Medically Reviewed by Dr. Edwin Porter, DDS, DICOI, FAGD on August 26, 2026
If you have a missing tooth, dental implants are worth considering because they replace the tooth root itself rather than just the visible crown, which is what allows them to preserve jawbone density in a way dental bridges cannot. There are a few cosmetic and functional restorations available to bring back your smile, and two of the most common options for missing teeth in Charlotte, NC are dental bridges and dental implants.
Both improve esthetics, oral health, and oral function, but they have distinct differences in durability, procedure length, cost, and how they affect the surrounding teeth and bone. Understanding those differences can help you have a more informed conversation with your dentist.
What Are Some Key Differences Between Dental Bridges and Dental Implants?
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge consists of one or more false teeth, called pontics, set between two abutment crowns. Pontics are usually made of ceramic or porcelain fused to metal. The abutment crowns can be attached to healthy natural teeth or dental implants, and if the last tooth on an arch needs replacement, a cantilever bridge can be attached with a single abutment crown.
Dental bridges tend to work well when the teeth surrounding your missing tooth already have crowns or could use them, since a bridge relies on those existing tooth roots to anchor the pontic that bridges the gap.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are composed of titanium posts topped with dental crowns. After placement, the post fuses with the surrounding jawbone through a natural process called osseointegration. Once the implant has integrated into the jawbone, a crown is attached using a small connector called an abutment.
With dental implants, single or multiple teeth can be restored without relying on neighboring natural teeth for support, which avoids the risk of damage to those teeth and helps protect the jawbone from the bone loss that follows tooth loss.
Why Does Replacing a Missing Tooth Matter for Your Jawbone?
When a tooth is lost and left unreplaced, the jawbone beneath it gradually loses density because it no longer receives stimulation from a tooth root. Over time, this bone loss can change the shape of your jaw and affect neighboring teeth, which is one of the main reasons dentists recommend addressing a missing tooth sooner rather than later, whether with a bridge or an implant.
Which Option Might Be Right for You?
Dental bridges can be a reasonable choice when neighboring teeth already need crowns or when a patient prefers to avoid a surgical procedure. Dental implants tend to be recommended when preserving the health of neighboring teeth and long-term jawbone density are priorities, or when a patient is missing several teeth that would otherwise require compromising healthy teeth to anchor a bridge. Your dentist can review your bone density, oral health, and goals during a consultation to help you weigh both options.
Are You Considering Dental Bridges or Dental Implants?
There’s no doubt that dental restoration procedures are a great way to reveal a renewed smile. Whether through dental bridges or dental implants, your options are worth exploring with a qualified provider.
Contact our doctor, Dr. Edwin Porter, in our office in Charlotte, NC to get started on a plan to achieve your best smile yet. Schedule your consultation today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Replacing a Missing Tooth
Is a dental implant better than a dental bridge?
Neither option is universally better; the right choice depends on your bone density, the condition of neighboring teeth, and your goals. Implants preserve jawbone density and do not rely on adjacent teeth, while bridges can be a good fit when neighboring teeth already need crowns.
What happens to my jawbone if I do not replace a missing tooth?
Without a tooth root to stimulate it, the jawbone beneath a missing tooth gradually loses density over time. This can change the shape of your jaw and affect the position of neighboring teeth, which is why dentists generally recommend replacing a missing tooth rather than leaving the gap.
Do dental implants damage the teeth next to the missing tooth?
Dental implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support, which is one advantage over a traditional bridge. A bridge requires reshaping the adjacent teeth to hold the abutment crowns, while an implant is placed independently in the jawbone.
Can a dental bridge be attached to a dental implant instead of natural teeth?
Yes, an implant-supported bridge uses one or more dental implants as anchors instead of natural teeth. This approach can replace several missing teeth in a row without placing extra load on the remaining natural teeth.
About the Author
Dr. Edwin Porter, DDS, DICOI, FAGD
Founder, Charlotte Dental Arts
Dr. Porter has over 20 years of experience in cosmetic and restorative dentistry and is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. He has been recognized as one of Charlotte Magazine’s “Top Dentists” for more than two decades and focuses his practice on smile makeovers, implant dentistry, and same-day restorative care.
