options so you can pick the one that fits you, not the one that is on our menu.
What happens
A bridge takes about two visits. A partial denture takes three or four. An implant takes four to six, over months.
- 01
Step 1: Look and talk
An exam and a scan show what the gap, the neighboring teeth and the bone allow.
- 02
Step 2: Compare
Dr. Clemons goes through the implant, a bridge and a partial denture: what each involves, what it asks of the neighboring teeth and what it needs from you afterward.
- 03
Step 3: Estimate
You get each option's fee in writing so you can compare them at home.
- 04
Step 4: Decide
You choose, or you wait. Both are fine.
Comfort, choices and care
Comfort
Whichever option you choose, the work is done with a local anesthetic where anything needs numbing. A removable partial denture needs little or none. We stop whenever you ask.
If you wait or choose differently
A bridge is anchored to the teeth on either side of the gap, and they are shaped to hold it. A partial denture clips to nearby teeth and comes out at night. An implant needs no support from the neighbors but needs enough bone. Leaving the gap costs nothing now, and over time neighboring teeth can drift and the bone there can shrink.
Risks and after-care
Each option has its own risks. A bridge puts extra load on its anchor teeth; an implant has the surgical risks on the implant page; a partial denture can rub and needs adjusting. Dr. Clemons names the ones that apply to you.
How it's billed
Each option has its own line in the written estimate. Plans often treat a bridge and an implant differently, so we tell you what we know and your plan decides.
How fees work
Questions about other ways to replace a tooth
Which option do you recommend?
The one that fits your mouth and your wishes. We explain the trade-offs and leave the choice with you.
Is an implant always better than a bridge?
Not always. A bridge can be the right answer when the neighboring teeth already need crowns, or when there isn't enough bone.
Can I change my mind later?
Often yes. A site left for a while may need a graft first, and Dr. Clemons will say if it does.
Provided by a general dentist
Dr. Henrietta Clemons, DDS, general dentist, licensed in Illinois.