A clear, balanced guide to the three main ways to replace a missing tooth: dental implants, bridges, and dentures. Includes costs, lifespan, and what to ask your dentist.
Losing a tooth — whether from decay, gum disease, an accident, or an extraction — affects more than just your appearance. Over time, the bone underneath a gap starts to shrink because there is no longer a tooth root to stimulate it. Neighbouring teeth can tilt into the space, and the tooth above or below may start to move too.
Replacing a missing tooth helps to:
Prevent bone loss in the jaw
Stop neighbouring teeth from drifting or tilting
Restore your ability to chew comfortably
Maintain the shape of your face and jaw
Improve confidence when you smile or speak
There are three main options: dental implants, bridges, and dentures. Each has real benefits and real drawbacks. This leaflet explains all three so you can have an informed conversation with your dentist.
Option 1 — Dental implant
A dental implant is a small titanium screw placed directly into your jawbone. It acts as an artificial tooth root. Once it has fused with the bone (a process called osseointegration, usually taking 3–6 months), a custom-made crown is fitted on top.
The process typically involves:
A thorough assessment, including X-rays or a cone beam CT scan
Minor surgical placement of the implant under local anaesthetic
A healing period of 3–6 months before the crown is fitted
Total treatment time: usually 6–12 months from start to finish
Benefits:
Looks, feels, and functions most like a natural tooth
Preserves jawbone and prevents bone loss
Does not involve cutting or crowning healthy neighbouring teeth
With good care, can last 15–25+ years — sometimes a lifetime
Easy to clean — brush and floss as normal
Drawbacks and risks:
Higher upfront cost — typically £2,500–£4,000 per tooth in private practice. The exact cost will be confirmed on your individual treatment plan. Fees vary between practices and depend on the complexity of your case.
Not usually available on the NHS for straightforward tooth replacement
Requires minor surgery and a healing period — total treatment is slow
Not suitable if you have significant bone loss (may need a bone graft first), uncontrolled diabetes, or certain medical conditions
Risk of implant failure (roughly 5–10% over 10 years in studies)
Peri-implantitis (gum disease around the implant) can occur if oral hygiene is poor
Approximate lifespan: The implant itself has the potential to last many decades with good oral hygiene and regular professional maintenance. The crown on top may need replacing after 10–15 years.
Option 2 — Dental bridge
A bridge uses the teeth on either side of the gap as anchors. Those anchor teeth (called abutment teeth) are prepared — usually by removing some enamel — so that crowns can be fitted over them. The replacement tooth (called a pontic) hangs between them, bridging the gap.
A variation called a resin-bonded bridge (Maryland bridge) uses metal or ceramic wings that bond to the back of adjacent teeth, requiring much less or no drilling. This is often used for front teeth.
Benefits:
Fixed in place — you cannot remove it
No surgery required
Faster treatment than an implant — usually 2–4 appointments over a few weeks
More affordable than implants — typically £800–£1,500 per unit in private practice (NHS Band 3: £319.10 where available). The exact cost will be confirmed on your individual treatment plan. Fees vary between practices and depend on the complexity of your case.
Looks natural with good results, especially for front teeth
Drawbacks and risks:
Healthy neighbouring teeth must be prepared (drilled), which permanently alters them — this is irreversible
Does not prevent bone loss beneath the gap, as there is no root stimulating the bone
Can be harder to clean underneath — requires special floss threaders or interdental brushes
Average lifespan is 10–15 years before the bridge may need replacing
If one anchor tooth fails, the whole bridge is affected
Resin-bonded bridges may debond and need re-cementing
Approximate lifespan: 10–15 years on average, though many last longer with excellent care.
Option 3 — Denture (removable plate)
A denture is a removable plate that replaces one or more missing teeth. A partial denture fills a gap while the remaining natural teeth are still present. A full (complete) denture replaces all teeth on one or both arches.
Partial dentures can be made from acrylic (plastic) or cobalt-chrome (a stronger metal framework with plastic teeth). Chrome dentures are generally more comfortable and durable.
Benefits:
Least invasive option — no surgery, no drilling of other teeth
Most affordable — typically £500–£1,500 privately for a partial denture, or £800–£2,500 for a full denture (NHS Band 3: £319.10 where available). The exact cost will be confirmed on your individual treatment plan. Fees vary between practices and depend on the complexity of your case.
Can replace multiple missing teeth at once
Relatively quick to make — usually 3–5 appointments
Can be adjusted or added to if you lose more teeth later
Drawbacks and risks:
Removable — must be taken out at night and cleaned separately
Can feel bulky or less natural compared to fixed options
Does not prevent bone loss beneath the gap
May need to be relined or remade as the jaw changes shape over time
Some people find dentures less comfortable for eating hard or sticky foods
Clasps on partial dentures can put some strain on adjacent teeth
Poor fit over time can cause sore spots on the gum
Approximate lifespan: 5–10 years before a reline or replacement is typically needed, as the jawbone and gum naturally change shape.
Quick comparison at a glance
The table below gives a rough side-by-side summary. Remember that every patient is different — your dentist will advise on what is most suitable for you personally.
Implant: Most natural feel | Preserves bone | No drilling of neighbours | Slowest (6–12 months) | Most expensive (£2,500–£4,000 private) | Longest lasting (15–25+ years)
Bridge: Fixed and natural-looking | No surgery | Requires drilling neighbours | Moderate speed (weeks) | Mid-range cost (£800–£1,500 private / NHS Band 3: £319.10) | 10–15 years average
Denture: Least invasive | No surgery or drilling | Removable | Quickest | Least expensive (£500–£1,500 partial / £800–£2,500 full private / NHS Band 3: £319.10) | 5–10 years before reline/remake
NHS charges are set nationally and reviewed annually. Private fees are a guide — your dentist will confirm the exact cost on your treatment plan before you agree to proceed. Not all treatments are available on the NHS — your dentist will advise on what is covered in your case.
What affects which option is right for you?
No single option is right for everyone. Your dentist will consider several factors when making a recommendation:
Amount of bone available — implants need sufficient bone depth and width; bone grafting may be needed if there has been significant loss
General health — conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, blood-thinning medication, or a history of radiotherapy to the jaw can affect implant suitability
Smoking — significantly reduces implant success rates; your dentist may recommend quitting before implant surgery
Condition of neighbouring teeth — if they already need crowns, a bridge may make excellent use of that treatment; if they are healthy, an implant preserves them
Number of missing teeth — multiple gaps may make dentures or implant-retained dentures more practical
Budget and time — implants require more time and investment; dentures or bridges may be more practical in the short term
Your preference — some patients strongly prefer a fixed solution; others are comfortable with a removable option
Questions to ask your dentist
When you discuss your options, these questions can help you make the best decision for your situation:
Which option would you recommend for me, and why?
Am I a suitable candidate for a dental implant?
Would any of my neighbouring teeth need to be drilled for a bridge?
How much bone do I have, and would I need a bone graft?
What are the long-term costs of each option over 10–20 years?
What happens if I choose not to replace the tooth at all?
How will each option affect my ability to eat and speak?
What does the cleaning and maintenance routine look like for each option?
You do not have to decide immediately. Take time to consider your options and ask any follow-up questions before committing to treatment.
NHS charges are set nationally and reviewed annually. Private fees are a guide — your dentist will confirm the exact cost on your treatment plan before you agree to proceed. NHS availability varies by area and not all treatments are available on the NHS. Your dentist will discuss the best option for your specific case.
This leaflet is for general information only and does not replace professional dental advice. It is intended to support — not replace — the discussion with your dentist about your individual options, risks, and treatment plan. Your dentist will confirm what is suitable for your specific circumstances before you agree to any treatment.
References
Aligned with guidance from: FGDP(UK), NICE, SDCEP.