Replacing a missing tooth in Glasgow’s West End

Not always, and your dentist will say so if the space can safely be left, which is sometimes true of a back tooth with nothing opposite it. For most spaces, though, the teeth around it drift and the bite changes, so replacing the tooth sooner is simpler and cheaper than correcting the knock-on effects later.

For a single tooth with healthy neighbours, an implant is usually the best long-term option because it stands on its own and leaves the other teeth untouched. A bridge is the better choice when the teeth either side already need crowns, and it is quicker. A partial denture is the most affordable and involves no drilling. The examination tells you which of these are open to you.

At Dentistry @ Jordanhill a single implant is £2,853, a partial acrylic denture is from £578, and a bridge is quoted after your examination because the price depends on the number of units it needs. The new patient examination is £65 and includes two X-rays. You know the exact cost before anything begins, and finance is available on larger plans.

An immediate denture can be made beforehand and fitted on the day the tooth comes out, with the definitive denture made once the gum has healed, usually 6 to 12 weeks later. A bridge is usually made after 4 to 6 weeks of healing. An implant is usually placed once the socket has healed, around 12 to 14 weeks after the extraction, and planning for it can start sooner. If a front tooth is being taken out, ask about a temporary replacement so you are not left with a gap.

No. A bridge or denture can be made at any time. An implant depends on how much bone is left, which the X-rays show; where the bone has thinned, a graft can rebuild it, or a bridge may be the more straightforward choice.

Yes. Bridges, implant crowns and denture teeth are all made in a shade and shape chosen to sit alongside your own teeth, and your dentist checks the match before the final fit. Where the teeth either side are worn or uneven, composite bonding can be done at the same time so the whole smile reads as one.

With good cleaning and regular check-ups, a bridge typically lasts 10–15 years, an implant can last decades, and a denture is usually remade or relined every 5–7 years as the gum changes shape. We show you how to clean around each at the fitting, because that is what makes the difference.

No. New patients are welcome, and the examination is where your dentist sets out which replacements suit you. If you are already registered with us, book a routine examination and tell us you want to talk about the space.