Types of Dental Implants: Which Option Is Right for You?

Reviewed by Dr Andrew Connolly BDS MSc Implant Dent, Principal Dental Surgeon · Limes Dental Practice · October 2026

This guide walks through the four main routes we discuss with patients at Limes Dental Practice in Gloucester. If you want the basics of how an implant is placed and healed, our step-by-step overview of how implants work covers that first.

What is a dental implant, in simple terms?

A dental implant is a small post, most often made of titanium, that sits in the jawbone and acts like a tooth root. Over a few months the bone bonds to it, which is called osseointegration. Once it is stable, a crown, bridge or denture is attached on top.

The post itself is similar across most treatments. What changes is what sits on top and how many posts are needed. That is what we mean by "type" in the rest of this guide.

Which implant is right for one missing tooth?

A single implant with a single crown is usually the first choice for one missing tooth. It stands alone, so the teeth either side are left untouched. You clean it much like a natural tooth.

At Limes, implant surgery starts from £995 and the implant crown starts from £895. Both figures are on our fees page. Your exact plan depends on bone, gum health and the position of the tooth, and you will have it in writing before treatment starts.

What if I am missing two or three teeth side by side?

You do not always need one implant per missing tooth. Two implants can often support a small bridge of three or four teeth. This keeps the cost and the number of surgical sites down.

If you are weighing this against a conventional tooth-supported bridge, we explain whether a bridge or an implant is the better fit in a separate guide. The key difference is that an implant bridge does not rely on the neighbouring teeth.

What are my options if I am missing most or all of my teeth?

For a full arch, there are two broad routes.

• Fixed teeth on implants. A complete set of teeth is fixed on a small number of implants and is not removed at home. This is known as full arch implant-supported teeth. It feels closest to natural teeth, but needs enough bone and a larger investment.
• A denture that clips onto implants. You keep a removable denture, but it attaches to implants instead of resting on the gums. We cover this in our guide to implant-supported dentures. It is usually more stable than a standard denture and is easier to clean and maintain.

Fees for multiple implants and full arch treatment are not a fixed figure. They are quoted after your scan and consultation.

How do I know which type is right for me?

Four things usually decide it.

1. How many teeth are missing, and where. Front teeth, back teeth and a whole arch all have different needs.
2. How much bone you have. Bone that has shrunk over time may need a graft or sinus lift first. Bone augmentation starts from £550 and a sinus lift from £995 at Limes.
3. Whether you prefer fixed or removable teeth. Some patients want teeth that never come out. Others value being able to remove and clean a denture.
4. Your general health and gum condition. Healthy gums matter for the long-term success of any implant.

A scan and an honest conversation answer these questions far better than a website can. Dr Andrew Connolly, who holds an MSc in implant dentistry, will talk you through the choices without pressure.

What happens next?

If you are not sure which route fits, the best next step is a consultation. We will look at your teeth, take the scans we need and explain your options in plain language. You can read more about implant treatment at our Stroud Road practice, or you can book an implant consultation directly. For general background on how implant surgery works, the Mayo Clinic overview of dental implant surgery is a helpful independent read.

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