There are four ways to deal with a missing tooth in the UK: a denture, a bridge, a dental implant, or leaving the gap. On the NHS, dentures and bridges fall under Band 3 at £332.10. Privately at High Street Smiles, dentures start at £850 and a single implant is £2,995.
What Are The Options For Replacing Missing Teeth?
Missing teeth options in the UK fall into three treatments, plus the choice of doing nothing.
A denture is removable. It sits on the gums and can replace a single tooth, several teeth or a full arch. A bridge is fixed in place and uses the teeth either side of the gap to hold a replacement tooth. An implant is a titanium post placed into the jawbone, which then holds a crown.
Which one suits you depends on how many teeth are missing, the condition of the teeth and gums around the gap, how much bone is present, and your budget. None of the three is automatically the right answer, and a consultation is the only way to know which are clinically possible in your case.
What Happens If You Do Not Replace A Missing Tooth?
Leaving a gap is a legitimate choice in some cases, particularly for a back tooth that is not visible and where the bite is otherwise stable. It costs nothing and involves no treatment.
There are consequences worth understanding first. The bone that once supported the tooth root is no longer stimulated and gradually reduces in volume. Teeth either side can drift towards the gap over time, and the tooth in the opposing jaw can move down or up into the space. Both can affect how the bite comes together.
Bone loss also matters if you change your mind later. Less bone can make implant treatment more complicated, and may mean grafting is needed first. At High Street Smiles, bone grafting is £480, with membrane and bone block grafting priced separately.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Missing Tooth In The UK?
Prices below are the current fees at High Street Smiles in Warrington. National averages vary widely between practices, so treat any figure you find online as a guide rather than a quote.
| Option | Cost |
| NHS Band 3, covering dentures, bridges and crowns | £332.10 |
| Partial acrylic denture, one to three teeth | £850 |
| Flexible Valplast partial denture | £1,495 |
| Partial cobalt chrome denture | £1,600 |
| Full upper and lower acrylic dentures | £1,995 |
| Metal based bridge, per unit | £625 |
| Empress or zirconia bridge, per unit | £795 |
| Single implant, including abutment and crown | £2,995 |
| Implant retained denture, two implants | £6,500 |
| All on four | £15,500 |
Bridges are priced per unit rather than per gap, which is explained in the bridge section below. The full fee list is on our private fees page.
Can You Replace Missing Teeth On The NHS?
Yes, for dentures and bridges. Both sit in NHS Band 3, which costs £332.10 for a complete course of treatment. That single charge covers everything in Bands 1 and 2 as well, including the examination, X-rays, any fillings and any extractions carried out in the same course.
Dental implants are not routinely available on the NHS and are usually provided privately.
Whether NHS treatment is appropriate is a clinical decision made at your appointment, based on what is needed to secure and maintain your oral health. Denture repairs carry no NHS charge, although where a denture cannot be repaired a replacement is charged as a Band 3 course. Full details of what each band covers are on our NHS treatments page.
When Is A Dental Implant The Right Option?
An implant replaces the root of the tooth as well as the visible part, which is what separates it from the other two options. The post is placed into the jawbone and left to heal before a crown is fitted on top, so treatment runs across several appointments over a number of months.
Implants suit patients with healthy gums and enough bone to support the post, who want a fixed replacement that does not involve altering the teeth either side of the gap. They are not suitable for everyone. Uncontrolled gum disease, some medical conditions and insufficient bone can all rule treatment out or mean preparatory work is needed first.
Implants require daily cleaning and regular hygienist appointments, using a non abrasive toothpaste recommended by your dentist. They can fail if the surrounding gum is not kept healthy. You can read more on our dental implants page.
How Much Is A Dental Bridge And When Is One Used?
At High Street Smiles a metal based bridge is £625 per unit and an Empress or zirconia bridge is £795 per unit. On the NHS a bridge falls under Band 3 at £332.10.
Per unit is the part most people miss. A bridge replacing a single missing tooth normally involves more than one unit, because the supporting teeth either side each need covering, so the total is higher than the per unit figure suggests. Always ask for the full cost at your consultation rather than multiplying it out yourself, since the number of units depends on the design.
A bridge is fixed, so it is not taken out for cleaning, and it is usually completed in fewer appointments than an implant. It suits a single gap or a short run of missing teeth where the teeth either side are strong enough to carry it.
The trade off is that those supporting teeth normally need preparing, which means removing healthy tooth structure. A bridge also does not stimulate the bone underneath the gap in the way an implant does. Bridges do not last indefinitely and will need replacing at some point, so factor the eventual replacement into the cost.
What Types Of Denture Are Available?
Dentures are the most flexible option because they can replace one tooth or a whole arch, and teeth can usually be added later if you lose more.
Acrylic dentures are the standard option and can be adjusted or added to. Cobalt chrome dentures use a metal framework, which allows a thinner, more rigid design that many patients find more stable when several teeth are being replaced. Flexible Valplast dentures use a softer material that adapts closely to the gums and avoids visible metal clasps.
Implant retained dentures sit between the two categories. The denture is still removable but clips onto implants placed in the jaw, which reduces movement when eating and speaking. Full details of each type are on our dentures page.
What Is The Cheapest Way To Replace Missing Teeth?
The lowest cost route in the UK is NHS treatment at £332.10, which covers a denture or a bridge if one is clinically appropriate for you.
Privately, the entry point is a partial acrylic denture at £850 for one to three teeth. Dentures are usually the least expensive of the three treatments because they involve no surgery and no preparation of the surrounding teeth.
It is worth weighing cost against how long each option lasts. A denture is the cheapest to fit and can be added to, but will need adjusting, relining or remaking over the years. Relines are £190 and repairs are £145. An implant costs considerably more at the outset and involves a longer treatment period.
Which Option Suits How Many Teeth You Have Lost?
One tooth. All three are usually possible. An implant avoids touching the neighbouring teeth. A bridge is quicker but involves preparing them. A single tooth denture is the least expensive and can be fitted while you decide.
Two or three teeth in a row. A bridge or a partial denture is often the practical choice. Implants remain possible, and a small number of implants can sometimes support a bridge across the whole span.
Several teeth spread around the mouth. A partial denture, in acrylic, chrome or Valplast, usually handles this more economically than replacing each gap individually.
Most or all of an arch. A full denture, an implant retained denture, or All on four. The right answer here depends heavily on bone volume, which is assessed using a CBCT scan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Fix Missing Teeth Without Implants?
Dentures and bridges both replace missing teeth without implant surgery. A denture is removable and starts at £850 privately, or £332.10 on the NHS. A bridge is fixed and uses the teeth either side of the gap for support.
How Long Does It Take To Replace A Missing Tooth?
A denture usually takes a few appointments across several weeks. A bridge is typically completed in two or three visits. An implant takes longest, because the post needs several months to integrate with the bone before the crown is fitted.
Is It Too Late To Replace A Tooth Lost Years Ago?
No. Dentures and bridges remain possible regardless of how long the gap has been there. Implants may still be possible, though bone loss over the years sometimes means grafting is needed first, which adds time and cost.
Can You Switch From A Denture To An Implant Later?
Yes. Many patients start with a denture and move to implants at a later stage. A denture does not prevent implant treatment, although the bone underneath will have continued to reduce in the meantime, so an assessment is needed before planning.
What Is A CBCT Scan And Why Is It Needed?
A CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) scan is a 3D X-ray that shows the teeth, jawbone and nerves in detail. It is used to check whether there is enough bone to support implants and to plan where they are placed. High Street Smiles has a CBCT scanner on site, and a CT scan is £150 per arch.
Talk Through Your Options
If you have one or more missing teeth and are not sure which route makes sense, the starting point is an assessment. High Street Smiles sees patients from Warrington, Newton-le-Willows, St Helens and Wigan, and will talk you through what is clinically possible in your case before any fees are agreed.
