I'm Missing a Tooth: What Are My Options?

This is one of the most common questions we encounter in practice.

Tooth loss can occur for a number of reasons, including advanced decay, gum disease, trauma, failure of previous dental treatment, or planned extraction.

So What are your options?

Option 1: Do Nothing (Yes, This Is an Option)

This often surprises people.

In some cases, especially if the tooth isn’t visible and isn’t affecting function - doing nothing may be reasonable.

But it may come with consequences:

• Nearby teeth can drift into the space

• Opposing teeth can over-erupt

• Bite changes can develop over time

Option 2: Dental Implant (The Closest Thing to a Natural Tooth)

A dental implant replaces both:

• The root (with a titanium implant)

• The tooth (with a crown on top)

It’s often considered the most complete solution because:

• It doesn’t rely on neighbouring teeth

• It helps preserve bone

• It feels and functions like a natural tooth

This solution can be difficult for some people because:

• It requires sufficient bone

• It involves surgery

• It takes time (often several months)

Option 3: Dental Bridge (Fixed, But Dependent on Other Teeth)

A bridge uses the teeth on either side of the gap to support a replacement tooth.

Pros:

• Fixed (doesn’t come out)

• Faster than implants

• Good functional result

Cons:

• Requires preparing (filing down) adjacent teeth

• Doesn’t replace the root

• Usually has a shorter lifespan than implants

Option 4: Removable Denture (Simple and Accessible)

A removable option that replaces one or more missing teeth.

Pros:

• Lower cost

• Non-invasive

• Quick to provide

Cons:

• Less stable

• Can feel bulky

• Needs to be removed and maintained daily

This is usually considered when other options aren’t viable, particularly in cases where multiple teeth are missing and an aesthetic outcome is a priority.

So Which Option Is Best?

A missing tooth is a worrying issue but there are plenty of solutions available to choose from. The most important thing is to choose a solution where a missing tooth does not become a bigger issue over time.

The right treatment isn’t always the most advanced, it’s the one that makes sense for your situation, now and in the future.

Book your missing tooth assessment today where we can discuss the options for your personal tooth replacement journey.