Missing Teeth Solutions
Implants, bridges and dentures compared for replacing lost teeth.
Replacing missing teeth protects your bite, bone and confidence. The main options are implants, bridges and dentures.
Why Replace Them
Gaps cause bone loss, drifting teeth and bite problems over time.
Why Replacing a Tooth Is Not Optional
A gap is not a cosmetic matter. The opposing tooth over-erupts into the space; the neighbours tilt into it; the bite changes; food packs into the new gaps and drives decay and gum disease. Meanwhile the bone under the gap resorbs — fastest in the first year.
The cost of waiting is paid in bone, and bone is what every later option needs. See bone grafting.
The Options, Honestly
| Option | Healthy teeth touched | Bone | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single implant | None | Preserved | 20+ years |
| Bridge | Two, reduced 1.5–2 mm | Resorbs | 10–15 years |
| Partial denture | Clasped | Resorbs | 5–10 years |
| Full arch on implants | n/a | Preserved | 20+ years |
| Do nothing | Drift, tilt, over-erupt | Resorbs | — |
How Many Teeth, and Where
One missing tooth: an implant, unless the neighbours already need crowns — then a bridge costs little extra structure.
Several missing teeth in one area: implants, or an implant-supported bridge on two fixtures rather than one per tooth.
A whole arch: All-on-4 or All-on-6, or an implant-retained overdenture where cost matters. Compare with implant vs denture.
What Determines What Is Possible
A CT scan, not a photograph. It shows bone height and width, the position of the sinus and the nerve, and whether grafting or a sinus lift is needed. Health matters too: smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and untreated gum disease must be addressed first.
Any clinic quoting a definitive plan and price before imaging is selling, not planning.
This page provides general information and does not replace professional dental advice. Always consult a qualified dentist about your individual case.
Frequently Asked Questions
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