The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth: Options and Benefits

04.02.2025

Whatever your reasons for losing a tooth, leaving a gap in your smile might not be the best option. Not only will gaps impact your confidence, they can also have wide-reaching consequences for your oral health. It might not seem like a big problem, but gaps in your smile can lead to more issues – and the requirement for expensive restorative treatment – further down the line.

In this guide, we’re looking at the potential problems associated with missing teeth and how you can benefit from the various treatment options available. If you’re facing a tooth extraction and aren’t sure what you should do next, our team can advise you on the best options for your situation. Book a consultation with our team to learn more about restorative options following a tooth extraction.

Why do you need to replace missing teeth?

A gap in your smile might not seem like such a big deal, particularly if this is at the back of your mouth. However, missing teeth can lead to issues down the line for your oral health, including:

  • Missing teeth can impact the surrounding and opposing teeth. The gap in your smile can allow the surrounding teeth to shift into the gap, leading to crooked teeth and misalignments in your bite. The opposing teeth can also suffer and become loose, as they will have nothing to push against when you bite.

  • If you have a gap in your molars on one side, this could lead you to favour chewing on the other side. This may lead to uneven wear on the opposite teeth which can cause fractures and tooth decay. It may also lead to jaw problems which can cause headaches.

  • Another issue with missing teeth is that your gums can recede, leaving the surrounding teeth with less support than usual. If you notice the teeth around your missing tooth become more sensitive, this is a sign that your gums have receded.

  • Gaps in your smile can damage your confidence and make it more difficult for you to enjoy social situations. Visible gaps will impact your appearance and can make you reluctant to smile fully.

  • If you are missing multiple teeth in a row, this can lead to the jaw bone losing density. Over time, this can change your facial structure, leaving your face less symmetrical. This is another reason your confidence could suffer.

What are the options for a missing tooth?

There are three main options to restore a missing tooth. You also have the option to do nothing and leave the gap, but this would only be recommended in limited situations.

  • A dental bridge is the most common and cost-effective way to restore your smile after an extraction. This treatment involves placing an artificial tooth in the gap that is held in place by crowns that attach to the surrounding teeth. This treatment can typically last for around 10 years before it will need to be repaired or replaced. It’s a highly effective way to restore your bite.

  • A partial denture can be used to restore a single missing tooth or multiple teeth in a row. The denture is held in place by metal clips that attach to the surrounding teeth, or it might have a base plate that you wear like a full denture. You will need to take your denture out at night to clean it.

  • A dental implant is the most modern treatment plan for a missing tooth. This uses an artificial titanium root that is placed in the jaw where it bonds with your bone. We can then attach a crown or bridge to the top to replace your tooth with something that looks, feels and functions just as a natural tooth would.

  • You can also leave a gap in your smile, and this might be possible in certain situations. If the tooth has been extracted from the back of the mouth, it might not be essential to restore this. Other examples would be if you already have overcrowding and are thinking about orthodontic treatment. The remaining teeth could be moved to close the gap.

What are the benefits of replacing missing teeth?

There are many benefits to replacing missing teeth, but the most obvious is that it helps to restore the function of your jaw. Missing teeth can impact your bite, leading to misalignment problems that lead to secondary issues.

Your teeth function best when they are properly supported by the surrounding and opposing teeth, so one missing tooth can lead to issues for the remaining teeth. It will also help to increase your confidence as you won’t be worried about a gap in your smile.

Looking for advice on your missing teeth? Book an appointment with our team to learn more about the options available to you. We’ll talk you through the options so you can choose the restoration that is right for you.

Are you ready for your dream smile?

Contact us to book your consultation

Share this article

Are you ready for your dream smile?
Contact us to book your consultation