For patients who may already require crowns on adjacent teeth, sometimes a bridge is a more cost-effective way to restore their mouth. For those who do not, a dental implant is ideal. Occasionally, a traditional dental bridge is the only option if a person is not a candidate for an implant. In such cases, dental bridges are extremely valuable. The downside of a dental bridge is that the adjacent teeth must be reduced for crowns. If a patient does not need crowns on these teeth, this treatment creates the need to remove a significant amount of tooth structure. Dental bridges can be difficult for patients to clean, making them more prone to decay.