Carmel Dental Clinic
Patient guide
Replacing a missing tooth: implant, bridge or denture
There are three ways to fill the gap left by a missing tooth, and none of them is right for everybody. The best choice depends on the teeth either side, the bone, your general health, how many teeth are missing and what you want to spend.
General information from Carmel Dental Clinic, last reviewed . Not a diagnosis.
Dental implant
A titanium post is placed in the jawbone where the root used to be. Once the bone has healed around it, usually over a few months, a crown is fitted on top.
Its main advantage is that it stands on its own: the teeth either side are not touched, and the bone where the tooth was stays in use. It needs enough healthy bone and reasonably good general health, it takes the longest to complete, and it is usually the most expensive option at the start.
Bridge
A false tooth is held in place by crowns on the teeth either side of the gap. It is fixed, so it does not come out, and it is usually completed in a couple of visits.
The trade-off is that the neighbouring teeth are trimmed to take the crowns. If those teeth already have large fillings, that matters less; if they are healthy and untouched, it is a real cost. Cleaning under a bridge also takes a little extra care every day.
Denture
A removable plate carrying one or more false teeth, held by clasps around your remaining teeth or by suction on the gums. It can replace several missing teeth at once, needs no surgery, and is usually the least expensive option.
It is also the one people take longest to get used to. It moves more than an implant or a bridge, comes out for cleaning, and may need adjusting or remaking as the gums change over the years.
The questions that usually decide it
- Are the teeth either side of the gap healthy and untouched? If so, not trimming them counts in favour of an implant.
- Is there enough bone? If not, an implant may need extra procedures first, and a bridge or denture may be simpler.
- How many teeth are missing, and where? Several separate gaps often point towards a partial denture.
- Do you smoke, or have a condition such as poorly controlled diabetes? Both affect how implants heal and should be discussed.
- Do you want something fixed, or are you comfortable with something you take out?
- What does each option cost now, and what is it likely to need over the next ten years?
Questions we are actually asked
Do I have to replace a missing back tooth at all?
Not always. If the gap is at the very back and the surrounding teeth are stable, leaving it can be reasonable. The risk is that neighbouring and opposite teeth drift over time, and an examination shows whether that is likely in your case.
How long does each option take?
A bridge or denture is usually completed within a few weeks. An implant typically takes several months from placement to the final crown, because the bone needs time to heal around it.
Which lasts the longest?
An implant that has healed into healthy bone and is kept clean can last many years, often decades, though the crown on top may need replacing. Bridges commonly last ten years or more. Dentures usually need relining or remaking as the gums change. Cleaning and gum health matter as much as the option chosen.
Find out what suits your gap
Bring any recent X-rays if you have them. After an examination you will be told which options are realistic for you, and the cost of each.
This page describes a dental procedure in general terms. It is not a diagnosis and not a treatment plan, and outcomes vary from person to person. What is right for you is decided after a clinical examination at the clinic. See our terms and medical disclaimer.