Care
Implants and replacing a missing tooth
How implants, bridges and removable dentures compare as ways to replace a missing tooth, and what suitability depends on.
Availability to be confirmed Clinical review pending
Illustrative content for family and clinician review. Service availability and the actual patient experience have not been confirmed. This page does not describe a treatment as available at the practice. A clinician decides what is suitable for each person, and individual costs and appointment schedules are not yet known.
A missing tooth can be replaced in several ways, and sometimes leaving a gap is a reasonable choice. The right option depends on your health, the condition of the neighbouring teeth, gums and bone, what matters to you, and cost. Implants are described in detail below, followed by a comparison with bridges and dentures.
What it is
A dental implant is a small fixture, usually titanium, placed in the jawbone to act as a replacement root. Once the bone has healed around it, it can support a crown, a bridge or a denture.
Why people ask about it
People ask about implants when they have lost a tooth, find a removable denture uncomfortable, or would prefer not to have neighbouring teeth shaped to support a bridge.
What assessment may involve
Suitability depends more on health than on age. Assessment typically looks at general health, the amount and quality of bone, the health of the gums and neighbouring teeth, and anything that can slow healing, such as smoking or some medical conditions. Scans or X-rays are usually needed.
Common approaches and alternatives
Implant treatment is usually staged: the fixture is placed, the bone is given time to bond with it, which can take several months, and the replacement tooth is then fitted. Implants need daily cleaning and regular reviews, because the gum and bone around them can become inflamed, much like around natural teeth.
Questions to ask a clinician
- Am I a suitable candidate, and what would the assessment involve?
- What are the stages, and roughly how long might each take?
- What are the alternatives in my situation?
- What long-term maintenance will the implant need?
- Who would carry out each stage of treatment?
Important to know. Implants involve a surgical procedure and aren't suitable for everyone. This page does not suggest that the practice provides implant treatment or has the clinicians or equipment for it; that has not been confirmed.
Comparing ways to replace a missing tooth
A high-level comparison to help you prepare questions. It is not a recommendation, and none of these options has been confirmed as available at the practice.
Implant
- What it is
- A fixture in the jawbone that supports a crown, bridge or denture.
- What it usually involves
- A surgical stage, a healing period of several months, then the replacement tooth.
- Worth discussing
- Health, bone and gum suitability; daily cleaning and long-term reviews.
Bridge
- What it is
- A fixed replacement tooth held in place by the teeth on either side of the gap.
- What it usually involves
- Usually shaping the neighbouring teeth so they can support the bridge.
- Worth discussing
- The condition of the neighbouring teeth; cleaning underneath the bridge.
Removable denture
- What it is
- A plate carrying one or more replacement teeth, partial or full, that you take out to clean.
- What it usually involves
- Impressions or scans and fitting appointments; adjustments over time.
- Worth discussing
- Comfort and fit, which can change as the gums and bone change; daily care.
Leaving the gap is sometimes a reasonable choice, particularly towards the back of the mouth. Ask whether it is likely to affect your bite or the neighbouring teeth over time.
Sources and review
Drafted from the sources below, which describe UK and US practice. Clinical review pending: a named clinician must review this page, including how the guidance applies under local requirements and practice, before it can appear on the clinic's official website.
- NHS: Dental treatments (page last reviewed 8 July 2026; checked 26 September 2026)
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy): Implants (no review date shown on the page; checked 26 September 2026)