Restorative dentistry · Missing teeth
Replacing missing teeth
Implants, bridges or dentures. We help you choose the option that fits your mouth, your lifestyle and your budget, with every cost written down first.
Filling the gap
The right option for you
A missing tooth affects more than your smile. It changes how you chew, how your bite meets and, over time, how the teeth around the gap behave.
There are four main ways to replace a missing tooth: a dental implant, a conventional bridge, an adhesive bridge or a denture. Implants and bridges are fixed in place; dentures come out to be cleaned each day.
Which suits you depends on how many teeth are missing, the health of your gums, bone and neighbouring teeth, the size of the gap and your budget. We start with a thorough examination, then talk you through each option and what it would cost.
- Fixed or removable, explained in plain English
- Minimally invasive adhesive bridges, often with no drilling
- Speedy 3D printed dentures, made in our own lab
Four ways to replace a tooth
How each option works
At a glance
Implant, bridge or denture? Side by side
Tap an option on your phone, or scan across on a larger screen. Every case is different, so we will go through this with you.
| Dental implant | Conventional bridge | Adhesive bridge | Denture | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | A titanium root placed in the jawbone, with a crown fitted on top | A false tooth held on crowns fitted to the teeth either side | A false tooth with a thin wing bonded to the back of one neighbouring tooth | A removable plate with false teeth, resting on the gum |
| Drilling of neighbouring teeth | None: the neighbouring teeth are left alone | Yes: the supporting teeth are trimmed for crowns | Little or none | None, though clasps may rest on teeth |
| Surgery | Yes, a minor procedure under local anaesthetic | No | No | No |
| Visits | Usually several over 3 to 6 months while the bone heals | Usually two | Usually two | One to three; speedy 3D printed dentures often the same day |
| How long it lasts | Often 15 years or more with good care | Typically 10 to 15 years | Often 10 years or more; can usually be re-bonded if it comes loose | Typically 5 to 10 years before a reline or replacement |
| Investment | Highest investment | Higher investment | Higher investment | More affordable |
| Find out about implants | Find out about bridges | Find out about adhesive bridges | Find out about dentures |
Dental implant
- How it works
- A titanium root placed in the jawbone, with a crown fitted on top
- Drilling of neighbouring teeth
- None: the neighbouring teeth are left alone
- Surgery
- Yes, a minor procedure under local anaesthetic
- Visits
- Usually several over 3 to 6 months while the bone heals
- How long it lasts
- Often 15 years or more with good care
- Investment
- Highest investment
Conventional bridge
- How it works
- A false tooth held on crowns fitted to the teeth either side
- Drilling of neighbouring teeth
- Yes: the supporting teeth are trimmed for crowns
- Surgery
- No
- Visits
- Usually two
- How long it lasts
- Typically 10 to 15 years
- Investment
- Higher investment
Adhesive bridge
- How it works
- A false tooth with a thin wing bonded to the back of one neighbouring tooth
- Drilling of neighbouring teeth
- Little or none
- Surgery
- No
- Visits
- Usually two
- How long it lasts
- Often 10 years or more; can usually be re-bonded if it comes loose
- Investment
- Higher investment
Denture
- How it works
- A removable plate with false teeth, resting on the gum
- Drilling of neighbouring teeth
- None, though clasps may rest on teeth
- Surgery
- No
- Visits
- One to three; speedy 3D printed dentures often the same day
- How long it lasts
- Typically 5 to 10 years before a reline or replacement
- Investment
- More affordable
Lifespans are typical figures and depend on your bite, your cleaning and regular check-ups. Use the cost estimator below, or see our fees page for current prices. Your written plan confirms every fee before treatment.
How long they last
Lifespan, honestly
Dental implant15+ years
Often 15 years or more with good cleaning and check-ups. The crown on top may need replacing at some point.
Conventional bridge10–15 years
Held on crowns fitted to the teeth either side of the gap.
Adhesive bridge10+ years
Can usually be re-bonded if it comes loose.
Denture5–10 years
Gums change shape over time, so dentures need relining or replacing.
3D printed dentureTemporary
Mostly used as a temporary or transitional denture while the gums and bone settle after extractions; there is less research on how long they last.
Typical figures, not guarantees. How long any option lasts depends on cleaning, your bite and regular check-ups.
Cost estimator
What might replacing missing teeth cost?
Choose how many teeth are missing in a row and an option to see an indicative price. Not every option suits every gap: your dentist will explain which are right for you.
Missing teeth cost estimator
For bridges, implants and dentures: choose how many teeth are missing in a row, then an option.
Indicative cost with 0% finance
–a month
or – in full · 12 months at 0%
Spread the cost over 12 months with no interest on qualifying treatment. Jasmine, our patient coordinator, helps you apply in a few minutes. Subject to status. We are a credit broker, not a lender: finance details.
Indicative only. Implant fees are from a price per implant; where an implant carries more than one tooth, each extra tooth is priced as a crown. Your written treatment plan sets out the exact fee after your consultation.
Book a consultation
Your options in more detail
Find out more
Dental implantsThe closest thing to a natural tooth: a titanium root in the bone with a crown on top. No drilling of the teeth next door.Find out more
BridgesFixed false teeth held by the teeth either side, including our minimally invasive adhesive bridges.Find out more
DenturesRemovable partial or full dentures, including speedy 3D printed dentures designed and printed here.Find out more
Results
Gaps filled, smiles restored
Photographs of our own patients, shown with their permission. Every result is different.
What if I leave the gap?
Why a gap matters
Not every gap needs filling, and sometimes leaving it is a reasonable choice. But over time, a missing tooth can lead to:
- neighbouring teeth tipping or drifting into the space
- the opposite tooth growing down into the gap
- food trapping, which raises the risk of decay and gum disease
- more chewing load on the remaining teeth
- the bone shrinking where the tooth used to be, which can make an implant harder later
If you are about to lose a tooth, talk to us first. Planning ahead can protect the bone and keep all your options open.
How we plan your new tooth
Examine
A thorough check of your teeth, gums, bone and bite, with X-rays.
Discuss
We go through each option, its pros and cons and its cost, in plain English.
Plan
A written plan with every stage and fee. 0% finance is available on qualifying treatment.
Treat
Treatment at your pace, with a temporary tooth if you need one while you decide.
Prices
Tooth replacement prices
All our prices are kept in one place, on our fees page, so they are always up to date. Your written treatment plan confirms every fee before anything begins, and 0% finance over 12 months is available on qualifying treatment, subject to status.
Questions
Replacing missing teeth FAQs
Which option is best?
It depends on how many teeth are missing, the health of your gums, bone and neighbouring teeth, the size of the gap and your budget. We talk through the pros and cons of each with you.
How are bridges priced?
Each crown and each false tooth in a bridge is one unit. Most bridges replacing one tooth have two units, and an adhesive bridge costs less than a conventional one. The cost estimator on this page shows typical totals, and our [fees page](/fees#advanced) lists current prices.
What happens if I don't replace a missing tooth?
Neighbouring teeth can drift into the gap, the opposite tooth can over-erupt, and chewing can become harder. Bone can also shrink where the tooth was.
Can I have a temporary tooth while I decide?
Yes. We can often make a temporary denture quickly, and speedy 3D printed dentures can be made the same day when booked.
Can I spread the cost?
Yes. 0% finance over 12 months is available on qualifying treatment, subject to status.
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