If you’ve lost a tooth, it’s tempting to just leave it. It’s not always visible, it doesn’t always hurt, and dealing with it feels like a bigger job than it needs to be. But a gap in your smile is rarely a one-tooth problem for long, and the earlier you understand your options, the more of them stay open to you.
The moment a tooth is gone, so is the root that used to stimulate the jawbone underneath it every time you bit down. Without that stimulation, the bone in that area starts to shrink, and it doesn’t stop on its own. A systematic review of post-extraction studies found horizontal bone loss of 29 to 63 percent within just six months of a tooth being removed, with most of that loss happening in the first three to six months. This is also why some patients who wait years to replace a missing tooth are later told they need bone grafting before an implant becomes possible.
Neighbouring teeth tend to drift into the empty space over time, which can throw off your bite and make those teeth harder to clean properly. Even a missing tooth that never shows when you smile can change how your face looks once enough of that support is gone.
None of this happens overnight, but it doesn’t wait for a convenient time either. The practical takeaway is that it’s worth getting the gap assessed soon, even if you’re not yet sure what you want to do about it.
Most patients are choosing between three routes, and each one solves the problem differently. Our missing teeth treatment page covers all three in more detail, including which patients tend to suit each option, but here’s the short version.
An implant replaces the tooth root itself. A titanium post is placed into the jawbone, and once it has healed, typically three to six months later, it supports a crown on top. Because the implant is placed within the jawbone, it can help preserve the bone in that area in a way that conventional bridges and dentures do not. The trade-off is time and upfront cost.
A bridge anchors a false tooth to the natural teeth on either side of the gap, usually by fitting a crown over each of those teeth. It’s fixed in place rather than removable, and treatment is typically completed within two to three weeks. The downside is that it means reshaping two otherwise healthy teeth to support it, and a bridge usually needs replacing after ten to fifteen years rather than lasting indefinitely.
Partial or full dentures are removable, the most affordable option upfront, and able to replace multiple missing teeth at once where a bridge or implant wouldn’t be practical. Some people find them a big adjustment at first, particularly for chewing or speaking naturally, and they need to be removed and cleaned daily. Implant-retained dentures are also available for patients who want a more stable, fixed result without the cost of individual implants.
Bridges and dentures both fall under general dentistry here, alongside treatments like crowns and root canal work. There isn’t a single best option among the three. The right one depends on how many teeth are missing, the condition of the teeth next to the gap, how much bone is left, and your budget.
Short on time? The table below is the bit to read. It’s the three options side by side, as we actually offer them here in Pinner.
| Dental implant | Bridge | Denture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (private) | From £2,800 including the crown | From £795 per unit | From £795 |
| Touches neighbouring teeth? | No, it stands on its own | Yes, the teeth either side are shaped to hold it | Partial dentures may clip onto nearby teeth |
| Fixed or removable | Fixed | Fixed | Removable |
| Helps keep the jawbone | Yes, it replaces the root | No | No |
| Time to finish | Several months, while the implant heals into the bone | Usually two visits | Usually a few visits |
| Best for | One or a few missing teeth, healthy bone, wanting a long-term fix | A gap with crowned or heavily filled teeth either side | Several missing teeth, or a quicker, lower-cost option |
Read more about each one: dental implants in Pinner, bridges and dentures.
Cost is usually the deciding factor, so here is the honest picture at Pinner Green Dental. A dental implant, including the crown, starts from £2,800, with discounts available if you’re having more than one placed. Bridges start from £795 per unit, and dentures start from £795. All three prices reflect that implants involve more components, more appointments, and a longer overall process, while bridges and dentures are quicker and simpler to complete.
Finance is available through Tabeo to help spread the cost, particularly for implant treatment given its higher upfront price. It’s worth asking about this at your consultation rather than ruling an option out on price alone before you’ve seen a written plan.
This comes up a lot, especially around implants. Placement is done under local anaesthetic, so it isn’t painful at the time. Most patients describe the recovery afterwards as similar to a tooth extraction, with some soreness and mild swelling for three to five days that’s manageable with standard pain relief.
A bridge or denture can often be completed within a couple of visits over two to three weeks. An implant takes longer overall, since the post needs three to six months to fuse properly with the jawbone before the crown is fitted, but you’re not left without a tooth for that entire period. A temporary solution is usually provided while you heal.
Easy to ignore, because nobody sees them when you smile. But your back teeth do the heavy chewing. Lose one and the rest take more strain, and the tooth above or below the gap can start creeping into the space. Same three options, though. For one or two back teeth we’d usually look at an implant or a bridge. Missing several? A partial denture is often the simplest fix.
If your gums are healthy and there’s enough bone, an implant gets closest to “permanent”, because it replaces the root too, not just the bit you can see. It won’t suit everyone. Heavy smokers, gum disease that isn’t under control, or too little bone can rule it out or add extra steps. Bridges make a lot of sense when the teeth next to the gap need crowns anyway. Come in for an assessment, and we’ll put the options that suit your mouth, and what each costs, in writing.
Week one, nothing you’d notice. A few years on, the bone under the gap has shrunk, the neighbours have leaned in, and the fix has got harder (and often dearer).
For the long run, usually. Nobody has to shape the teeth either side, and the implant helps hold on to the bone. A bridge is quicker and cheaper up front, and it’s a good choice when the teeth next door need crowns anyway.
Often, yes. If the bone has shrunk, you might need a graft first (we explain this in getting dental implants years after losing a tooth). We’ll check that with a scan at your consultation.
We do, through Tabeo, so the cost of an implant, bridge or denture can be spread out.
If you’re missing a tooth, the honest first step is getting it looked at rather than deciding on treatment in advance. The number of teeth involved, the health of your gums and jawbone, and your medical history all affect which of the three options genuinely applies to you, and how much it would cost. That’s the approach we take with every patient at Pinner Green Dental: a straightforward assessment first, a written plan before you commit to anything, and no pressure toward the most expensive option if it isn’t the right one for you.
If it’s been a while since you lost a tooth and you’ve been putting off dealing with it, that assessment is the part worth booking first. You can get in touch here to arrange a consultation, or call the practice directly on 020 8866 0362.
Want a dentist to look at this for you?
Pinner Green Dental, 8 Pinner Green, Pinner HA5 2AA. Call us or book online and we will find you a time.
