Dental Bridge vs Implant – Cost and Benefits Comparison

A dental bridge and a dental implant both replace a missing tooth and restore your bite, but they work in very different ways and suit different people. This guide compares the two side by side, the pros and cons, how each procedure works, what they cost in Perth, and how to decide which is right for you. If you are weighing up your options, our dentists at Radiant Smiles in Yokine and Albany plan both treatments in-house and can talk you through either.

Dental Bridge vs Implant

Here is the quick comparison. We explain each point in detail further down.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge fills the gap left by a missing tooth with a false tooth (a pontic) that is anchored to the teeth on either side. Those supporting teeth are crowned, and the false tooth sits between them so the bridge is fixed in place and does not come out.

Types of dental bridges

• Traditional bridge: The most common type. A crown on each neighbouring tooth holds the false tooth between them.
• Cantilever bridge: Supported on one side only, used where there is a tooth on just one side of the gap, often at the front.
• Maryland bridge: The false tooth is bonded in place with small metal or porcelain wings, which keeps more of your natural tooth than a traditional bridge.
• Implant-supported bridge: When several teeth in a row are missing, implants rather than natural teeth carry the bridge.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small titanium post that is placed into the jawbone to act as a new tooth root. Over a few months the bone fuses to the post, then a crown is fitted on top to give you a tooth that looks and works like a natural one. Because the implant stands alone, the teeth around it are left untouched.

Types of dental implants

• Endosteal implant: The standard type, placed directly into the jawbone. It suits most patients.
• All-on-4: All-on-4 implants a good option wehen full arch of teeth is missing, four implants carry a fixed set of teeth, available from $25,000 per arch at Radiant Smiles.
• Subperiosteal and zygomatic implants: Less common options for patients with significant bone loss, used when a standard implant is not possible.

Pros and Cons of a Dental Bridge

Dental bridges have some notable advantages over implants. That being said, they also have some negatives. Here’s what you can expect:

Dental Bridge Pros

• Lower Upfront Cost: Dental bridges are less expensive than implants, so they’re more accessible for those on a tight budget.
• Non-Surgical Option: Bridges don’t require surgery, so they’re ideal for patients who want a faster, non-invasive solution to replace lost teeth.
• Shorter Procedure Time: Dental bridges are generally completed in just a few appointments over a couple of weeks, making them a faster solution compared to implants.
• Improves Smile and Overall Function: Bridges do a good job of filling gaps to restore the appearance of your smile and improve speech and chewing.
• Prevents Teeth Shifting: By filling the gap left by a missing tooth, bridges help prevent adjacent teeth from shifting out of position.

Dental Bridge Cons

• Affects Adjacent Teeth: The bridge requires neighbouring teeth to be filed down to anchor the bridge, which may weaken otherwise healthy teeth.
• Limited Lifespan: Bridges usually need to be replaced every 5 to 15 years, which means you’ll need to spend more to replace them later.
• Jaw Bone Loss: Bridges don’t prevent bone loss in the jaw where the tooth is missing, which can end up affecting your facial structure over time.
• Higher Risk of Decay: The anchor teeth are more prone to decay and gum disease due to the structural demands of supporting the bridge.
• Special Cleaning Requirements: Bridges need diligent cleaning under and around the false tooth to avoid gum disease and decay.

Pros and Cons of Dental Implants

Dental implants may be the better choice for some people, but they also have some negatives. Here’s what you should know before choosing between dental implants and dental bridges.

Pros of Dental Implants

• Long-Lasting: Dental implants last longer. They’re designed to last a lifetime with proper care, making them a cost-effective choice over the long term.
• Preserves Adjacent Teeth: Implants don’t rely on nearby teeth for support, so they don’t require any alteration of healthy teeth.
• Prevents Bone Loss: Implants are placed directly into the jawbone, which helps stimulate and preserve bone, maintaining your facial structure.
• Natural Appearance and Function: Implants closely resemble the look of natural teeth, providing a natural appearance. They also function just like natural teeth for chewing and speaking.
• Low Maintenance: Implants are easier to maintain as they don’t need special cleaning routines, unlike bridges.

Dental Implants Cons

• Higher Initial Cost: The initial cost of implants is higher, although they may prove cost-effective over time due to their durability.
• Surgical Procedure Required: Dental implant surgery carries risks such as infection or nerve damage, and may not be suitable for everyone.
• Longer Treatment Time: While an implant can be placed quickly, it needs several months to complete, including healing time for the bone to integrate with the implant.
• Bone Density Requirement: Dental implants usually need sufficient jawbone, which may mean that additional procedures (like bone grafting) are needed for some patients.
• Potential Complications: Although rare, implants can have issues like peri-implantitis (infection around the implant), which may need further treatment and could compromise the prosthetic teeth.

Dental Bridge vs Implant Procedure

Bridge: The dentist prepares the two supporting teeth, takes a scan or impression, fits a temporary bridge, then bonds the final bridge a couple of weeks later. No surgery, finished quickly.

Implant. We begin with a CBCT scan to plan the exact position, place the post under local anaesthetic, then allow three to six months for the bone to fuse to the implant. Once it has healed, the crown is attached. It takes longer, but the result is a standalone tooth that does not rely on any others. Every implant we place is backed by our implant warranty.

Comparing the cost in Perth

Cost is one of the biggest factors in this decision, so here are the prices at Radiant Smiles in Perth. Upfront the two are closer than most people expect, and over the long run an implant often works out the better value because it lasts far longer and rarely needs replacing.

• Dental bridge. A single tooth bridge ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the type of bridge and the materials.
• Dental implant. A single restored implant, which includes the post, the abutment and the crown, starts from $3,990. If the crown on top ever needs replacing later, that is from $1,500.
• Full arch. For several missing teeth, All-on-4 starts from $25,000 per arch. See our guide to full-mouth dental implant cost.

Notice that a single restored implant from $3,990 sits inside the same band as a single tooth bridge, so at our clinic the implant is not the far pricier option people assume. The long-term picture then favours it further: a bridge often needs replacing every 10 to 15 years, while an implant post usually keeps going and only the crown on top may need attention after a decade.

Prices are guide figures and depend on your individual case. Book a free implant consult for a fixed quote.

How to choose between a bridge and an implant

The right choice comes down to your situation. A few simple guidelines:

• Single missing tooth with healthy neighbours? An implant is usually best, because there is no reason to crown two good teeth.
• The neighbouring teeth already need crowns? A bridge makes good sense and does double duty.
• Lost bone in the area? A bridge may be simpler, or an implant with a graft. A scan will tell us.
• Watching the budget? At Radiant Smiles a single restored implant from $3,990 sits in the same range as a single tooth bridge ($3,000 to $5,000), and over twenty years the implant usually works out the better value because it lasts far longer.
• Replacing several teeth in a row? Look at an implant-supported bridge or All-on-4 in Perth rather than a long conventional bridge.

You can read more about each treatment on our dental implants Perth and dental bridges pages.

Paying for treatment in Perth

Cost stops a lot of people from getting treatment, so here is how Radiant Smiles patients fund it:

• Health funds. We are an HBF and NIB preferred provider and claim your rebate on the spot through HICAPS, so you only pay the gap.
• Your super. Many patients release super early to fund implants through SuperCare when health-fund limits fall short.
• Payment plans. We offer plans that spread the cost across instalments.
• Free implant consult. Your implant consultation and treatment plan are free, so you get a fixed quote before committing.

Dental bridge vs implant FAQs

Which lasts longer, a bridge or an implant?

An implant lasts longer. The post can last 20 to 30 years or more, while a bridge usually needs replacing every 5 to 15 years.

Is a bridge cheaper than an implant?

Not by much. A single tooth bridge ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, while a single restored implant starts from $3,990, so the two overlap upfront. Over twenty years the implant often works out cheaper, because a bridge is replaced more than once in that time while the implant keeps going.

Does a bridge or implant damage the teeth next to it?

A bridge requires the two neighbouring teeth to be filed down and crowned. An implant leaves them completely untouched, which is one of its main advantages.

Can I get a bridge or implant if I have bone loss or gum disease?

Gum disease needs to be treated first in both cases. An implant also needs enough healthy bone, so if you have lost bone you may need a graft or a bridge may be the simpler option. A CBCT scan tells us which path suits you.

Does HBF or NIB cover a bridge or implant?

Both attract a rebate under most dental extras policies. As an HBF and NIB preferred provider we claim it instantly through HICAPS, so you pay only the difference. The exact rebate depends on your level of cover.

Talk to a Perth dentist about your options

The best way to choose is a free consult with one of our dentists, who will look at your missing tooth, the teeth around it and your bone, then give you a fixed quote for both options. Book your free consultation at our Yokine or Albany clinic.

Reviewed by Dr Justin Soon, implant dentist at Radiant Smiles, Perth.

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