The three main ways to replace a missing tooth are a bridge, a denture or a dental implant. In England, bridges and dentures are usually available on the NHS under the Band 3 charge (£332.10 from 1 April 2026), while implants are usually only available privately, apart from some patients who cannot wear dentures. The right choice depends on your mouth, your budget and your dentist's clinical advice.
Losing a tooth, whether through decay, gum disease or an accident, leaves most people with two questions: what are the options, and what will they cost? The answers are different on the NHS and privately, and the cheapest option today is not always the one that suits you best in the long run.
This guide sets out how the options compare, what the NHS covers, and how to plan the cost of private treatment, including how dental payment plans for patients in Lewisham and elsewhere work. It is general information only; your dentist is the person to advise on your own teeth.
What are the options for replacing a missing tooth?
Most people are offered some combination of the following, depending on how many teeth are missing, where they are and the health of the surrounding teeth and gums.
- Bridge: a false tooth held in place by attaching it to one or more neighbouring teeth. It is fixed, so you do not take it out.
- Denture: a removable plate carrying one or more false teeth. Dentures are custom-made from impressions (mouldings) of your gums, and can be partial, replacing a few teeth, or complete.
- Dental implant: a small metal post placed into the jawbone, which then supports a crown, bridge or denture. Treatment usually takes several appointments over a number of months.
- Leaving the gap: sometimes an option, particularly for a back tooth. Ask your dentist what leaving the space would mean in your case.
What does the NHS cover?
NHS guidance says that, with the exception of teeth whitening, implants and veneers, the common dental treatments it describes, including bridges, crowns and dentures, are usually available on the NHS. In England, these fall under Band 3, which covers everything in Bands 1 and 2 plus crowns, bridges, dentures and other custom-made appliances.
Implants are the main exception. The NHS says they are usually only available privately and are expensive, although they are sometimes available on the NHS for patients who cannot wear dentures for certain reasons, for example after mouth cancer or an accident.
You pay one NHS charge per course of treatment, even if it takes several visits. Some people pay nothing: under-18s, under-19s in full-time education, people who are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, and people receiving certain benefits, among others. If you are on a low income, the NHS Low Income Scheme may help with part of the cost.
How do bridges, dentures and implants compare?
| Option | Fixed or removable | Usually on the NHS? | Things to ask about |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge | Fixed | Yes, under Band 3 in England | Whether the neighbouring teeth are strong enough to support it, and whether they need to be prepared |
| Partial denture | Removable | Yes, under Band 3 in England | Plastic or metal base, how it clips in, and how to clean it |
| Complete denture | Removable | Yes, under Band 3 in England | Fit over time, and whether it can be stabilised |
| Dental implant | Fixed (or supports a denture) | Usually private only | Bone and gum health, number of visits, total fee including the crown, and aftercare |
Which option is right for you?
There is no single answer, which is why a full examination comes first. Things your dentist will usually consider include:
- How many teeth are missing and where they are.
- The health of the neighbouring teeth, and whether they could support a bridge.
- Your gum health and, for implants, the bone in your jaw.
- Your general health and any medicines you take.
- How you feel about a removable denture compared with fixed treatment.
It is reasonable to ask for every suitable option to be explained, including the NHS route if you are an NHS patient, with the benefits, risks and costs of each. You can also ask for a written treatment plan to take away before you decide.
How can you plan the cost of private treatment?
If you choose a private option, such as an implant, a few simple steps make the cost easier to manage and compare.
- Get a written, itemised quote. For implants, check whether the price includes consultations, X-rays or scans, the implant itself, the crown on top and review appointments.
- Ask what happens if the plan changes. Find out how extra procedures would be priced, and what the practice's policy is if treatment needs to be adjusted.
- Compare like with like. Two quotes are only comparable if they include the same stages of treatment.
- Decide how you will pay. Options include paying in stages as treatment progresses, saving in advance or using a finance agreement.
- Treat finance as credit. Interest-free finance spreads the cost into monthly payments, but it is still a credit agreement. Check the total payable, the term, any deposit and what happens if you miss a payment, and check the lender on the FCA Register.
New FCA rules for interest-free "buy now, pay later" style credit took effect from 15 July 2026, including affordability checks and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Ask any finance provider directly which rules apply to your agreement.
Checklist: questions to take to your consultation
- Which options are clinically suitable for me, and why?
- Which of them are available on the NHS, and which are private only?
- How many appointments will each option take, and over how long?
- What aftercare will I need, and what does it cost?
- What is the total price, in writing, for each option?
- If I use finance, who is the lender, and what is the total amount payable?
A local example
In south-east London, Inspire Dental Lewisham on Lee High Road offers both NHS and private dentistry, with treatments that include dental implants, dentures, crowns and bridges. Its website says it offers 0% finance through Tabeo for routine, cosmetic, implant and orthodontic treatment. As with any practice, ask for a written treatment plan and read any finance agreement before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a dental implant on the NHS?
Usually not. The NHS says implants are generally only available privately, although they are sometimes provided on the NHS for patients who cannot wear dentures for certain reasons, such as after mouth cancer or an accident.
How much does an NHS bridge or denture cost in England?
Both fall under Band 3, which costs £332.10 per course of treatment from 1 April 2026, unless you qualify for free treatment or help with costs.
Do I need to replace a missing back tooth?
Not always. It depends on your bite and the teeth around the gap, so ask your dentist to explain the options, including leaving the space.
Is interest-free dental finance a loan?
Yes. It is a credit agreement with a lender, so check the terms carefully and only borrow what you can comfortably repay.
Sources
- NHS: Dental treatments
- NHS: Understanding NHS dental charges
- NHS Business Services Authority: Current NHS dental charges
- NHS: Get help with dental costs
- FCA: New protections confirmed for Buy Now Pay Later borrowers
General information only, not dental, medical or financial advice. Prices are NHS England charges from 1 April 2026 and private fees vary by practice. Speak to a dentist about your own treatment, and check the terms of any credit agreement before you sign.