A missing tooth rarely stays a cosmetic issue for long. It changes how you chew, how neighbouring teeth sit, and eventually, the shape of the jawbone underneath. The good news: there's more than one solid way to fix it.
A missing tooth rarely stays a cosmetic issue for long. It changes how you chew, how neighbouring teeth sit, and eventually, the shape of the jawbone underneath. The good news: there's more than one solid way to fix it.
A missing tooth affects more than appearance. Neighbouring teeth can gradually drift into the empty space, your bite can shift to compensate, chewing on that side often gets avoided, and the jawbone beneath the gap can start to shrink from lack of use. Replacing it restores both function and the structure underneath.
It’s easy to assume a missing back tooth doesn’t matter much since it’s not visible when you smile. The trouble is that the consequences aren’t cosmetic, they’re structural. Teeth either side of the gap tilt toward it over time. The tooth that used to bite against it can start to over-erupt, growing slightly longer with nothing to meet it. And the jawbone itself, which needs the pressure of chewing to stay strong, begins to shrink in that area.
None of this happens overnight, which is exactly why it’s easy to put off. But the earlier a gap is addressed, the simpler the fix tends to be, and the less likely it is that neighbouring teeth will need their own correction later because of drift that was never stopped.
Dental Implants A titanium post placed directly into the jawbone, topped with a crown that looks and functions like a natural tooth. Doesn’t rely on neighbouring teeth for support, and helps keep the jawbone stimulated. See our Dental Implants page for more.
Bridges An artificial tooth anchored to crowns placed on the healthy teeth on either side of the gap. A fixed, non-removable option that doesn’t require the surgical step implants do. See our Crowns and Bridges page for more.
Dentures A removable option for replacing one or several teeth, or an entire arch. Often the right choice when several teeth are missing or when implant surgery isn’t suitable. See our Dentures page for more.
Implant is often the most self-contained option, since it doesn't involve the neighbouring teeth.
A dental bridge is a solid, non-surgical option for replacing one missing tooth when the teeth on either side are healthy.
Dentures, or in some cases implant-supported options, are usually the better fit.
That's exactly what a consultation is for.
Dr. Mathur examines the gap, the surrounding teeth, and your jawbone, with X-rays where needed, to understand what's realistic.
You'll be walked through which of the three approaches, implant, bridge, or denture, fits your specific case, along with what each one actually involves.
Once you've chosen a direction, you'll know the number of visits involved and roughly how long the full process will take.
Each option has its own process, detailed further on its own page, carried out with the same unhurried, explained-as-we-go approach throughout.
Dr. Rajat Mathur combines clinical expertise, modern dental technology, and a patient-first approach to provide comprehensive dental care designed around your comfort, oral health, and long-term smile.
