Losing a tooth — or several — raises an important question: what's the best way to replace it? At our St. John's practice, patients generally choose between three options: dental implants, a bridge, or dentures. Each has its place, and the right answer depends on your mouth, your priorities, and your budget.

Dental Implants: The Gold Standard

An implant replaces both the root and the crown of the missing tooth with a titanium post and a custom crown. It's the closest thing to getting your natural tooth back.

• Pros: looks and feels natural, preserves jawbone, doesn't affect neighbouring teeth, can last a lifetime
• Cons: highest up-front cost, requires minor surgery and healing time

Bridges: A Fixed Middle Ground

A bridge fills the gap by anchoring a false tooth to the teeth on either side.

• Pros: fixed in place (not removable), faster than implants, no surgery
• Cons: requires grinding down the healthy neighbouring teeth, doesn't preserve the bone under the gap, typically needs replacing after 10–15 years

Dentures: The Most Affordable

Dentures are removable replacements for several or all teeth.

• Pros: lowest cost, non-surgical, can replace many teeth at once
• Cons: removable, can feel less stable, don't stop bone loss, may need periodic relining

How I Help Patients Choose

If preserving long-term bone and function is the priority and the budget allows, implants are usually the best investment. If you need something fixed but less invasive, a bridge can be a good fit. If you're replacing many teeth or cost is the main concern, modern dentures — sometimes stabilized by a couple of implants — can work well. There's no one-size-fits-all answer.

Let's Talk Through It

The best way to decide is a conversation and an exam. We'll walk you through what each option would look like for your specific situation, honestly and without pressure. Call us at (709) 400-7474 or book online to get started.