I've just come back from the dentist! She took an x-ray of my existing bridge (front teeth) and she explained very clearly what my options were. I could have a new bridge which would entail another tooth being 'filed down' to take the new bridge - at the moment, I have 2 'good' teeth which have been 'filed down' to take the bridge. There was also another option (which I've now forgotten, but which didn't seem particularly long-term, and would nevertheless be expensive). Anyway, the last option that we discussed was a denture. It would only have the 3 teeth on it and wouldn't lave to be a full plate across the roof of my mouth. It sounds a bit like Grumpy's? My dentist is private now, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the full treatment is going to cost no more than approximately £350. I do know that a new bridge would have cost about £750 for the cheaper version and £1200 for a 'better' one! I've always had a terrible fear of dentists as well - having had bad experiences as a child, like many of us. My friend was so frightened that she put off going for many years, then realised that she really had to go. She arranged for a hypnotist who works for the NHS to call on her at home and she's honestly had no further fears!