If you are weighing up your missing teeth options, the four main routes are dental implants, implant-supported dentures, bridges and conventional dentures. Implants last longest and feel most like a natural tooth, bridges suit gaps beside healthy teeth, and dentures are the most affordable way to replace several teeth at once. The right choice depends on how many teeth you have lost, your jawbone and your budget. Here is how they compare.
Implants
From £1,500
Bridges
From £800
Dentures
From £800
Every option does the same basic job, filling the gap so your teeth do not drift and your bite stays even. Where they differ is how they are fixed, how long they last and what they cost. This table gives you the short version, and the sections below go deeper.
| Option | How it works | Longevity | Indicative cost at 72 Dental |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental implant | Titanium root fused to the jaw, topped with a crown | Implant can last 20 years or more | Implant £1,500, crown from £1,000 |
| Implant denture | A denture that clips onto implants for stability | Long-term with good care | Lower arch from £5,995 |
| Dental bridge | False tooth anchored to the teeth either side | Around 7 to 10 years | From £800 |
| Conventional denture | Removable plate that sits over the gums | Around 5 to 7 years | Acrylic from £800 |
Prices are starting points from our Coulsdon practice; your written plan after a consultation confirms your exact figure.
A dental implant replaces the root of the tooth with a titanium post that fuses to your jaw, then a crown is fitted on top. Because it is anchored in bone, it feels and functions much like a real tooth, and it can help slow the bone loss that follows losing a tooth.
Implants are the most durable option. With good care and regular check-ups, the implant itself can last twenty years or more, though the crown may need replacing after ten to fifteen years through normal wear. The trade-off is that placement involves minor surgery and a healing period, and it is usually the higher upfront cost. At 72 Dental the implant is £1,500 with the crown from £1,000, so a single tooth comes to around £2,500.
If you are missing several teeth or a whole arch, an implant-supported denture clips onto a small number of implants so it stays put. No more slipping, sore gums or trouble eating. It is a big step up from a conventional denture and generally more affordable than replacing every tooth with its own implant, starting from £5,995 for a lower arch.
This suits people who have struggled with loose dentures for years and want to eat and speak with confidence again.
A dental bridge fills a gap by anchoring a false tooth to the teeth on either side. It is fixed rather than removable, and it is quicker than an implant because there is no surgery or healing period, often fitted across two appointments. Bridges start from £800 and typically last seven to ten years.
The catch is that we usually need to reshape the neighbouring teeth to hold the bridge. If those teeth are already crowned or heavily filled, that is no great loss, but we are reluctant to reduce healthy enamel just to fit a bridge, so we will suggest an implant instead where that makes more sense.
Conventional dentures are removable plates that replace some or all of your teeth. Modern acrylic and metal dentures are far more comfortable and natural-looking than the ones you might remember, and they are the most budget-friendly way to replace several teeth at once. Acrylic partial dentures start from £800, and metal chrome-cobalt dentures from £1,450 per arch. They generally need replacing or relining every five to seven years as your gums change shape.
Start with how many teeth you are replacing and the health of what is left. One missing tooth beside strong neighbours might point to an implant or a bridge. Several missing teeth might mean individual implants, an implant denture or a conventional denture, depending on your budget and jawbone. Your dentist will also check whether you need any groundwork first, such as a bone graft, before an implant.
Cost matters, and so does the long view. A denture is cheaper today, while an implant often works out well over its lifetime because it lasts so long. For a full breakdown of figures, see our dental implant cost guide, and remember 0% finance can spread any of these treatments.
The four main options are dental implants, implant-supported dentures, bridges and conventional dentures. Implants are the most durable and natural-feeling, bridges suit a single gap beside healthy teeth, and dentures are the most affordable way to replace several teeth. The right choice depends on your mouth and budget.
For one missing tooth beside healthy teeth, a dental implant is usually the most tooth-like and durable answer, at around £2,500 all in at 72 Dental. A bridge is a fixed, non-surgical alternative from £800, though it means reshaping the neighbouring teeth.
Implants last longest and feel most natural, and they help preserve jawbone, but they cost more upfront and involve minor surgery. Bridges and dentures are quicker and cheaper. Better depends on your priorities, so it is worth comparing all three at a consultation.
At 72 Dental, dentures start from £800, bridges from £800, implant dentures from £5,995, and a single implant with crown is around £2,500. Your exact cost is confirmed in a written plan after your consultation, and 0% finance is available.
A dental implant can last twenty years or more, with the crown replaced after ten to fifteen. Bridges typically last seven to ten years, and conventional dentures around five to seven before they need replacing or relining. Good oral care extends all of them.
Yes. Options include individual implants, an implant-supported denture that clips onto a few implants, a longer bridge, or a partial or full denture. The best approach depends on how many teeth are missing and the condition of your jawbone.
It does. A gap lets neighbouring teeth drift and tilt to fill the space, which can cause sensitivity and make cleaning harder, and the jawbone under the gap shrinks over time. Replacing a missing tooth sooner keeps the rest of your bite stable.
The honest answer is that the best option is the one that fits your mouth, your priorities and your budget, and you do not have to work that out alone. Book a free restorative consultation at our Coulsdon practice and Dr Raman Sandhu will assess your teeth, talk you through every option and give you a clear, all-inclusive plan with no pressure to decide on the day.
