For a single missing tooth, a bridge is usually cheaper and quicker, and an implant leaves the neighbouring teeth alone. A bridge is available on the NHS as a Band 3 treatment, which costs £332.10 in England, while implants are usually only available privately. At the private clinics in our table, a single implant with crown starts at £2,500 to £3,513, and bridge prices start from £420 per unit for a resin-bonded bridge. Over the long term both can last many years, and the right choice depends mostly on the state of the teeth either side of the gap.
What is the difference between a bridge and an implant?
A bridge is held by the teeth next to the gap; an implant is held by the bone. The NHS describes a bridge as a fixed replacement for a missing tooth or teeth, made from an impression of the surrounding teeth, which then support it. For an implant, a titanium screw is placed into the jaw bone to support a crown, bridge or denture.
There are two main kinds of bridge. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust explains that a resin-bonded (adhesive) bridge is glued onto the neighbouring tooth or teeth, while a conventional bridge needs the neighbouring teeth filed down for crowns. It adds that usually only one or two teeth can be replaced on a bridge.
| Resin-bonded bridge | Conventional bridge | Implant | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neighbouring teeth | Glued on, no filing down | Filed down for crowns | Not involved |
| Surgery | No | No | Yes, into the jaw bone |
| Available on the NHS | Yes, Band 3 | Yes, Band 3 | Rarely; usually private |
| Healing time before the tooth is fitted | Not needed (no surgery) | Not needed (no surgery) | Usually three to six months, longer with a bone graft |
| Main risk to other teeth | Minimal risk of needing root canal treatment | Root canal treatment or extraction needed in between 5 and 19% of filed teeth | None to the neighbouring teeth |
The risk figures come from the Cambridge leaflet. Its implant leaflet gives the healing time and lists preserving the bone in the jaw as one of the benefits of implants.
How much does a bridge cost compared with an implant?
On the NHS in England, a bridge falls under Band 3 at £332.10, the same charge that covers crowns and dentures. Privately, clinics usually price bridges per unit, meaning each tooth in the bridge, including the supporting teeth. These clinics publish both a bridge price and a single implant price on their own fee pages:
| Clinic (city) | Bridge price | Single implant with crown |
|---|---|---|
| Stoke Bishop Dental Centre (Bristol) | Conventional from £1963.50 (£654.50 per unit); adhesive from £1034.00 (£517 per unit) | From £2983.20 |
| Elgin Park Dental Practice (Bristol) | 3-unit bonded from £1,805 | From £2,967, including abutment and crown |
| Bristol Dental Sedation and Implant Clinic | £650 per unit | £2,500, full course including crown |
| Dental Touch (Bristol) | From £895 per unit | From £2,900, including abutment and crown |
| Holmes Dental Care (Cardiff) | Bridge from £900; resin-bonded from £420 per unit | From £2,860 |
| Hilton Dental Clinic (Nottingham) | Resin-bonded £995; porcelain bonded £750 per unit | £2,995 |
| Williamson Dental (Cambridge) | Fixed from £700 per unit; adhesive from £750 | From £2,950 |
| Cavehill Dental & Implant Clinic (Belfast) | From £835 per unit | £3,513 (£2,056 placement, £633 abutment, £824 crown) |
Stoke Bishop’s conventional bridge price is three units at £654.50, which shows how a per-unit price adds up for one missing tooth. Ask each clinic for a written quote that names the type of bridge and the number of units. For implant prices near you, see our verified pages for Bristol, Cardiff, Nottingham, Cambridge and Belfast.
Which lasts longer?
In the longest study we found, single crowns on implants did better than bridges on natural teeth, but the numbers are small. The study in Clinical Oral Implants Research followed 40 patients and 223 restorations for an average of 20.3 years and estimated survival after 25 years:
| Type of restoration | Estimated survival after 25 years |
|---|---|
| Single crown on an implant | 87% (CI 71% to 100%) |
| Single crown on a natural tooth | 84% (CI 77% to 92%) |
| Bridge on natural teeth | 63% (CI 51% to 79%) |
| Bridge on implants | 64% (CI 34% to 100%) |
The wide confidence intervals mean these figures are estimates, not guarantees. The biological problems seen included decay in 10.6% and gum disease (periodontitis) in 7.9%, which is a reminder that a bridge depends on the health of the teeth holding it. Our guide to how long dental implants last covers implant survival in more detail.
When is a bridge the better choice?
- Surgery is not advisable. The long-term study’s authors note that bridges are an alternative to implants when surgery is ruled out by general health, by medicines, or by too little bone, which would otherwise mean extensive grafting.
- The teeth either side are already heavily restored. Cambridge says the type of bridge depends on the length of the space, the quality of the neighbouring teeth, the bite and the health of the tooth nerves, so ask which type would suit you.
- You want NHS treatment. Bridges are available at the Band 3 charge; implants usually are not.
- A resin-bonded bridge is suitable for the gap, so you avoid filing healthy teeth and surgery at the same time.
When is an implant the better choice?
- The teeth either side are healthy and unfilled, and you do not want them filed down.
- You are fit and healthy enough for minor surgery, with enough bone or willing to have a bone graft.
- You can wait several months for the implant to heal before the crown is fitted.
- The budget allows it, or you can spread the cost with finance.
To model your own numbers over time, try our implant vs bridge cost calculator. Other options include mini implants, and our guide to implant complications sets out the risks of surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dental implant better than a bridge?
It depends on your teeth and health. An implant leaves the neighbouring teeth untouched but needs surgery and months of healing. A bridge needs no surgery and is available on the NHS, but a conventional bridge means filing down the teeth either side, and Cambridge University Hospitals says between 5 and 19% of filed teeth later need root canal treatment or extraction.
How much does a bridge cost compared with an implant in the UK?
On the NHS in England a bridge is a Band 3 treatment at £332.10. Privately, the clinics in our table list bridges from £420 per unit for a resin-bonded bridge, and a single implant with crown from £2,500 to £3,513.
How long do bridges last compared with implants?
In a study that followed patients for an average of 20.3 years, estimated survival after 25 years was 87% for single crowns on implants and 63% for bridges on natural teeth. The study was small, so treat these as estimates.
Can I get a dental implant on the NHS instead of a bridge?
Usually not. The NHS says implants are usually only available privately, while bridges are generally available on the NHS when clinically needed.
What is a resin-bonded bridge?
A bridge that is glued onto the neighbouring tooth or teeth instead of using crowns. Cambridge University Hospitals says it does not require filing the teeth down and carries minimal risk of needing root canal treatment.
Related guides
- Dental Implant vs Bridge
- Mini Dental Implants UK
- Cheap Dental Implants UK
- Dental Implant Finance UK 2026
- Dental Implant Complications and Risks
- All-on-4 Dental Implants UK 2026
- Full Mouth Dental Implants UK
- Full Arch Dental Implants UK 2026
- Same-Day Teeth Implants UK
- Bone Graft for Dental Implants UK
- Dental Implants Cost UK 2026