For one missing tooth between healthy neighbours, a dental implant is usually the best long-term option: it replaces the root as well as the tooth, leaves the teeth either side untouched and commonly lasts decades. A bridge is faster and has a lower upfront cost, but the neighbouring teeth have to be cut down to carry it. A denture is the quickest and lowest-cost replacement, and the only one that is removable. At Toothi in Edgware a single implant including the crown is £1,995, a bridge is from £595 per unit, and a partial denture is from £595.
Written and reviewed by Dr Ali El-Kabengi (GDC 270807), principal dentist at Toothi London, 1 Handel Parade, Edgware HA8 6LD, who has a special interest in implant dentistry. Updated 3 October 2026. Toothi fees correct as of September 2026 — see our full fee list. Lifespans are typical ranges reported in the dental literature, not guarantees; individual outcomes depend on health, hygiene and habits.
Implant, bridge or denture: side by side
| Dental implant | Conventional bridge | Partial denture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A titanium post in the jaw with a crown on top | A false tooth fixed to crowns on the teeth either side | A removable plate carrying one or more false teeth |
| Price at Toothi | £1,995 including the crown (CBCT scan paid separately to the imaging centre) | From £595 per unit; one missing tooth usually needs three units | From £595 |
| Time to finish | Typically around 3–6 months, while the bone bonds to the implant | Usually two visits a few weeks apart | Usually a few weeks |
| Typical lifespan | Often decades for the implant; the crown typically 10–15 years | 10–15 years | 5–8 years |
| Neighbouring teeth | Left alone | Cut down to carry the bridge | Left alone, though clasps can put strain on them |
| Jaw bone under the gap | Preserved, because the implant loads it like a root | Continues to shrink | Continues to shrink |
| Fixed or removable | Fixed | Fixed | Removable |
| Day-to-day feel | Closest to a natural tooth | Good | Takes getting used to |
| Surgery needed | Yes, minor, under local anaesthetic | No | No |
When a dental implant is the right choice
An implant is the strongest option when the teeth either side of the gap are healthy and you want a fixed tooth that behaves like your own. Because the implant replaces the root, it keeps loading the jaw bone, which otherwise shrinks after a tooth is lost. It does need enough bone to hold it, which the CBCT 3D scan shows; if a tooth has been missing for some time, a bone graft or sinus lift may be needed first. Implants also need good gum health, and smoking and poorly controlled diabetes raise the risk of failure.
At Toothi a single implant is £1,995 including the Osstem implant, the abutment, a porcelain crown and every review appointment. A bone graft is from £395 and an internal sinus lift £595, only if your scan shows you need one. Read what implant placement feels like and how long implants last.
When a bridge makes more sense
A conventional bridge is a sensible choice when the teeth either side of the gap already have large fillings or crowns, because preparing them for a bridge costs them little that they haven’t already lost. It is also an option for anyone who can’t or would rather not have minor surgery, or who needs a fixed tooth in weeks rather than months. The trade-off is that the bridge depends on those two teeth for its whole life; if one of them develops decay or needs a root canal, the bridge is affected too.
When a denture is the right answer
A partial denture suits several missing teeth in different places, a gap that needs filling quickly, or a situation where surgery isn’t appropriate. It is the lowest-cost option on day one and can be added to later if more teeth are lost. The downsides are that it is removable, can feel bulky at first, and does nothing to stop the bone shrinking, so it needs relining or remaking over time. A partial denture is from £595 at Toothi and a complete denture from £995 per arch.
Replacing several teeth, or a whole arch
- Two missing teeth in different places — two implants. A second implant placed at the same visit is £1,795 at Toothi because it shares the scan, consultation and surgery.
- Three teeth in a row — an implant bridge on two implants, with the middle tooth carried between them: £4,495. No natural teeth are cut down.
- A whole arch, removable — an implant-retained denture that clips onto two to four implants, far more stable than a conventional denture: £7,995 per arch.
- A whole arch, fixed — a fixed full-arch bridge on four or six implants (All-on-X). Fixed full-arch bridges (All-on-X) are available at Toothi, priced on assessment at your free consultation.
Cost now versus cost over time
A denture or bridge costs less on the day. Over twenty years the picture changes: a denture is typically remade several times, a bridge often once or twice, and each bridge replacement depends on the supporting teeth staying healthy. A well-maintained implant usually needs only its crown replaced along the way. That is why the right comparison is the cost of the finished result over the years you expect to keep it, not the first invoice. For a full breakdown of implant prices, see our dental implant cost UK guide and London implant prices compared.
Frequently asked questions
Is an implant better than a bridge?
For a single gap between healthy teeth, usually yes: an implant leaves the neighbouring teeth untouched, preserves the jaw bone and commonly lasts longer. A bridge can be the better choice when the neighbouring teeth already need crowns, or when you need a fixed tooth quickly without surgery.
Which lasts longest — an implant, a bridge or a denture?
Typically the implant, which commonly lasts decades with good maintenance, though its crown is usually replaced after 10–15 years. Bridges typically last 10–15 years and partial dentures 5–8 years. These are typical ranges, not guarantees.
Can I have an implant if I already wear a denture?
Often, yes. If there is enough bone, the gap can be filled with an implant, or two to four implants can be used to hold a denture firmly in place. A CBCT scan shows what’s possible.
Can I get any of these on the NHS?
Bridges and dentures are available on the NHS under Band 3. Implants are funded only for specific medical needs through hospital referral. Toothi is a fully private practice. See can you get dental implants on the NHS.
Talk it through, free
The right answer depends on your bone, the health of the teeth around the gap and what you want from the result. The implant consultation at Toothi is free and you leave with a written plan comparing your options. Book online (a £50 deposit, refunded when you attend or give 24 hours’ notice), WhatsApp us or call 020 3148 2444. More on dental implants at Toothi.
0% finance is available over up to 10 months on treatment over £250. Cherry Dental Ltd trading as Toothi is a credit broker, not a lender, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 957242). Credit is provided by Tabeo, subject to status.
