Treatment Guides

Implant or Bridge? The Right Choice for a Missing Tooth

The 5 criteria you need to know to decide between an implant and a bridge when replacing a missing tooth.

Panorama Oral & Dental Health 2 min read Updated: 31 October 2026
Dentist examining a patient's tooth
Implant or bridge: the decision for a missing tooth is made at the examination · Source: U.S. Department of State, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain) · Illustrative image; not an actual patient.

Even a single missing tooth can disrupt your chewing balance, cause neighbouring teeth to shift and the opposing tooth to over-erupt. So should the solution be an implant or a bridge?

1. Condition of the Neighbouring Teeth

A bridge requires the healthy teeth on either side of the gap to be reduced. If these teeth already have fillings or crowns, a bridge may be considered; if they are intact, an implant allows them to be preserved.

2. Bone Volume

An implant requires sufficient bone. If there is bone loss, the site can be prepared with a graft; this extends the treatment time.

3. Duration

A bridge is usually completed in 1-2 weeks; implant treatment may take 3-6 months. In suitable cases, temporary solutions can be discussed.

4. Lifespan

Bridges have a limited average lifespan and may need to be replaced over time. With regular care and check-ups, implants can be used for many years; the duration varies from person to person.

5. Hygiene

An implant is brushed and flossed like a single tooth. Cleaning under a bridge requires an interdental brush.

The decision is personal and is made together with an examination; you can book an examination appointment at our Haliç or Pendik clinic.

A tooth that will anchor a bridge sometimes needs nerve treatment first, and we walk through each step of root canal treatment in a separate guide.

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This article is for general information only; it does not replace diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your dentist about your symptoms.

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Panorama Oral & Dental Health

Information articles prepared by the dentists of our Haliç and Pendik clinics.

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