How to Combat Missing Teeth 

How to Combat Missing Teeth 

30/04/2025

Losing a tooth, whether through injury, decay, or gum disease, can have a significant impact on your oral health and overall confidence. While it may be tempting to ignore a missing tooth, leaving the gap untreated can lead to further complications, both cosmetic and functional.

Thankfully, there are several effective solutions available to restore your smile and maintain good oral health.

Why It’s Important to Replace Missing Teeth

Missing teeth don’t just affect the appearance of your smile. They can also disrupt the way your bite functions, cause remaining teeth to shift, and contribute to bone loss in the jaw.

Over time, this can lead to difficulty chewing, speech problems, and changes in facial structure. Addressing the issue early can prevent further dental issues and support long-term oral wellbeing.

Common Solutions for Missing Teeth

Dental Implants

Dental implants are considered one of the most durable and natural-looking options for replacing missing teeth. An implant consists of a titanium post that’s surgically inserted into the jawbone, acting as a replacement root.

A crown is then attached to restore function and aesthetics.

Advantages include…

• Long-lasting and stable
• Preserves jawbone structure
• Feels and functions like a natural tooth

Implants are suitable for replacing a single tooth or multiple teeth and can even support full dentures in some cases.

Bridges

A dental bridge is used to ‘bridge’ the gap left by a missing tooth. It involves placing crowns on the teeth adjacent to the gap, with a false tooth (or teeth) anchored between them.

Advantages include…

• Fixed in place – no need to remove
• Quicker than implant treatment
• Can restore appearance and bite function

However, bridges do require the reshaping of neighbouring teeth, which may not be ideal for everyone.

Dentures

Modern dentures are a practical solution for replacing several or all missing teeth. They can be full or partial, depending on how many teeth are missing, and are typically removable.

Advantages include…

• Cost-effective
• Non-invasive
• Can be adjusted over time

While dentures may require more maintenance than other options, they offer flexibility, especially for those who aren’t suitable candidates for implants or bridges.

If you’re dealing with missing teeth, it’s important to explore your treatment options as early as possible. Restoring your smile doesn’t just improve appearance, it also protects your oral health and supports better quality of life.

Our dentists can guide you through the most suitable solution based on your needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Discover here what treatment options are available for you to help you restore you smile and protect your oral health. Get in Touch today!