Missing Teeth Options That Don’t Include Dental Implants
Dental implants will likely be your best option if you’re looking to replace missing teeth, as they actually replace the tooth root itself and are not just a superficial fix. However, for some patients, they’re simply not an option, whether that be because of the surgery they entail (although sedation is optional) or for their cost alone.
Whether you’re looking for treatment for a single missing tooth, multiple missing teeth in a row, or rehabilitation for a full mouth, we’ll explore all of your options below, detailing the cost, the treatment length and the procedure.
Overview of alternatives to dental implants:
- Cantilever Bridge
- Maryland Bridge
- Traditional Bridge
- Implant-supported bridge
- Partial denture
- Complete denture (plastic)
- Cobalt chrome denture (metal)
- Implant-retained denture
Dental Bridges
- Teeth replaced: Resin-bonded bridges can replace one tooth, whereas regular bridges can replace up to six teeth between two teeth.
- Types: Cantilever Bridge, Maryland Bridge, Resin Bonded Bridge, Regular Bridges
- Treatment length: 2-3 appointments over 2-3 weeks
- Longevity: Can last from 5-15 years
- Cost: From £1,200 / £50 pm (0% finance over 24 months)
- Drawbacks: Requires otherwise healthy teeth to be filed down and replaced with crowns / can cause dental decay
- Implant alternative: Implant-supported bridges
Dental bridges essentially bridge the gap between missing and existing teeth, so if you have one or more missing teeth in a row, it might be perfect for you. There are different types of bridges; for example, a Maryland Bridge uses metal wings to attach to adjacent teeth instead of crowns in regular bridgework, which avoids the need to file down perfectly healthy teeth for them to be capped. Regular bridges will stop teeth from shifting into empty gaps, but they can increase the risk of damage to already healthy teeth and cause decay around the adhesive.
Partial Dentures
- Teeth replaced: No defined number, but a healthy tooth must exist on each side of the hole you want to fill
- Types: Flexible Partial Dentures, Cast Metal, Acrylic, Resin, Flippers
- Treatment length: 2 appointments over 2 weeks
- Longevity: Should be replaced every 5-7 years
- Cost: From £300
- Drawbacks: Secured to teeth by metal clasps
- Implant alternative: Single implants
Partially edentulous patients can replace multiple missing teeth throughout the mouth with a removable denture, which stays in place with metal clasps. Partial dentures are often chosen when patients are unable to have dental bridges, perhaps because they lack remaining teeth to support one or because of financial limitations. A flipper partial denture can also be used when you need to replace one or two missing teeth in visible portions of your smile.
Complete Dentures
- Teeth replaced: Full mouth
- Types: Acrylic Resin Dentures, Acrylic Dentures, Cobalt Chrome Dentures (need some teeth remaining)
- Treatment length: 2 appointments over 3 weeks
- Longevity: Can last from 5-7 years
- Cost: From £750 / £31.25 pm (0% finance over 24 months)
- Drawbacks: Can be loose/uncomfortable, can cause facial sagging and bone loss
- Implant alternative: Implant-retained dentures
Full-mouth dentures or dental glues and adhesives are removable and usually rely on suction to stay in place. They sit on top of the gums and are mostly an aesthetic fix to missing teeth, restoring speech function and chewing, but some patients will have to live with restrictions on their diet for life. Modern types of dentures are better than traditional kinds, which are better fitting and better made. However, you’ll always have a degree of movement with them.