Stuck deciding between implants or a bridge, could use some advice

I totally get your hesitation—been there myself. I went with an implant after losing a tooth (sports injury, not popcorn, but equally embarrassing lol). Honestly, implants are pricier upfront and the process does drag on a bit, but long-term they're pretty unbeatable. Bridges can be quicker, sure, but you're right to worry about the neighboring teeth. My dentist explained that bridges require shaving down healthy teeth to anchor them, which can weaken them over time. Plus, implants help preserve your jawbone structure since they mimic natural tooth roots—something bridges don't really do.

That said, everyone's situation is different. If budget or timing is a big concern, a bridge might still be a decent option. But if you can swing it financially and handle the wait, I'd strongly lean toward the implant route. It's been five years for me now and zero regrets...feels just like my original tooth did.

"Honestly, implants are pricier upfront and the process does drag on a bit, but long-term they're pretty unbeatable."

This is exactly what we found when my daughter needed a tooth replaced after an accident at gymnastics. We debated the bridge too, but the idea of shaving down perfectly healthy teeth just didn’t sit right. The implant process was definitely drawn out (and pricey!), but now that it's done, it feels like we made the right call. She barely notices it anymore...just something to think about if you're leaning toward implants.