--- title: "Dental Implants vs Orthodontics UK: Replacing vs Moving Teeth" url: https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/dental-implants-vs-orthodontics-uk description: "When to choose a dental implant vs orthodontic treatment in the UK — costs, timelines, suitability, and why both are often needed in sequence." updated: 2026-08-17T00:00:00Z publisher: Virtual Consultant Online --- Missing Teeth Implants Treatment Planning # Dental Implants vs Orthodontics UK — Replacing vs Moving Teeth Implants replace missing teeth. Orthodontics moves existing teeth. These are not always alternatives — many patients need both, in sequence. Getting the order wrong is costly, so here is how to understand when each treatment applies. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Compare Costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) ## What is the key distinction between implants and orthodontics? Implants are a replacement for a missing tooth: a titanium post is placed in the jawbone and a crown is fitted on top. Orthodontics moves existing teeth through bone. These are fundamentally different interventions. They are sometimes alternatives — close the gap orthodontically versus replace the tooth with an implant — but they are often sequential: orthodontics to position the space correctly, then an implant to fill it. ## When is a dental implant the right choice? Implants are appropriate when one or more teeth are missing with healthy adjacent teeth, there is sufficient bone volume for the post, the patient is an adult (growth must be complete), and there is no active gum disease. Smoking and certain medical conditions affect implant success rates. Implants are not available on the NHS for routine tooth replacement and typically cost £1,500 to £4,000 per tooth privately. ## When is orthodontics the right choice? Orthodontics is appropriate for: space closure, moving teeth together to eliminate a gap; space opening, creating a correctly sized gap for a future implant; correcting the tilt or rotation of adjacent teeth before implant placement; and hypodontia management, where missing teeth require comprehensive planning of space distribution across the whole arch. ## How do implants and orthodontics compare across key factors? Cost: implants typically £1,500–£4,000 per tooth versus orthodontics £1,500–£6,500. Timeline: implants 3–12 months including healing versus orthodontics 6 months to 3 years. Age: implants only after growth is complete versus orthodontics at any age. NHS availability: implants not routinely available versus orthodontics available for eligible under-18s. Only orthodontics can move existing teeth; only implants can replace missing ones. ## Why must implants be placed after orthodontics? Implants cannot be moved once they have integrated into the bone — any adjacent teeth must therefore be in their correct final position before implant placement. Placing an implant before orthodontics locks it in place: if adjacent teeth need adjusting around it after the fact, the implant cannot move with them and the result will be compromised. Involve both your orthodontist and implant dentist at the planning stage, before any treatment begins, to agree the sequence and the ideal space dimensions for the implant crown. ## Useful related pages [Orthodontics for Missing Teeth UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/orthodontics-missing-teeth-uk) [Orthodontics with Crowns and Implants](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/orthodontics-with-crowns-implants-uk) [Veneers vs Braces UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/veneers-vs-braces-uk) [Composite Bonding vs Orthodontics](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/composite-bonding-vs-orthodontics-uk) [GDC Registered Orthodontist UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/gdc-registered-orthodontist-uk) This guide is for general information only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for advice from a registered dentist or orthodontist. ### Compare next steps [Orthodontist Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/orthodontic-treatment-near-me) [Clear Aligners Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/clear-aligners-near-me) [Invisalign Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/invisalign-provider-near-me) [Browse Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) ### Ready for a clearer starting point? Upload guided photos and receive an indication of likely treatment options and pricing before booking appointments. [Get an Online Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) ### Frequently Asked Questions Can I have a dental implant instead of braces? They solve different problems. If you have a missing tooth, an implant replaces it. If your teeth are misaligned, orthodontics moves them. In some cases — where a gap exists from a missing tooth — you can choose between closing the gap orthodontically or keeping the space for an implant. Your orthodontist and dentist should assess which is better for your bite, aesthetics, and long-term dental health, as both options have different clinical implications. Do I need orthodontics before a dental implant? Often yes. Adjacent teeth frequently lean into an extraction space over time and must be uprighted before the implant is placed. The space also needs to be the correct width for the implant crown. Placing an implant before orthodontics locks the implant in position — it cannot then be moved if teeth need adjusting around it. This makes pre-implant orthodontic assessment extremely important, particularly when teeth have been missing for some time. How long do dental implants last? With good oral hygiene and regular dental care, implants can last a lifetime. Clinical studies typically report survival rates above 90 to 95 percent at 10 years. Individual longevity depends on bone quality, oral hygiene, smoking, and systemic health. The crown on top may need replacing after 15 to 20 years due to normal wear. Annual dental check-ups and professional implant maintenance are important for long-term success. Why can children not have dental implants? A child's jaws are still growing. An implant placed in a growing jaw becomes anchored in bone and does not move with growth — it ends up in the wrong position as the surrounding bone develops. The implant will also appear progressively submerged as adjacent teeth continue to erupt. Orthodontists manage space for eventual implants in young patients but defer placement until growth is complete, usually in the late teens. Can I have an implant after braces? Yes — this is the standard sequence for patients who need both. If braces were used to open or maintain a space for an implant, the implant is placed after orthodontic treatment is complete and a retainer is in place to hold the space. Your orthodontist and implant dentist should plan the timing together, and the retainer often incorporates a temporary prosthetic tooth in the gap while you wait for the implant to be placed. Is orthodontic treatment to create implant space available on the NHS? NHS orthodontic treatment in under-18s is based on clinical need as measured by the IOTN. Missing teeth with restorative implications can contribute to a higher IOTN score. However, NHS orthodontics primarily to create implant space as a restorative objective is generally considered outside NHS scope. The implant itself is not available on the NHS for routine tooth replacement. Discuss your specific circumstances with your orthodontist and general dental practitioner to understand what is and is not funded. Explore your options Quick links Not sure where to start? Use these quick links to explore orthodontic treatments, typical costs, and helpful guides that explain what different options involve. Whether you're researching braces or clear aligners, comparing pricing, or just getting a feel for what comes next, you can browse at your own pace and come back when you're ready to request a quote. Explore [Get Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) [Browse Treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) [Teeth Straightening](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/teeth-straightening) [Browse Problems](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems) [Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) [Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/orthodontic-treatment-near-me) [NHS Eligibility Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/do-i-qualify-for-nhs-treatment) [IOTN Score Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/iotn-score-checker) [How To Take Orthodontic Photos](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/process/how-to-take-orthodontic-photos) [Online Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/online-orthodontist-uk) [Research Papers](https://virtualconsultant.online/research) [Social Channels](https://virtualconsultant.online/social) ## Ready for a personalised answer? Upload guided photos and get a tailored recommendation for your teeth and bite. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Find an Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) Citation details Title Dental Implants vs Orthodontics UK: Replacing vs Moving Teeth Publisher Virtual Consultant Online Published 2024-06-01 Updated 2026-08-17 URL [https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/guides/dental-implants-vs-orthodontics-uk](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/guides/dental-implants-vs-orthodontics-uk)