Tooth Replacement 101: Comparing RPDs, FPDs, and Implants

By: Brittany M.

There are many reasons why someone may lose a tooth,  trauma, cavities, gum disease, or other oral health issues. But the bigger question is: what comes next?

Leaving a gap in your smile isn’t just an aesthetic concern. Missing teeth can lead to:

• Shifting teeth that affect your bite

• Overeruption, where opposing teeth grow into the empty space

• Bone loss, as the jawbone weakens without stimulation from a tooth root

  
  

Fortunately, several tooth replacement options exist. The right choice depends on your oral health, bone quality, and personal preferences. Below, we break down the most common solutions: dental implants, fixed partial dentures (FPDs), and removable partial dentures (RPDs),  including their benefits and risks.

Dental Implants

According to the FDA, dental implants are medical devices surgically placed into the jawbone to restore chewing function, appearance, and stability. Implants can also support crowns, bridges, or dentures.

Before getting implants, your dentist will evaluate whether you're a good candidate based on your bone health, gum condition, and overall medical status.

Benefits

• Restores the ability to chew naturally

• Closest aesthetic match to a natural tooth

• Preserves the jawbone and prevents shrinkage

• Keeps adjacent teeth stable

• Improves quality of life and confidence

• Doesn’t require altering healthy neighboring teeth

  
  

Risks

• Potential injury to nearby teeth or tissues (e.g., sinus perforation)

• Bite misalignment or changes in chewing sensation

• Risk of implant failure from uncontrolled/severe systemic diseases, smoking, or poor healing

• Higher risk of gum infections without proper cleaning

• Longer treatment timeline (healing can take months)

• Higher upfront cost compared to other options

Fixed Partial Dentures (FPDs / Bridges)

FPDs, commonly called dental bridges, are non-removable restorations anchored to teeth adjacent to the gap. They replace one or more missing teeth with a prosthetic tooth supported by crowns on neighboring teeth.

Benefits

• Provides a stable, natural-looking replacement

• Good aesthetics and proper chewing function

• Helps maintain the natural arch form

• Generally less expensive than implants

  
  

Risks

• Requires reshaping healthy neighboring teeth for support

• Increased risk of cavities and gum disease around anchoring teeth

• Supporting teeth are more susceptible to root canals or fractures

• Bridges may fail if the surrounding teeth or gums become compromised

Removable Partial Dentures (RPDs)

RPDs are custom-made appliances that replace missing teeth and are supported by your remaining teeth, gums, or implants. Unlike FPDs, these can be removed for cleaning and are often used when implants or bridges aren’t feasible due to cost, bone loss, or insufficient supporting teeth.

Benefits

• More affordable than implants or bridges

• Helps restore chewing and speech

• Flexible design options (clasps, magnets, or implant-assisted support)

  
  

Risks

• Less aesthetic compared to implants or bridges

• Can feel bulky or uncomfortable at first

• May increase the risk of cavities, gum disease, and oral infections if not cleaned properly

• Requires consistent maintenance, including daily removal and cleaning

• Comfort and satisfaction vary based on age, material, number, and location of missing teeth, etc.

Choosing the Right Option

Your comfort, appearance, and oral health goals are unique, and so is your treatment plan. A thorough evaluation with your dentist will help determine whether an implant, bridge, or RPD best fits your needs.

References:

Awawdeh, M., Alotaibi, M. B., Alharbi, A. H., Alnafisah, S. A., Alasiri, T. S., & Alrashidi, N. I. (2024). A Systematic Review of Patient Satisfaction With Removable Partial Dentures (RPDs). Cureus, 16(1), e51793. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.51793

Nesbit, S. P., Reside, J., Moretti, A., Gerdts, G., Boushell, L. W., & Barrero, C. (n.d.). Definitive phase of treatment(Chapter 10). In S. J. Stefanac & S. P. Nesbit (Eds.), Diagnosis and treatment planning in dentistry (4th ed., pp. 226–257). Elsevier.

Rosenstiel, S. F., Land, M. F., & Walter, R. D. (2022). Contemporary fixed prosthodontics (6th ed., p. 97). Elsevier.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021, October 29). Dental implants: What you should know. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/dental-devices/dental-implants-what-you-should-know

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board