Missing one or more teeth and not sure what to do next? You have three real options: dental implants, dental bridges, or dentures. Each works well in different situations. The right choice depends on how many teeth are missing, the health of the surrounding teeth, your budget, and how you want it to feel long-term. At Two Rivers Dental Group in Springfield, OR, Dr. Matthew Collins helps you weigh all three honestly and pick the option that actually fits your situation. This page walks you through the comparison.
Start Here
Most patients fall into one of three situations. Find yours below to see which options actually apply.
One tooth lost to extraction, decay, or trauma. The teeth on either side are still healthy and the rest of your mouth is in good shape.
Several teeth missing in a row or scattered through your mouth. Some healthy teeth remain, but the gaps are starting to affect chewing and how your other teeth are shifting.
All or nearly all teeth missing in your upper or lower arch, or both. You need a full restoration that handles eating, speaking, and confidence at scale.
Side-by-Side Comparison
All three options replace missing teeth, but they're built differently and feel different long-term. Here's the honest comparison across the factors that matter most.
Decision Flow
Walk through these four questions to help focus on which option likely fits best. Dr. Collins covers all of this at your consultation, but it helps to think through it ahead of time.
Real Scenarios
Here are three real patient situations and how Dr. Collins typically approaches each. If your situation sounds like one of these, the matched option is usually a good starting point.
I lost a tooth in a sports accident. I want it fixed permanently and I don't want to worry about it again.
Single tooth implant. Healthy bone, plenty of life left to enjoy the result, no need to alter neighboring teeth.
I have two missing teeth next to each other. The teeth on both sides have old fillings that probably need to be replaced anyway.
Traditional bridge. The crowns on the anchor teeth give those failing fillings a permanent fix in the same procedure.
I've struggled with my teeth for years and I'm tired of patchwork repairs. I want a full reset that fits my budget.
Full or implant-supported dentures. A complete fresh start, more affordable than full-arch implants, with the option to add stability later.
Two Rivers Dental Group serves replacement consultations across Springfield, Eugene, Coburg, Thurston, Pleasant Hill, Creswell, and the surrounding Lane County communities. Our office at 1717 Centennial Blvd, Suite #3 is open Tuesday through Friday. Call (541) 746-9552 to schedule a no-pressure consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule a no-pressure consultation with Dr. Collins at our Springfield office. We'll walk through all three options together and help you pick what actually fits.
Call (541) 746-9552