Dental implants are the most tooth-like solution for missing teeth – but they’re not for everyone.
The implant process can be both lengthy and complex, and you may wish to consider other options like bridges and dentures before making a final decision on implants.
As a dental practice that values transparency, we will always be upfront with our patients about the pros and cons of each tooth replacement treatment we offer. So here goes.
The What
A dental bridge consists of custom-made crowns that are cemented over the top of a natural tooth either side of the gap in your teeth. A false tooth is then placed between the crowns, bridging the gap.
Bridges are generally best suited to gaps located on a single side of your mouth.
The How
Cost-effective: one of the biggest ticks in the box for dental bridges is their cost. They are well-known for being one of the cheaper ways of addressing tooth loss.
Speed: compared with other treatments (like implants) dental bridges take be completed within 2-3 appointments. You are also given a temporary tooth between appointments, so you don’t have to go without a tooth once treatment begins.
Secure: Dental bridges are a fixed solution, so they are generally more robust than a set of dentures (which are prone to slipping around in your mouth).
Tooth wear
Dental bridges can cause damage to other teeth. They require the essential support of the teeth either side of the gap, which can cause wear overtime.
Damage to teeth
As it’s also necessary to remove some natural tooth structure, a bridge can be a more destructive method of tooth replacement than dentures or implants.
They don’t protect against bone loss
Dental bridges don’t stimulate the jaw, and therefore can’t stop jawbone recession from happening.
The What
Dentures are removable false teeth. They have endured for many years and remain one of the most popular solutions for tooth replacement.
They are most suited to patients who have multiple missing teeth that are not all on a single side of the mouth.
The How
Replace old dentures
Modern dentures of 2025 are a world away from the dentures of 15+ years ago. If you’ve been wearing dentures for many years, you may have noticed that they’ve started to slip around in your mouth.
Aesthetics
Denture teeth are now very authentic, thanks to strides forward in the lab processes used to replicate real tooth enamel. They are certainly not the wind-up comedy chattering teeth they used to be!
They don’t protect against bone loss
Like dental bridges, dentures don’t stimulate the jaw and therefore can’t stop jawbone recession from happening.
They can move around in your mouth
Dentures are secure, but when bone loss starts to take place (after a couple of years) the dentures can cease to fit correctly. This can lead to them moving around in your mouth slightly when you eat tougher foods.
The What
Titanium replacement tooth roots that simulate the behaviour and look of real teeth. They are surgically placed into the jaw, setting them apart from dentures and bridges, which are not surgical treatments.
A custom-made crown is placed over the top of the implant to provide the tooth-like portion of the tooth that sits above the gum line in the mouth.
The How
Dental implants are made of biocompatible titanium. As soon as they are placed into the jaw by your oral surgeon here at Denpure Dental and Implant Clinic, a healing process begins. During this time the jawbone grows around the implant as if it were a brand-new organic tooth root.
The most tooth-like solution
Implants are the most tooth-like solution for missing teeth. They simulate how a real tooth sits in the mouth.
They are the most aesthetic solution
As they sit in the jaw like a real tooth, once your crown is placed over the top, they will replicate a real tooth pretty much perfectly. By contrast, bridges and dentures are affixed in ways that are inorganic in comparison.
Competitive rates for implants at Denpure
Our consultations are priced at £38 which is one of the lowest in the Uxbridge area, and indeed in the whole of London. Our implants are from premium and pioneering brand Nobel Biocare and start at £2595 (your £38 consultation fee will be deducted from this).
Our implant costs are one of the lowest in London, and this is particularly noteworthy as we use one of the best implant brands on the market.
This said, implants are generally the most expensive solution, costing more than bridges and dentures.
You need a surgical procedure
Implants are placed under local anaesthetic, so you will need to commit to a surgical procedure. This can be a turn-off for some patients.
They take a while to be ready
Implants are not an overnight solution for missing teeth. The implants themselves need between 3-9 months to heal, so you will need to commit to waiting several months before the crown, bridge or dentures can be fitted.
The What
Implants can be used to secure a full set of dentures, or a dental bridge. The principals for creating the dentures and bridges are the same as with the traditional versions of these.
The difference is that it’s the implants securing your dentures or bridge in place.
The How
Dentures and bridge are locked firmly in place over the top of your implant teeth using a connecting element called an abutment.
To take a look at the process for implant-dentures and implant-supported bridges, please click the respective links.
The pros for using implants to replace multiple teeth are much the same as they are for single implant (see above for these).
The main benefit is that fewer implants can be used to secure a whole arch of missing teeth, reducing the cost of treatment – you don’t need to get one implant per tooth if you choose an implant bridge or set of dentures.
The cost
As mentioned above, our consultations are priced at £38 which is one of the lowest in the Uxbridge area, and indeed in the whole of London. Our implants are from premium and pioneering brand Nobel Biocare and start at £2595 (your £38 consultation fee will be deducted from this).
Again, these are much the same as the cons for single dental implants for missing teeth.
Come in and see us for an informal chat about how we can help you with tooth replacement.
As in this blog, we’ll be entirely honest with you about pros, cons and limitations.
We look forward to welcoming you.
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