Losing a tooth to decay, trauma, or extraction leaves you with a decision. Replace it, or leave the gap? And if you replace it, which method suits your situation?
There are four main options. Each has distinct advantages and limitations. The right one depends on where the tooth was, what your jaw bone looks like, what the neighbouring teeth are like, and what matters to you in terms of cost, longevity, and maintenance.
Option 1: Dental implant
A dental implant is a titanium post surgically placed into the jaw bone. Once the bone integrates around the post (a process called osseointegration, typically taking 3 to 6 months), a custom crown is attached on top.
Advantages:
- Functions and feels like a natural tooth
- Does not affect neighbouring teeth - no drilling on adjacent healthy teeth
- Stimulates the jaw bone, which helps prevent the bone loss that occurs when a tooth is missing
- Can last 15 to 25 years or longer with proper care
Limitations:
- Requires adequate bone volume. If bone has been lost, a grafting procedure may be needed first, which adds time and cost.
- Surgical procedure with a healing period. Not suitable for patients with certain uncontrolled medical conditions.
- Higher upfront cost than other options.
- Total treatment time from placement to final crown: typically 3 to 9 months.
Cost in Brisbane: From approximately $4,500 to $6,500 for a single implant with crown. Bone grafting, if required, is additional. For a detailed breakdown, see our implant cost guide.
Who it may suit: Patients with adequate bone who want a long-term, standalone replacement that does not compromise adjacent teeth.
Option 2: Dental bridge
A dental bridge spans the gap using the teeth on either side as anchors. The anchor teeth are prepared (reduced in size) and fitted with crowns, and a false tooth (pontic) sits between them, suspended over the gum.
Advantages:
- Fixed in place - no removal needed
- Faster than an implant. Typically completed in two to three appointments over two to three weeks.
- Does not require surgery
- Lower upfront cost than an implant in most cases
Limitations:
- Requires healthy neighbouring teeth to be reduced for crowns. This is irreversible. If those teeth are already crowned or heavily filled, a bridge may make good use of them. If they are healthy and untouched, cutting them down is a significant trade-off.
- Does not prevent bone loss in the gap - the jaw bone beneath the pontic will gradually resorb over time.
- If one anchor tooth develops a problem (decay, fracture), the entire bridge may need replacement.
- Typical lifespan: 7 to 15 years, depending on hygiene and the health of anchor teeth.
Cost in Brisbane: From approximately $3,000 to $5,000 for a three-unit bridge, depending on materials and complexity.
Who it may suit: Patients who want a fixed solution, have neighbouring teeth that already need crowns, or are not suitable candidates for implant surgery. Read our comparison of bridges vs implants for more detail.
Option 3: Removable partial denture
A partial denture is a removable appliance with one or more replacement teeth attached to a gum-coloured base. It clips onto remaining natural teeth with metal or flexible clasps.
Advantages:
- Lowest cost option
- Non-invasive - no surgery, no drilling of adjacent teeth
- Can replace multiple teeth at once
- Can often be made relatively quickly
Limitations:
- Removable. Must be taken out for cleaning and typically at night.
- Less stable than a fixed option. Can shift during eating or speaking, particularly lower partial dentures.
- Metal clasps may be visible depending on design and location.
- Does not prevent bone loss.
- May need periodic adjustment or replacement as the jaw bone and gum shape change over time.
Cost in Brisbane: From approximately $800 to $2,500, depending on the number of teeth replaced and the material (acrylic vs cobalt chrome vs flexible nylon).
Who it may suit: Patients on a tighter budget, those who are not candidates for surgery, or those who need a temporary solution while deciding on a longer-term option.
Option 4: No replacement (leave the gap)
This is a valid option in certain situations and worth discussing honestly.
When it may be reasonable:
- The missing tooth is a back molar with no functional or aesthetic impact
- The bite is stable and the opposing tooth is not over-erupting
- You are not experiencing difficulty chewing
- Your dentist has assessed the gap and confirmed that monitoring is a safe approach
Risks of leaving a gap long-term:
- Adjacent teeth may drift or tilt into the space over months and years
- The opposing tooth (the one that used to bite against the missing tooth) may over-erupt - gradually moving out of its socket
- Bone loss occurs in the area of the missing tooth
- Bite changes can lead to uneven wear on remaining teeth and potential jaw joint issues
Leaving a gap is not inherently wrong, but it should be a monitored decision, not a neglected one. Your dentist can track changes at regular reviews and intervene if problems develop.
Quick comparison
Implant | Bridge | Partial denture | No replacement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fixed or removable | Fixed | Fixed | Removable | N/A |
Surgery required | Yes | No | No | No |
Adjacent teeth affected | No | Yes (reduced) | Minimal (clasps) | Possible drift |
Prevents bone loss | Yes | No | No | No |
Typical lifespan | 15–25+ years | 7–15 years | 5–10 years | N/A |
Approximate cost (Brisbane) | From $4,500 | From $3,000 | From $800 | $0 |
Treatment time | 3–9 months | 2–3 weeks | 2–4 weeks | N/A |
Indicative pricing. Your quote may differ based on clinical assessment.
The decision framework
Rather than asking which option is objectively better, ask which option fits your specific situation.
Prioritising longevity and bone preservation? An implant is the strongest long-term investment. It stands alone, preserves bone, and typically lasts 20 years or more with proper care.
Adjacent teeth already compromised? A bridge is efficient. If the teeth beside the gap need crowns anyway, a bridge addresses all three in one treatment without the timeline and cost of surgery.
Needing something now at a lower cost? A partial denture provides a functional and cosmetic solution quickly. It can serve as a stepping stone to a permanent option later.
Medical or anatomical barriers to surgery? A bridge or denture avoids surgical risk entirely.
How we approach missing teeth at Ivy Dental
At our Everton Park and Nundah practices, we start with a clinical assessment and imaging (typically a cone beam CT scan for implant cases) to understand your bone volume, the condition of neighbouring teeth, and your bite.
We present the options that are clinically suitable for your case, including dental crowns where bridgework is recommended. We explain the trade-offs clearly. We do not push implants when a bridge makes more sense, and we do not recommend a bridge if it means damaging two healthy teeth unnecessarily.
Health fund rebates and payment plan options may be available to approved applicants.
Book a missing tooth consultation at Ivy Dental →
Making the decision
The right replacement depends on your clinical situation, your priorities, and your budget. There is no single option that suits everyone.
If you have been putting off dealing with a missing tooth - or you have been told you need an extraction and want to plan ahead - a consultation will give you a clear picture of what is possible and what each option will cost for your specific case.
Book a consultation at Ivy Dental →, or call (07) 3266 7120.
