How to Replace a Missing Tooth: 7 Proven Treatment Options

A missing tooth is more than a cosmetic hiccup. Left untreated, the gap invites neighbouring teeth to wander, speeds up bone shrinkage, and can turn a steak dinner into a chore. The good news? You can fill that space in several reliable ways: a single implant for a near-perfect imitation, a fixed or resin-bonded bridge for swift results, removable partial or full dentures for budget-friendliness, an implant-supported full arch for rock-solid bite, or a short-term flipper/Essix appliance while you weigh up the long game.

This guide compares the seven proven solutions side by side. You’ll see how each procedure works, who qualifies, what it really costs in the UK (private and limited NHS), and how long you can expect it to last with sensible care. By the end, you’ll know exactly which option best matches your mouth, lifestyle and wallet—so you can smile, chew and speak with confidence again.

1. Single-Tooth Dental Implant

Think of a dental implant as the engineering-grade solution for a lone gap: a small titanium post takes the place of the missing root, and a custom porcelain crown completes the illusion. Because the artificial root bonds to your jaw, the tooth looks, feels and chews like the real deal.

How the procedure works

1. Comprehensive consultation with 3-D CBCT scan

2. Surgical placement of the titanium fixture under local anaesthetic (30–60 min)

3. Osseointegration – bone fuses to the implant over 3–6 months

4. Second visit to fit the abutment and take digital impressions

5. Final visit to cement or screw-retain the bespoke crown

Most patients need only three or four appointments spread across six months; same-day “immediate” crowns are possible but not routine.

Ideal candidates

• Adults with finished jaw growth and good general health

• Adequate bone width or willingness to have a graft/sinus lift

• Non-smokers (or prepared to quit), stable diabetes, no bisphosphonate therapy Teenagers usually wait until growth plates close, typically age 18 +.

Key advantages & drawbacks

Pros

• Near-natural aesthetics and bite strength

• Prevents bone shrinkage and leaves neighbours untouched

• 90–95 % survival at 10 years

Cons

• Surgical step, mild swelling/bruising

• Highest initial outlay (£2,000–£2,800 privately)

• Healing time before full loading

Cost & finance landscape in the UK

NHS funding is reserved for exceptional trauma cases, so most implants are private. Many clinics—including Wigmore Smiles—offer 0 % interest plans over 6–24 months. Allow £60–£120 yearly for professional maintenance and the odd screw replacement down the line.

Care & longevity

• Brush and interdental-clean twice daily, paying special attention to the implant collar

• Hygienist review every 6 months

• Night-guard if you grind

Follow those basics and the fixture can outlive its crown, giving service well beyond 20 years.

2. Fixed Dental Bridge

When a gap sits between two healthy teeth, a fixed bridge can be the Goldilocks answer: sturdier than a denture yet quicker and cheaper than an implant. The missing tooth (pontic) is fused to crowns that cap the neighbours, creating one solid unit that’s permanently cemented in place. For many patients asking how to replace a missing tooth without surgery, a bridge ticks the box.

Procedure overview

1. Local anaesthetic and conservative reshaping of the support teeth

2. Digital or analogue impressions sent to the lab

3. Fitting of a provisional bridge while the ceramic is crafted (about two weeks)

4. Final try-in, bite check and permanent cementation Most cases wrap up in two or three visits.

Suitability checklist

• Sound adjacent teeth with enough enamel for crowning

• One- or two-tooth gap in the same arch

• Good oral hygiene and low decay risk

• No active gum disease or heavy bruxism (unless protected by a guard)

Benefits & limitations

Pros

• Fixed, natural feel and appearance

• Fast turnaround compared with implants

• Mid-range budget: roughly £600–£1,000 per unit privately, limited NHS Band 3 option (£319)

Cons

• Irreversible enamel removal

• Risk of decay or root canal on the supporting teeth

• Jaw bone under the pontic still resorbs over time

Lifespan & maintenance tips

Expect 7–15 years of service with diligent care. Threader or super-floss under the pontic daily, brush twice, and book hygienist visits every six months. Plan for replacement when margins leak or aesthetics fade to keep the bridge—and the teeth beneath—healthy.

3. Resin-Bonded “Maryland” Bridge

Sometimes the simplest answer to how to replace a missing tooth—especially a front one—is to borrow a little support from the neighbours without drilling them down to pegs. That’s exactly what a resin-bonded, or “Maryland”, bridge does: a tooth-coloured pontic is anchored by thin metal or fibre-reinforced wings that hug the backs of the adjacent teeth.

What it is & placement steps

1. Lightly roughen the enamel on the support teeth.

2. Take a digital scan or impression for the lab.

3. Fabricate a porcelain or composite pontic pre-fitted with ultra-thin wings.

4. Try-in, etch, and bond with dual-cure resin cement—no injections usually needed. The whole process often wraps up in two short visits.

Best use cases

• Single incisor, canine or premolar gap.

• Younger patients whose jawbone is still developing.

• Interim restoration while saving for an implant or orthodontic work.

Pros & cons

Pros

• Minimal enamel loss and zero injections for most cases.

• Quick turnaround and moderate fees (£500–£900).

• Easily reversible if future plans change.

Cons

• Can de-bond under heavy bite force.

• Metal wings may cast a grey shadow through translucent enamel.

• Not ideal for molar areas or deep overbites.

Care & expected durability

Use super-floss once daily around the wings, avoid cracking nuts or toffee with the pontic, and schedule six-monthly checks. With sensible habits, a Maryland bridge lasts about 5–8 years before rebonding or replacement is needed.

4. Removable Partial Denture

For multiple gaps—or a single gap on a tight budget—a removable partial denture (RPD) offers a swift, non-surgical fix. The appliance slots in and out like a retainer, using discreet metal clasps or flexible acrylic to hug the remaining teeth.

Appliance design & fitting process

1. Primary impressions and bite registration

2. Try-in of a wax pattern to check tooth shade, shape and phonetics

3. Lab crafts the final acrylic or cobalt-chrome framework with replacement teeth

4. Fit appointment: clasp tension is adjusted and pressure spots relieved

Total chair time is usually three short visits over two to three weeks.

When it makes sense

• Several missing teeth scattered through one arch

• Interim solution before implants or orthodontics

• Patients wanting the cheapest way to replace a missing tooth without drilling

Upsides & downsides

Pros

• Lowest private cost: ~£350–£700

• No enamel removal or surgery

• Easy to add extra teeth later

Cons

• Bulky palate or lingual bar can affect speech

• Must be removed nightly; bone under the gaps still shrinks

• Clasps sometimes visible when smiling

Wearing, eating & cleaning advice

Start with soft foods, cutting tougher bites small until confidence grows. Clean the denture and natural teeth after every meal, brushing with non-abrasive paste and soaking the plate in a mild tablet solution overnight. Store it moist to prevent warping, and book six-monthly checks to tweak clasps and monitor gum health.

5. Complete Denture

When every natural tooth in an arch has been lost—or is scheduled for extraction—a complete denture offers the fastest route back to a full smile. Modern acrylics and digital scanning have pushed dentures far beyond the pink “false teeth” clichés of yesteryear; today’s plates are thinner, better shaded and can even be milled from a single resin puck for extra strength.

Full-arch replacement explained

After any necessary extractions have healed, your dentist takes detailed impressions and jaw-relation records. A wax try-in follows, letting you preview tooth shape, shade and bite. Once you sign off, the lab processes the final acrylic base with high-impact teeth and polished gum work. At fitting, minor pressure spots are trimmed and speech is checked—most patients walk out chewing soft food that same day.

Pros, cons & common myths

Pros

• Restores appearance and basic chewing function quickly

• Most economical full-arch option (around £600–£1,500 privately; NHS Band 3 £319)

• No surgery, so suitable for medically complex patients

Cons

• Plate may loosen as jawbone shrinks, reducing bite force

• Taste can be muted by a full palate

• Needs periodic relines or remake every 5–8 years

Myth-buster: “Dentures always look fake.” Custom gingival characterisation and layered acrylic teeth can look remarkably life-like when crafted well.

Stability solutions

If slipping becomes an issue, options include zinc-free adhesives, soft liners, or stepping up to implant-retained overdentures for clip-on security and renewed confidence at the dinner table.

6. Implant-Supported Full Arch (All-on-4 / “Smile-in-a-Day”)

If you’re missing an entire row of teeth and conventional dentures just won’t stay put, an implant-supported full arch may be the game-changer. By anchoring a lightweight bridge to four or six strategically angled implants, you leave the clinic with a fixed provisional smile on the very day of surgery—hence the nickname “Smile-in-a-Day”.

How it differs from singles & dentures

Traditional implants replace teeth one-by-one; a full arch uses fewer screws by tilting the rear implants 30–45° to maximise contact with the densest front jawbone. A pre-fabricated acrylic bridge is secured immediately, avoiding months of wobbling plates. Because the prosthesis is screwed in, only your dentist can remove it for deep cleaning.

Candidate criteria & planning

1. Missing or soon-to-be-extracted teeth across an entire arch

2. Adequate anterior bone height (often still present even after years of denture wear)

3. Reasonable general health and stable conditions such as diabetes

4. Commitment to strict hygiene and follow-up visits

The journey starts with a CBCT scan, digital bite registration and smile design. Sedation is commonly available for longer surgeries.

Advantages & considerations

Pros

• Fixed teeth the same day—no more adhesive or palate coverage

• Restores up to 90 % of natural bite force, letting you crunch apples again

• Stops further bone loss along the ridge, helping preserve facial profile

Cons

• Major investment: roughly £12,000–£16,000 per arch privately; rarely funded by the NHS

• Minor risk of implant failure (around 5 %) and temporary bruising/swelling

• Bridge screws, acrylic or zirconia may need repair every 10–15 years

After-care & long-term outlook

Brush twice daily with a soft electric brush, and run a water-flosser or interdental brushes under the bridge after every meal. Schedule professional “unscrew and clean” sessions yearly, or sooner if recommended. With meticulous care, published studies show 94 % implant survival at 10 years and prostheses often serving well beyond the 20-year mark.

7. Immediate Temporary Options: Flippers & Essix Retainers

Sometimes you need something today while you plan the fix. That’s where flippers and Essix retainers come in—quick stand-ins before you choose how to replace a missing tooth.

What they are & fabrication speed

A flipper is a lightweight acrylic plate with a single replacement tooth; an Essix retainer is a clear tray with a tooth embedded. Labs can turn both around in 24–48 hours.

When to choose a temporary appliance

Use them after an extraction, for a wedding photo next week, or while saving up for an implant or bridge.

Pros, cons & typical cost

Pros: lightning-fast, painless and wallet-friendly at roughly £150–£300. Cons: fragile acrylic, slight lisp, must be removed for hard foods, and offers no protection against bone shrinkage.

Care instructions

Brush gently with a soft brush, rinse after meals, soak overnight in mild denture solution, and store the appliance in water to prevent warping.

Next Steps to a Complete Smile

Choosing how to replace a missing tooth isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision, but the broad strokes are clear:

• Implants: best long-term stability and bone protection, highest upfront fee.

• Bridges: swift, fixed and mid-priced, though they borrow strength from neighbouring teeth.

• Dentures: most economical, easily adjusted, yet least stable as the jawbone continues to shrink.

Whichever route appeals, a clinical assessment is essential. A 3-D scan will confirm bone volume, a gum health check will flag any hidden inflammation, and a candid chat about lifestyle and budget will pin down the option that genuinely suits you. Finance plans, sedation choices and maintenance coaching can all be built in from day one.

Ready to see which solution fits your smile? Arrange a personal consultation with the team at Wigmore Smiles & Aesthetics and take the first confident bite toward a gap-free grin.