A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth and leaves the teeth on either side untouched. A bridge is held in place by crowns on the neighboring teeth. An implant takes a few months, including healing, while a bridge usually takes a few weeks. At Sand Canyon Dental in Irvine, your dentist helps you choose after checking your bone, your gums, and the health of the nearby teeth.
Implant vs. bridge at a glance
Fixed or removable: Both are fixed in place. You don't take them out at night.
Neighboring teeth: An implant leaves them untouched. A bridge needs them reshaped to hold crowns.
Jawbone: An implant helps preserve bone where the tooth was lost. A bridge does not replace the root.
Treatment time: An implant takes a few months, including healing. A bridge usually takes a few weeks.
Daily care: Brush and floss an implant like a natural tooth. A bridge needs daily cleaning underneath.
When an implant is often the better fit
The teeth on both sides of the gap are healthy and you'd rather not reshape them.
Your gums are healthy and you have enough jawbone. If bone has been lost, a bone graft can often rebuild the area first.
You want a long-term option. With good care, an implant can last 15 years or longer. The crown on top may eventually need replacing from normal wear.
When a bridge may make more sense
The neighboring teeth already need crowns, so reshaping them adds little.
You want treatment finished in a few weeks rather than a few months.
You'd like a lower cost up front. A bridge is usually faster and may cost less at the start.
Missing more than one tooth?
An implant-supported bridge can replace several teeth in a row, often with fewer implants than missing teeth. All-on-4 and All-on-6 implants hold a fixed set of teeth for a full arch, and implants can also help hold a denture firmly in place. See multiple teeth replacement and full arch replacement.
How implant treatment works at Sand Canyon Dental
Consultation and X-rays. We examine your teeth and gums and take X-rays to check your bone (if your case calls for a 3D scan, we’ll let you know), then explain your options, timeline, and cost before anything begins.
Preparing the site, if needed. If a tooth needs to come out or the bone is too thin, we may recommend an extraction or a bone graft first.
Implant placement. The implant is placed under local anesthesia. Most patients feel pressure rather than pain, and mild soreness usually fades in a few days.
Healing. Over about 3 to 6 months, the implant bonds with the bone.
Your new tooth. We attach an abutment and your custom crown, matched to your bite and the color of your smile.
All three of our dentists, Dr. Sepideh Caviar, Dr. Mary Grace Samonte-Mora, and Dr. Tamer Elnaggar, provide implant treatment in our Irvine office, from the first consultation through the final crown.
What affects the cost
Implant cost depends on how many teeth are replaced, the type of restoration, whether you need an extraction or bone graft first, and the imaging and planning for your case. When you compare quotes, check whether the price includes the abutment and crown, not just the implant. We give you a written estimate after your consultation.
We work with many PPO dental plans, including Delta Dental. Coverage for implants and bridges varies by plan, so our front desk team checks your benefits before you start. Read more about dental implant cost in Irvine.
Frequently asked questions
Is an implant or a bridge better?
Neither is right for everyone. An implant leaves neighboring teeth untouched and helps preserve the jawbone, while a bridge is usually faster and may cost less up front. The better choice depends on your bone, the health of nearby teeth, and your goals.
How long does a dental implant take?
Most cases take a few months. After the implant is placed, it usually needs about 3 to 6 months to bond with the bone before the final crown is attached. An extraction or bone graft beforehand adds time.
How long does a bridge take?
A bridge usually takes a few weeks from preparing the neighboring teeth to placing the final bridge.
Does getting an implant hurt?
The implant is placed under local anesthesia, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Mild soreness for a few days afterward is common.
Talk it through with a dentist
The fastest way to know which option fits you is an exam with X-rays. Learn more about dental implants in Irvine and fixed dental bridges, or call Sand Canyon Dental at (949) 727-9077. We're at 16100 Sand Canyon Ave, Suite 270, Irvine, open until 7 PM on Mondays and Thursdays.