Want something more affordable than dental implants?
Nervous patient and hate the idea of surgery?
You might be thankful to find out that dental implants aren't the only viable option for replacing missing teeth, even if they are considered the best option. Dental implants are often the go-to recommendation because they preserve vital bone structure in your jaw, preventing facial sagging, tooth migration and further tooth loss, which can't be said for any dental implant alternatives.However, even though dental implants preserve the bone, they also require it to be placed - and seeing as a common problem amongst missing teeth patients is bone loss, they're not always a viable candidate for the procedure without prior bone grafts, for example.So whether you're looking for an alternative because you need something cheaper or just you hate dental implants altogether, then here are all the alternative treatment options to explore...
Cantilever Dental Bridge
Purpose: Replace a missing tooth by anchoring the bridge to one adjacent tooth rather than to teeth on both sides of the gap.
Teeth replaced: Typically used to replace a single missing tooth.
Common use: Used for front teeth for better aesthetics and lower biting forces.
Materials: Porcelain, all ceramic, zirconia, porcelain fused to metal.
Advantages: Less invasive as it requires fewer alterations to neighbouring teeth.
Limitations: It is unsuitable for high-stress areas and can loosen over time.
Durability: Between 5 and 15 years.
Costs: Typically range from £500 to £2,000
Maryland Bridge
Purpose: Replace a missing tooth by anchoring a bridge to adjacent teeth with metal or porcelain wings instead of crowns.
Teeth replaced: Most typically used to replace a single tooth.
Common use: Primarily used for front teeth because biting forces are lower and better aesthetics.
Materials: Porcelain, all ceramic, zirconia, porcelain fused to metal.
Advantages: Requires fewer changes to neighbouring teeth as adhesive wings are used instead of crowns.
Limitations: It is not ideal for heavy biting forces (no rear teeth), and the adhesive can come loose over time.
Durability: Between 5 and 15 years.
Costs: Typically range from £500 to £2,000.
Traditional Bridge
Purpose: Replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring a bridge to crowns placed on either side of the gap.
Teeth replaced: Replaces one to three missing teeth, depending on the strength of adjacent teeth.
Common use: Suitable for missing front and back teeth.
Materials: Porcelain, all ceramic, zirconia, porcelain fused to metal, metal (gold or alloy).
Advantages: Strong and durable, providing great support for areas requiring higher biting forces. It can match natural tooth colour well.
Limitations: A more invasive treatment, as it requires significant alteration of the adjacent teeth to fit crowns. There is also a higher potential for dental decay.
Purpose: Replace multiple missing teeth by anchoring a bridge to a dental implant instead of natural teeth. Suitable if you have no teeth in a row.
Teeth replaced: Typically used to replace two or more lost teeth in a row.
Common use: This appliance is ideal for areas in the mouth where multiple teeth are missing or where adjacent teeth do not support the appliance.
Materials: Porcelain, all ceramic, zirconia, porcelain fused to metal, and titanium for the implant posts.
Advantages: Highly durable and stable, making it perfect for high-stress areas. Also preserves bone in the jaw.
Limitations: More invasive placement, as implants need to be surgically placed. Requires a longer healing time.
Durability: 15 years to a lifetime with the right care. The bridge itself might require replacement after 10-15 years.
Costs: Depends on the number of teeth being replaced. Costs begin from £2,000 to £8,000.
Partial denture
Purpose: Replace one or more missing teeth with a removable prosthesis supported by natural teeth and gum tissue.
Teeth replaced: Used for one or more missing teeth, either in a row, or spread out in different areas of the mouth.
Common use: Suitable for patients with any number of missing teeth who cannot have bridges or implants.
Materials: Acrylic resin, metal framework, porcelain or plastic teeth.
Advantages: Least invasive and cheapest option.
Limitations: Not as stable or secure as fixed options and can move when eating or speaking. Metal clasps may also be visible.
Durability: Can last between 5 and 10 years with the right care.
Costs: Costs can range from £300 to £1,500 depending on the material or number of teeth being replaced.
Cobalt chrome denture (metal)
Purpose: Replace one or more missing teeth with a removable prosthetic that uses a metal framework for additional strength.
Teeth replaced: Replaces multiple missing teeth in one or both arches.
Common use: Best for patients who need a more durable and stable denture (partial denture cases).
Materials: Cobalt-chrome alloy for the metal framework and acrylic resin for the base.
Advantages: Metal framework is more resistant to wear and tear and highly durable. Also provides a more secure fit compared to plastic dentures (reduced movement).
Limitations: Generally more expensive, and the metal framework is more visible. May require periodic relining to accommodate changes in the mouth.
Durability: Can last between 10 and 15 years (often outlasting plastic dentures).
Costs: From £1,100 to £2,500 depending on the complexity of treatment and number of teeth being replaced.
Purpose: Replace a full mouth of missing teeth, or half of the mouth, either in the upper or lower jaw, with a removable prosthesis covering the entire arch and palate.
Teeth replaced: Replaces all teeth in the upper or lower jaw (or both for edentulous cases).
Common use: Suitable for patients who have lost all of their natural teeth in either arch.
Materials: Acrylic resin is used for the base (gum-coloured) and plastic teeth.
Advantages: No surgery or alteration of existing teeth. Generally least expensive option compared to fixed prosthetics.
Limitations: Less durable, requires frequent adjustments and not as stable leading to movement and discomfort.
Durability: Typically lasts 5 to 7 years with the right care. Although you might require adjustments sooner.
Costs: Costs can range from £850 to £1,200 depending on the material or number of teeth replaced.
Pague faseadamente o seu tratamento dentário, seja ele estético, ortodôntico ou geral. Se o seu tratamento custar mais de £250, pode dividir o custo por 12 meses sem juros usando o nosso financiamento. Alternativamente, também somos aceites pelas principais seguradoras dentárias. Contacte-nos para saber mais sobre como pagar o seu tratamento com financiamento ou seguro.
