When a tooth is missing, there are three main ways to replace it: an implant, a bridge or a denture. None of them is right for everyone. The choice depends on how many teeth are missing and where, the condition of the neighbouring teeth and the bone, your general health and what suits your day-to-day life.
In this guide we put the three options side by side, so you know what to ask at your examination. The final decision is always made together, once we have looked at your mouth properly.
Why it is worth replacing a missing tooth
Many people leave a gap as it is, especially when it is at the back and nobody sees it. Over time, though, it can cause problems:
- Neighbouring teeth tilt into the gap, and the opposing tooth can drift towards it.
- Your bite changes, and chewing puts more load on the remaining teeth.
- The bone in that area slowly shrinks, which can limit your options later on.
- Tilted teeth trap plaque more easily, which raises the risk of decay and gum problems.
This does not mean every gap needs treatment straight away. It means it is worth discussing with your dentist, so you know what you gain, and what you risk, by waiting.
The implant
An implant is a small titanium screw placed in the jawbone, where it takes the place of the tooth root. Once the bone has bonded with it, usually within a few months, a crown is fixed on top.
- Pros: it is fixed, it does not touch the neighbouring teeth and it loads the bone the way a natural root does. With good hygiene and regular check-ups, it is one of the most durable options.
- What it needs: enough healthy bone, healthy gums and a minor surgical procedure under local anaesthetic. If there is not enough bone, a bone graft may be needed first.
- Time: treatment usually takes a few months, from placement to the final crown.
Some conditions need extra care, such as smoking, poorly controlled diabetes or certain bone medications. They do not always rule out an implant, but we need to know about them beforehand.
The bridge
A bridge is a fixed restoration that fills the gap by resting on the teeth either side of it. Those teeth are prepared and covered with crowns, and the missing tooth is suspended between them.
- Pros: it is fixed, needs no surgery and is usually completed within a few weeks, over two or three visits.
- What it needs: strong neighbouring teeth with healthy roots and gums that can take the extra load.
- The trade-off: the neighbouring teeth have to be prepared, which cannot be undone. If they already have large fillings or crowns, this matters less. If they are untouched, we think about it more carefully.
A bridge also needs a little more care when cleaning, because under the suspended tooth you need a special floss or an interdental brush. We show you how at your first visit after it is fitted.
The denture
A denture is removable: you put it in and take it out yourself. A partial denture is held by small clasps on your remaining teeth, while a full denture replaces all the teeth in one jaw.
- Pros: it can replace anything from one tooth to all of them, needs no surgery and usually does not require the neighbouring teeth to be prepared. It also works well as a temporary solution while you wait for other treatment.
- What it needs: a few weeks to get used to it, daily cleaning and regular adjustments.
- Limitations: it moves more than a fixed restoration, especially in the lower jaw, and over the years it may need relining as the gums change shape.
There is also an in-between option: a denture that clips onto a small number of implants for extra stability. It suits some patients who have lost all or nearly all the teeth in one jaw.
What decides the choice
At the examination we go through a few key questions together:
- How many teeth are missing, and where? A single tooth between healthy teeth is a different case from several gaps around the mouth.
- What condition are the neighbouring teeth in? If they already need crowns, a bridge makes more sense. If they are untouched, an implant leaves them as they are.
- Is there enough bone? An X-ray shows this, together with 3D imaging where needed.
- What is your general health like? Some conditions or medications change the plan.
- What do you prefer? Some people definitely want something fixed, others would rather avoid surgery, and some want to spread treatment over time.
Often the answer is a combination: for example, an implant in one place and a partial denture in another, or a temporary solution until the final one is complete.
At a glance
- Stability: implants and bridges stay in place; a denture comes out.
- Neighbouring teeth: an implant does not touch them; a bridge needs them prepared; a partial denture rests on them with clasps.
- Surgery: only an implant needs a minor surgical procedure.
- Time: bridges and dentures are usually completed in weeks; implants in months.
Cost and GESY
For adults, GESY covers one clinical examination and one cleaning a year; implants, bridges and dentures are not covered. The cost varies a great deal from case to case, so we tell you after the examination, before any treatment begins. You can read more on our Dental Implants treatment page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave the gap if it does not show?
You can, and sometimes replacement is not necessary, for example with a tooth right at the back that has no opposing tooth. In most cases, though, the neighbouring teeth move over time. It is worth looking at it together so you can decide knowing what may happen.
Does having an implant placed hurt?
It is done under local anaesthetic, so during the procedure you usually feel pressure rather than pain. In the following days there may be some discomfort or mild swelling, which for most patients is managed with simple painkillers and the instructions we give you.
Am I too old for an implant?
Age on its own is not usually a barrier. What matters more is your general health, your bone and whether you can keep the area clean. We assess this at the examination.
How long does a bridge last?
Many years, as long as the teeth supporting it stay healthy. Cleaning under the bridge every day and regular check-ups play a big part.
Can I start with a denture and have an implant later?
Yes, this is often how it is done. A partial denture can cover the gap while the implant is planned or healing. It is best not to leave it too many years, though, as the bone in that area may shrink.
Book an appointment
If you are missing a tooth and are not sure which option suits you, call us on 77 773 003 or send a message on WhatsApp or Viber to 95 133 089. At DentLux Clinic in Aglantzia, Nicosia, we will examine you, go through the X-rays with you and explain the pros and cons of each option for your own case.
