Missing Teeth
Missing teeth replacement in North London
Whether you've lost a single tooth or most of them, our Finsbury Park team can replace them with dental implants, bridges or dentures. We'll explain every option clearly, and you'll have a written quote before any treatment starts.
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Missing one or more teeth? You're not alone.
Losing an adult tooth is common. Decay that reached the nerve, a crack that couldn't be repaired, gum disease or a knock during sport can all leave a gap. Some gaps sit at the back where nobody notices them. Others are the first thing you see in a photo.
Wherever the space is, it tends to cause knock-on problems if it's left. You start chewing on the other side, the teeth next to the gap can tip towards it, and the tooth opposite can slowly move into the space. Tilted teeth are harder to clean, which raises the risk of decay and gum problems. Without a root to stimulate it, the jawbone under the gap also shrinks over time.At Woodberry Down Dental Practice we've cared for families across Finsbury Park, Manor House, Stoke Newington and Harringay since 1983. If a damaged tooth can still be saved with root canal treatment or a dental crown, we'll talk that through first. Where a tooth does need replacing, we'll explain the options that suit your mouth and your budget, without pressure.
Knocked a tooth out in the last few hours? Call us straight away and ask for an emergency dental appointment.
What are my options for replacing missing teeth?
There are three main ways to replace missing teeth: dental implants, dental bridges and dentures. Which one suits you depends on four things:
- How many teeth are missing, and where
- The health of the teeth and gums around the gap
- How much jawbone you have
- Whether you’d prefer something fixed or removable
Dental Implants
A dental implant replaces the root of a tooth as well as the part you can see. A small titanium fixture is placed in the jawbone, where it bonds with the bone over three to six months, and a custom-made ceramic crown is then fitted on top. Because an implant stands on its own, the teeth either side of the gap don’t need to be touched.
Implant treatment at our practice is provided by Dr Vishal Raichura (GDC 244545), who uses our in-house CBCT scanner to check the jawbone in 3D before any surgery is planned. Implants can replace missing teeth in three ways:
- A single tooth implant fills one gap with a crown matched to your natural teeth.
- Two or more implants can support a bridge, replacing several teeth in a row without relying on your natural teeth.
- Full mouth dental implants, using All-on-4 or All-on-6, replace a whole upper or lower arch with fixed teeth.
Find out more about dental implants in North London, or read our step-by-step guide to the dental implant procedure.
Dental Bridges
A bridge closes a gap with one or more replacement teeth held in place by crowns on the teeth next to the space. It’s fixed, so it doesn’t come out, and it doesn’t involve surgery. Treatment usually takes two or more visits, and a temporary bridge protects your teeth while the permanent one is made in the laboratory.
The trade-off is that the supporting teeth need to be shaped to hold the crowns. That’s why a bridge is often a good fit when those teeth are already heavily filled or need crowns, while an implant may be the kinder choice for healthy neighbouring teeth. We offer three types of bridge:
- Traditional bridges
- Cantilever bridges, for gaps with only one suitable supporting tooth
- Implant-supported bridges
Read more about dental bridges.
Dentures
Dentures are removable replacement teeth made to fit your mouth. A partial denture fills gaps between your remaining natural teeth and is supported by them. A complete denture replaces a full upper or lower set. No surgery is needed, and dentures usually cost less upfront than implants.
Dr Shah and the team take impressions of your mouth, and your denture is made in a dental laboratory to the tooth shape, size and colour you’ve chosen with us. We then check the fit and make any adjustments so it feels secure. Find out more about dentures in North London.
Comparing your options at a glance
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Dental implant | Dental bridge | Denture | |
Fixed or removable | Fixed | Fixed | Removable |
Effect on neighbouring teeth | Left untouched | Shaped to hold crowns (unless implant-supported) | Partial dentures rest on your remaining teeth |
Surgery | Yes, under local anaesthetic, with sedation available | No | No |
Typical treatment time | Six to twelve months from consultation to final crown | Two or more visits over a few weeks | Several appointments for impressions, making and fitting |
Supports the jawbone | Yes | No | No |
Often suits | One or more missing teeth where gums and bone are healthy | A gap next to teeth that would benefit from crowns | Several or all teeth missing, or when you’d rather avoid surgery |
Which option suits your situation?
One missing front tooth. Appearance usually comes first here. A single implant replaces the tooth without altering the teeth beside it, and a temporary restoration can be provided while the implant heals so you aren’t left with a visible gap. A bridge is an alternative where the neighbouring teeth would benefit from crowns.
A missing back tooth or molar. It’s tempting to leave a gap nobody can see, but molars do most of the heavy chewing. Replacing a back tooth with an implant or a bridge spreads the load evenly again and stops the tooth opposite moving into the space.
Several missing teeth. You could have an implant-supported bridge or a traditional bridge where there are strong teeth either side. A partial denture can replace teeth in more than one area of the mouth at once.
Most or all of your teeth. A complete denture is the non-surgical route. If you want teeth that stay fixed in place, full mouth implants replace a whole arch on four or six implants. A temporary fixed set is usually fitted on the day of surgery or shortly after.
A tooth that needs to come out. If you’ve been told a tooth can’t be saved, plan the replacement before your tooth extraction. That way you know the timeline and the cost from the start.
What happens at your consultation
Your first appointment is about understanding your mouth and what you want from treatment. We’ll check your teeth, gums and bite, and take X-rays. Where implants are being considered, we’ll also take a 3D CBCT scan here at the practice. If there are signs of gum disease, we’ll treat that first with our gum hygiene treatment, because replacement teeth last longer in a healthy mouth.
We’ll then talk you through the options that suit you, including how long each takes and how to look after it, and give you a written treatment plan and cost breakdown. You can take it home and decide in your own time. If dental visits make you anxious, tell us when you book. Sedation is available for treatment such as implant placement, and our page on care for nervous patients explains how we help.
Cost and finance
The cost of replacing missing teeth depends on three things:
- The option you choose
- How many teeth are involved
- Whether any preparation is needed first, such as gum treatment or a bone graft before an implant
You’ll always receive a written estimate before treatment is confirmed.
0% interest-free finance is available on treatment plans, so you can spread the cost over monthly payments. You can also view our dental fees and our dental membership plans for ongoing care.
Why patients choose Woodberry Down for missing teeth
- Caring for the local community since 1983, with a 4.8-star Google rating
- Implants, bridges and dentures all provided at one practice
- Implant treatment led by Dr Vishal Raichura, with in-house CBCT scanning
- Written treatment plans and quotes before you commit
- Sedation available for anxious patients
- 0% finance and membership plans
See real results in our smile gallery, or meet the dental team who’ll look after you. When you’re ready, book a consultation online.
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Book ConsultationFrequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions patients ask us most about replacing missing teeth.
What is the best way to replace a missing tooth?
There isn't one answer for everyone. An implant is the closest match to a natural tooth and leaves the neighbouring teeth alone, but it involves a surgical step and a few months of healing. A bridge is quicker and avoids surgery, and a denture is the simplest option when several teeth are missing. At your consultation we'll look at your gums, bone and remaining teeth, then recommend what fits your situation.
What is the most affordable way to replace missing teeth?
Dentures usually have the lowest upfront cost, followed by bridges, with implants costing the most at the start. Over the long term the picture can change. An implant can last for decades with good care, while dentures and bridges may need replacing along the way. We’ll give you a written quote for each suitable option, and 0% finance is available.
Is it worth replacing a back tooth if nobody can see the gap?
Usually, yes. Back teeth take most of the force when you chew, so losing one puts extra pressure on the teeth around it. Over time, the tooth above or below the gap can drift into the space and the neighbouring teeth can tip. That changes your bite and makes those teeth harder to keep clean. An implant or a bridge restores even chewing on both sides.
How soon after an extraction can a missing tooth be replaced?
It depends on which replacement you choose and how the gum and bone heal after the extraction. Ideally, we plan the replacement before the tooth comes out, so you know the timeline and cost from the start. With implants, a temporary restoration can be provided during healing where needed, so you aren't left with a gap.
I've had a gap for years. Can it still be filled?
Often, yes. The jawbone under a long-standing gap may have reduced, so we use a CBCT scan to see how much bone is left before an implant is considered. If there isn't enough, you may need preparatory treatment such as a bone graft first, or a bridge or denture may be the better choice. We'll explain what's involved and what it costs before anything is booked.
Will replacement teeth look natural?
Crowns and bridges are made to match the shape, size and shade of your own teeth. With dentures, you choose the tooth shape, size and colour with us before they're made. The aim is a result that blends in with the rest of your smile, and you can see examples of our work in our smile gallery.
Does replacing missing teeth hurt?
Implant placement and bridge preparation are carried out under local anaesthetic, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. Some tenderness or sensitivity for a few days afterwards is normal and settles on its own. Dentures don't involve surgery, although a new one can take a little time to get used to. If you're anxious, sedation is available and we'll go at a pace that suits you.
How long do replacement teeth last?
With good care, an implant can stay in place for decades, although the crown on top may need replacing after ten to fifteen years. A well-looked-after bridge often lasts ten to fifteen years or more. Dentures may need adjusting or remaking over time as the shape of your gums changes. Good brushing, cleaning between your teeth and regular check-ups and cleans all help your new teeth last.
Can implants replace a loose denture?
Yes. If your denture moves when you eat or speak, full mouth implants can replace it with a fixed set of teeth held on four or six implants in each arch. The teeth stay in place and don't need to be taken out for cleaning. Suitability depends on your jawbone and general health, which we assess with a CBCT scan at your consultation.