Tooth removal is a procedure used to completely extract a tooth, but it’s only recommended when absolutely necessary — such as in cases of severe infection, damage, or when other treatments can’t save the tooth.
If extraction is needed, your dentist will discuss suitable replacement options to restore your smile and oral health.
Missing teeth can affect more than just your smile — they can impact your confidence, make eating and speaking more difficult, and even lead to problems with your remaining teeth. If you have one or more missing teeth, it’s important to visit a dentist. With modern dental treatments, missing teeth can be effectively replaced, restoring the appearance, function, and health of your smile for the long term.
There are several reasons why you might have missing teeth. Here are some common causes:
Injury or trauma – Accidents such as falls, sports injuries, or car crashes can result in a tooth being knocked out. If this happens, it’s important to seek emergency dental care immediately.
Gum disease – Advanced gum disease (periodontitis) can damage the supporting structures of your teeth, causing them to loosen and eventually fall out.
Dental extraction – In some cases, a tooth may be so badly damaged or infected that it can’t be saved. Your dentist may need to remove it to protect your overall oral health.
If you’re missing teeth for any reason, your dentist can recommend treatment options to restore your smile and maintain your oral health.
In some cases, replacing a missing tooth may not be necessary. However, it’s important to understand the potential risks of leaving a gap. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding and opposing teeth can shift into the empty space over time. This movement can lead to dental, gum (periodontal), and bite (occlusal) issues. Overeruption and misalignment can interfere with your bite, potentially causing jaw joint problems and increasing the risk of further tooth loss. Your dentist can help you decide whether leaving the gap is the right choice for your long-term oral health.
Dentures are a popular and affordable option for replacing missing teeth. One of their main advantages is that treatment can typically be completed within a few weeks, and they usually don’t require surgery. This makes them a convenient and cost-effective solution for many patients.
However, dentures also have some disadvantages. They may feel loose, unstable, or uncomfortable, and some people find them difficult to tolerate. Common issues include a gag reflex, changes in speech, or altered taste sensation. Dentures can also trap food and plaque more easily, which may increase the risk of gum disease if not cleaned properly.
Importantly, dentures do not help prevent bone loss in the jaw, which can occur over time after teeth are removed. Your dentist can help you decide if dentures are the right choice for your situation.
A conventional bridge involves creating crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap—these are known as abutment teeth. The artificial tooth (or teeth) is then fused between these crowns and placed over the prepared teeth.
This option requires the adjacent teeth to be reshaped (reduced in size) to fit the crowns. The bridge is then cemented into place, offering a strong and stable result.
Pros:
Conventional bridges are strong and durable—ideal for back teeth where chewing forces are greater—long-lasting with proper care, and provide excellent aesthetics when made with porcelain or ceramic.
Cons:
Conventional bridges require removal of healthy tooth structure, may fail if supporting teeth are compromised, and aren’t ideal if adjacent teeth are weak or heavily restored
Also known as a resin-bonded or adhesive bridge, a Maryland bridge replaces a missing tooth by attaching a pontic to the back of the adjacent teeth using metal or ceramic “wings.” These wings are bonded using dental cement, minimizing the need for extensive tooth preparation.
This type of bridge involves little or no alteration to the adjacent teeth, making it a more conservative option.
Pros
Maryland bridges are minimally invasive with little to no removal of tooth enamel, preserve the natural structure of adjacent teeth, offer a faster and more comfortable procedure, and are often less expensive than conventional bridges.
Cons:
Maryland bridges are less durable, especially in areas with high chewing pressure, their bonding wings can debond over time requiring re-cementation, they may not blend well aesthetically if metal wings are visible, and they are not suitable for patients with a deep bite or heavy grinding habits.
A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as an artificial tooth root. It is surgically placed into the jawbone where a tooth is missing. Over time, the implant bonds with the surrounding bone in a process called osseointegration, creating a strong and stable foundation. Once the area has healed, a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture is attached to the implant to restore both function and appearance.
Dental implants are considered a long-term solution and are designed to look, feel, and function like natural teeth. They help maintain jawbone health, preserve facial structure, and allow you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
Pros of Dental Implants
Dental implants are long-lasting and durable with proper care, function and feel like natural teeth, help prevent bone loss and maintain facial structure, do not affect or rely on neighbouring teeth, and are easy to clean and maintain.
Cons of Dental Implants
Dental implants have a higher initial cost compared to other options, require surgery and a healing period, may not be suitable for everyone depending on bone quality and health conditions, and often involve a treatment process that can take several months.
