In short
- Implant: fixed, leaves neighbouring teeth alone, needs surgery, enough bone and about 3 to 6 months.
- Bridge: fixed, usually 2 visits, but the teeth either side are trimmed for crowns.
- Denture: removable, no surgery, the lowest cost for many missing teeth.
- Leaving a gap is also an option for some back teeth; a dentist can tell you if it is likely to cause problems.
Implant, bridge or denture: how they compare
All three replace a missing tooth. They differ in whether they are fixed or removable, whether other teeth are trimmed, how long treatment takes and what they cost.
| Dental implant | Bridge | Denture | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Post in the jawbone holds a crown, bridge or denture | False tooth fixed to crowns on the teeth either side | Removable plate with false teeth |
| Fixed or removable | Fixed (or a snap-on denture) | Fixed | Removable |
| Other teeth trimmed? | No | Yes, the teeth either side | No, a partial clips onto them |
| Surgery? | Yes, minor surgery under local anaesthetic | No | No |
| Treatment time | About 3 to 6 months | Usually 2 or more visits | A few weeks |
| Upkeep | Daily cleaning, 6-monthly check-ups | Clean under it every day | Take out to clean, out at night, relines |
| Published Kathmandu price (Oct 2026) | NPR 75,000 to 125,000 per tooth with crown | 3-unit bridge from about NPR 36,000 (PFM) | Partial NPR 3,000 to 45,000; complete set NPR 30,000 to 60,000 |
| Best for | Enough bone, healthy neighbouring teeth | Neighbouring teeth that already need crowns | Many teeth missing, no surgery, lower cost |
How long they last: in one large review, about 89 out of 100 single implant crowns and about 89 out of 100 regular bridges were still in place after 10 years (Pjetursson and Lang, 2008). A newer review found 93 to 96 out of 100 implant posts still in place after 10 years (Howe et al., 2019). Dentures last about 7 to 10 years on average and need relines every 1 to 2 years (Cleveland Clinic).
Dental implants: a fixed tooth that leaves your other teeth alone
An implant is a titanium post placed in the jawbone that works like a tooth root (NHS). One implant can hold a crown, two or more can hold a bridge, and usually 4 to 6 can hold a whole jaw of teeth (Cleveland Clinic). You need enough bone and healthy gums, and the bone needs a few months to heal around the post.
Read about the steps, timeline, risks and cost on our dental implants page.
Bridges: a fixed tooth held by its neighbours
A bridge is a false tooth joined to crowns on the teeth either side of the gap (NHS). It is quicker than an implant and needs no surgery. The trade-off is that the neighbouring teeth are trimmed, so a bridge makes most sense when those teeth already need crowns.
See how bridges and crowns are made, and the materials and prices, on our dental crowns and bridges page.
Dentures: removable teeth for one gap or a whole jaw
A denture is a removable set of false teeth. A partial denture clips onto your remaining teeth, and a complete denture replaces every tooth in a jaw (Cleveland Clinic). They take a few weeks to make and fit, and a few weeks or more to get used to (NHS).
Compare acrylic, flexible and cast partial dentures, and read tips for choosing dentures for a parent, on our dentures page.
What if I leave the gap?
Some people choose to leave a gap, often at the back of the mouth. The jawbone shrinks where a tooth has been lost (Cleveland Clinic), which can make an implant harder later. A dentist needs to examine you to say whether a gap is likely to cause problems for you.
How to choose
- How many teeth are missing? One tooth: implant or bridge. Several in a row: an implant bridge, a regular bridge or a partial denture. All teeth in a jaw: a complete denture or implants.
- How healthy are the teeth next to the gap? If they are strong and unfilled, an implant avoids trimming them.
- Is there enough bone? If not, an implant may need a bone graft first, which adds time and cost.
- What is your budget? See the price list.
- Is a tooth still there but failing? It may be possible to save it with root canal treatment and a crown. If not, see tooth extraction.
Not sure where to start? Book a check-up and the dentist will explain each option for your mouth. See your first visit.
Sources
- Dental treatments, NHS (2026)
- Survival and complication rates of tooth- and implant-supported fixed prostheses, Journal of Oral Rehabilitation (Pjetursson, Lang) (2008)
- Long-term (10-year) dental implant survival, Journal of Dentistry (Howe, Keys, Richards) (2019)
- Dental implants, Cleveland Clinic (2026)
- Dentures: types, care and benefits, Cleveland Clinic (2023)
- Dentures (false teeth), NHS (2025)
