I'm Missing or am About to Lose a Tooth. What Are My Options?

Losing a tooth can feel confronting, whether it happens suddenly through injury or gradually due to decay or gum disease. Beyond the way it looks, a missing tooth can affect your bite, chewing, speech, and the long-term health of your jaw and remaining teeth.

Neighbouring teeth may tilt into the gap, and opposing teeth can over-erupt, which can increase the risk of decay on these teeth or adjacent teeth. It can also cause changes in your bite and places increased load on the remaining teeth, thus putting other teeth at more risk of early failure. Replacing a missing tooth promptly helps support your overall oral health and comfort.

Option 1: Dental Implant

An implant is usually the treatment of choice for replacing a single missing tooth. A titanium post is placed in the bone and restored with a custom-made crown. Implants do not rely on neighbouring teeth for support, which helps preserve healthy tooth structure.

They are fixed in place, feel secure when you chew, and can be cared for much like natural teeth, with brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits.

Option 2: Dental Bridge

A bridge uses the teeth on either side of the gap to support an artificial tooth in the middle. The supporting teeth are prepared for crowns, and the bridge is cemented in place. Bridges can be a good option if the neighbouring teeth would benefit from crowns anyway, for example if they are heavily filled or worn.

They are fixed, look natural, and allow you to chew comfortably, but they do require modification of the adjacent teeth, which carries a high biological cost to these teeth if they are unrestored or minimally restored.

Bridges can also be susceptible to decay under the false tooth if diligent cleaning is not performed daily.

Option 3: Partial Denture

A removable partial denture is a custom-made appliance that clips onto the remaining teeth and fills the space left by one or more missing teeth.

Modern dentures can be quite discreet and cost-effective, particularly when several teeth are missing.

However, they need to be removed for cleaning and must be left out overnight to avoid causing problems for the remaining teeth. Some people also find they take time to get used to. Regular reviews are important to ensure the fit remains comfortable as your mouth changes over time.

Option 4: Leaving the Gap

In some cases, a patient may consider not replacing a missing tooth, especially if it is at the back of the mouth and not easily visible.

While this might be ok in certain situations, it can lead to overloading remaining teeth, neighbouring teeth drifting into the gap, opposing teeth over-erupting, and changes in the bite. These changes can make future treatment more complex and may affect your ability to chew comfortably.

Choosing the Right Option for You

The best option depends on:

• The position of the missing tooth.
• The health and condition of your remaining teeth and gums.
• Your general health and jawbone condition.
• Your budget and preferences.
• How important fixed versus removable options are to you.

We can discuss the pros and cons of each solution and help you decide on a plan that matches your needs and goals, both now and in the long term.

Need Advice About a Missing Tooth?

If you have recently lost a tooth or have been told a tooth may need to be removed, South Yarra Dental Group can guide you through your replacement options.

Contact the team to arrange a consultation and receive a personalised treatment plan to restore your smile.