Dental Bridges in Lanark: A Fixed Tooth to Close a Gap
Bridges at our Lanark practice cost from £675 a unit, with most completed in two appointments. 1 The replacement tooth is attached to the teeth on either side of the space, so it stays in permanently: no removable plate, and no operation.
Conventional bridges cost £695 a unit, and dental plan members save 10%. 1 We're taking on new NHS patients, adults and children, as well as private patients.
Units, Explained
We price bridges by the unit. Each tooth that makes up the bridge counts as one, including the false tooth and every supporting tooth.
That means a winged bridge for a missing front tooth is frequently just one unit, a false tooth with a slim wing bonded behind the tooth next door. Replacing a single molar with a conventional bridge usually takes three: two crowns either side and the false tooth between them.
Before you commit, your written plan sets out each unit and what it costs.
Step by Step
Checking Suitability
We examine the neighbouring teeth, X-ray their roots and assess your gums and bite, since all of these determine whether a bridge will last.
Preparation and Scan
Winged bridges need little or no enamel removed. For conventional bridges, the supporting teeth are numbed and reduced. Our iTero scanner then takes a digital record.
Fitting
Roughly a fortnight on, we place it, check the shade and bite together with you, and cement it for good.
Review
A brief appointment to make sure your bite feels right and you're able to clean under the false tooth.
Bridge Designs We Offer
Which one suits depends on the space, your bite and the health of the teeth beside it.
Winged (Maryland) Bridge
A slim wing on the false tooth is bonded to the back of an adjacent tooth. As it needs minimal drilling, it's what we usually recommend for one missing front tooth.
Conventional Bridge
Crowns go on the teeth either side, and they carry the false tooth in the middle. It copes better with strong biting forces, making it a good choice at the back, though the crowned teeth give up some enamel.
Bridge Fitted on Extraction Day
A winged bridge placed at the same appointment as the extraction, so you never have a visible gap. After healing it may be replaced with a definitive bridge.
Long-Term Provisional
Used for several months during implant healing, or while you decide. From £450.
Implant-Supported Bridge
A run of missing teeth replaced on implants, leaving natural teeth out of it. Read about dental implants.
When a Bridge Comes Loose
Keep the bridge and ring us. Provided the supporting teeth are healthy, it can normally be cleaned and cemented back (£80).
Comparing Your Options
Each of the three replaces a missing tooth. Where they differ is price, number of appointments, and how much they rely on nearby teeth.
| Feature | Bridge | Implant | Partial denture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stays in all the time? | Yes | Yes | No, removable |
| Any surgery? | No | A minor procedure with local anaesthetic | No |
| Adjacent teeth | Act as anchors | Not involved | Carry the clasps |
| Jawbone under the gap | Gradually shrinks | Preserved | Gradually shrinks |
| Time to complete | Roughly a fortnight | Typically 3 to 4 months | Several weeks |
| Starting price | £675 per unit | £2,775 including crown | £565 |
How Long Bridges Last
Look after a bridge and 10 to 15 years is common, with many lasting longer still. The false tooth itself hardly ever fails; problems come from the anchor teeth, when decay starts at a crown margin or gum disease attacks their roots.
A winged bridge relies on its bond to enamel, so it works best with healthy teeth and an ordinary bite. Should the wing come away, we can normally clean it and stick it back (£80).
A downside to be aware of: after a tooth is lost, the bone beneath slowly shrinks, which can leave a small space under the false tooth. An implant stops that happening, so Your dentist may recommend one if you're younger or the tooth has only just gone.
Keeping It Clean
Bridge Fees
Your written plan itemises every unit before treatment begins. Dental plan members save 10%. Prices reviewed October 2026. 1
| Winged bridge placed the day a tooth is removed (each unit) | £675 |
| Definitive winged bridge (each unit) | £750 |
| Crown-supported conventional bridge (each unit) | £695 |
| Provisional bridge for long-term wear | from £450 |
| Cementing a conventional bridge back on | £80 |
| Bonding a winged bridge back in place | £80 |
| Compare: a single implant and crown | from £2,775 |
Questions
Pricing, units, and how bridges compare with implants.
Replacing a Missing Tooth
Missing a Tooth?
An examination tells us if the neighbouring teeth are strong enough for a bridge. We'll explain the alternatives too, with every price in writing.