Dental implants vs bridges vs dentures: an honest comparison
There's more than one good way to replace a missing tooth. The best choice depends on your mouth, your health, your budget and what matters most to you.
Losing a tooth affects more than your smile. Gaps can make chewing harder, allow neighbouring teeth to drift, and over time the jawbone where the tooth used to be gradually shrinks. The good news is that there are three well-established ways to replace missing teeth. Here's how they compare.
Dental implants
An implant is a small post, usually titanium, placed into the jawbone where the root of the tooth used to be. Over a few months the bone bonds to it, and a crown, bridge or denture is then attached on top. Read more about implant treatment.
Advantages
- The closest to a natural tooth in look, feel and function.
- Neighbouring teeth don't need to be cut down or used for support.
- Helps preserve the bone in the area of the missing tooth.
- Fixed in place, with no removing at night.
Things to consider
- Involves a minor surgical procedure and a healing period, typically a few months.
- You need enough bone, or bone grafting to rebuild it.
- Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and active gum disease increase the risk of problems.
- Usually the highest upfront cost, and generally not available on the NHS.
Bridges
A conventional bridge fills a gap with a false tooth that's attached to crowns on the teeth either side. An adhesive (or "Maryland") bridge instead bonds a false tooth to the back of a neighbouring tooth with a small metal or ceramic wing.
Advantages
- Fixed in place and can look very natural.
- No surgery, and usually completed in a few weeks.
- Generally less expensive than an implant.
Things to consider
- Conventional bridges involve cutting down the supporting teeth, even if they're healthy.
- If a supporting tooth develops a problem, the whole bridge can be affected.
- Doesn't prevent bone shrinkage under the false tooth.
- Needs careful cleaning underneath with floss threaders or interdental brushes.
Dentures
Dentures are removable replacements for one, several or all teeth. Partial dentures clip onto remaining teeth; complete dentures rest on the gums.
Advantages
- The least invasive option, with no surgery and usually little or no work on other teeth.
- Can replace many teeth at once.
- Usually the lowest upfront cost.
Things to consider
- Can move when eating or speaking, particularly lower dentures.
- May need adhesive, and must be removed for cleaning.
- As the bone shrinks over time, dentures usually need relining or replacing.
- Upper dentures cover the roof of the mouth, which some people find affects taste.
Side by side
| Implant | Bridge | Denture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed or removable | Fixed | Fixed | Removable |
| Surgery needed | Yes, minor | No | No |
| Affects other teeth | No | Usually, yes | May use clasps |
| Helps preserve bone | Yes | No | No |
| Typical treatment time | Several months | A few weeks | A few weeks |
| Long-term | Can last many years with good care | Often lasts many years; may need replacing | Usually needs relining or replacing over time |
| Upfront cost | Highest | Moderate | Lowest |
So which is right for you?
There's no single right answer. Implants are often the best long-term solution when you're healthy, have (or can have) enough bone, and want something that feels like your own teeth. A bridge can be a sensible choice when the neighbouring teeth already need crowns. And dentures remain a practical, affordable option, especially when many teeth are missing.
At a consultation, I'll examine your mouth, look at your X-rays or scan, and talk through every realistic option with you, including the ones that don't involve surgery.