Losing a tooth affects more than your smile. It can change how you chew, how your other teeth line up and how your face looks over time. If you are weighing dental implants in Calgary against a bridge, you are not alone. Both are proven ways to replace a missing tooth, and the best choice depends on your mouth, your health and your goals.
Why Replacing a Missing Tooth Matters
When a tooth is lost, nearby teeth can drift into the gap and the opposing tooth may move too. This can affect your bite and make cleaning harder. The jawbone where the tooth used to be can also shrink over time because it no longer gets stimulation from chewing.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small post placed in the jawbone where the tooth root used to be. After it heals and bonds with the bone, an implant crown is attached on top.
Advantages: – Stands on its own without relying on nearby teeth – Helps maintain the jawbone by acting like a root – Looks and feels close to a natural tooth – Is cleaned much like a natural tooth
Things to consider: – Treatment takes several months to allow healing – Requires enough healthy bone, or bone grafting – Involves a minor surgical procedure – Higher upfront cost than some alternatives
What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge fills the gap with a false tooth that is anchored to crowns placed on the teeth on either side.
Advantages: – Usually completed in a few weeks – No surgery needed – A good option when nearby teeth already need crowns – Often a lower upfront cost
Things to consider: – Healthy neighbouring teeth must be reshaped for crowns – Does not stimulate the bone under the gap – Needs special cleaning under the false tooth – May need replacing sooner than an implant in some cases
Dental Implants in Calgary: Who Is a Good Candidate?
Good candidates generally have healthy gums, enough jawbone (or are open to grafting) and are in good overall health. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and heavy grinding can affect healing and long-term success, so we review your full health history. Age alone is rarely a barrier.
If a tooth still needs to come out, we can talk about timing. Sometimes an implant can be planned right after a tooth extraction, and sometimes the area needs to heal first.
Questions to Ask at Your Consultation
- What are all my options, including doing nothing?
- How healthy are the teeth next to the gap?
- Do I have enough bone for an implant?
- What is the timeline from start to finish?
- How do I care for each option long term?
- What will my insurance likely cover?
Dr. Schick takes time to answer each question and helps you weigh the trade-offs, without pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dental implants hurt? The area is numbed during placement. Most patients report mild soreness for a few days that is manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
How long do implants and bridges last? Both can last many years with good care and regular checkups. Implants often have a longer lifespan, but results vary by person.
Can I get a temporary tooth while my implant heals? In many cases, yes. We will discuss options so you are not left with a visible gap.
Book a Tooth Replacement Consultation in Calgary
Whether you are missing one tooth or several, we can help you understand your options. Call Evolution Dental at (403) 208-9965 or book online to visit our Crowfoot office.
