Missing Teeth - Your Options
Transform your missing teeth with dental implants - contact us for options, pricing and pay monthly finance.
There are many types of dental treatments that are specifically designed to fill the gaps left by missing teeth. Learn about the different procedures and why replacing teeth is important for your oral health.
Common causes of tooth loss
What causes tooth loss? There are multiple contributing factors to be aware of:
Cause | Explanation |
|---|---|
Tooth decay | This happens when the acids in your mouth wear down the enamel, leading to a small hole in the tooth. If left untreated, the decay can become so bad, that the only solution is to remove it. |
Gum disease has the ability to destroy the bone and tissue supporting the teeth. When there isn’t enough material for the teeth to anchor onto, they may fall out. | |
Injury | Injury to the head, face and neck often results in tooth loss and other types of dental trauma. |
Poor oral health | Regular brushing and flossing stops the formation of plaque and, eventually, tartar. These substances lead to decay and eventual tooth loss (in severe cases). |
As mentioned earlier, gums play an essential role in keeping your teeth in place. One of the side effects of ageing is gum recession, an event that contributes to bone loss. | |
Diet | Consuming a lot of sugary or acidic food and drinks weakens the enamel and produces cavities, two significant causes of tooth loss. |
Smoking | Smoking, as well as vaping, has many unpleasant consequences for your oral health, one of them being tooth loss. |
Disadvantages of missing teeth
Many assume that missing teeth will have no impact on their day-to-day life. However, this is not the case. Large gaps in the mouth lead to many oral health issues, and even a single missing tooth can have a huge impact.
- Tooth migration: When your teeth gradually move away from their original position. This shift affects the way your bottom and top jaws meet, resulting in an irregular bite and problems like chipped teeth.
- Bone loss: A tooth stimulates the jawbone. If missing, the jawbone begins to deteriorate. Many patients then report seeing their facial features change, for example, their lips collapse inwards. Bone loss also makes future dental treatments much trickier to carry out, such as dental implants.
- Smile misalignment: A side effect of migration, your teeth can begin to twist and turn. Another negative? Misaligned teeth are at a heightened risk of wear and tear as they are not meeting properly when biting down.
- Chewing and biting problems: Teeth break down your food while you chew to help you absorb as many proteins, vitamins and nutrients as possible. This process is hindered by large gaps in the mouth.
- Treatment eligibility: Missing teeth, and the subsequent issues they cause, has the ability to delay and even impact your eligibility for certain dental procedures, including clear aligners.
Your options
If you want to fill the gaps left behind by missing teeth, there are multiple treatment options available at Yorkshire Dental Suite. Your initial consultation will help to determine which procedure is the most suitable for you.
Dental implants
This irreversible treatment is a type of teeth replacement that eliminates pain caused by biting and chewing, while simultaneously restoring confidence in your smile. The process includes surgically inserting an implant post into your jawbone (in the space created by the missing tooth) followed by an abutment and porcelain crown. Dental implants are extremely long-lasting. We craft each of our implants from grade 5 titanium, the gold standard in dentistry, to provide up to 20 years of wear. The porcelain crown used to replace your tooth is also very durable and looks ultra-aesthetic in the mouth.
- Treatment lifespan: Up to 20 years
- Cost: £2,800 - £49,995
Dental bridges
A dental bridge is used when multiple adjacent teeth need replacing. The appliance is attached to the healthy adjacent teeth on one or both sides of the gap, or fixed in place with dental implants. If the bridge is being anchored to your existing teeth, dentists will often use some sort of clasp or wing to secure the device. Implant-retained bridges are a popular option, thanks to their longevity, natural appearance and comfortable feel. Just one implant can hold up to one two fake teeth, whereas a full arch holds up to fourteen (also known as full mouth dental implants).
- Treatment lifespan: 5 - 20 years
- Cost: £1,200 - £49,995
Dentures
Another missing teeth solution is a denture. Commonly referred to as false teeth, these orthodontic devices fit over your gums or clip onto the remaining teeth you have to stay in place. Patients may choose between a removable denture or a fixed denture (which uses dental implants to permanently attach the teeth to your jaw). Both dental bridges and dentures are available on the NHS for £326.70. Falling under the Band 3 category, the treatments will only be provided if it is deemed clinically necessary. Dental implants are also available on the NHS, but eligibility is much rarer.
- Treatment lifespan: 7 - 20 years
- Cost: £400 - £49,995
Benefits of missing teeth
Missing teeth actually offer some benefits, but these are quite limited. Wisdom teeth, for example, are completely redundant. These painful molars push into the neighbouring teeth as they grow, causing your smile to become more crowded and crooked, while also damaging the tooth it is pushing into. Therefore, it is better to have the molar removed. A missing tooth may be very beneficial if you need fixed braces. Many dentists will suggest extracting a tooth in order to give the existing teeth more space in the mouth to move. This is a common solution for patients with severe crowding. Conclusion: Replacing missing teeth helps to restore your smile and prevent oral health issues such as bone loss. Yorkshire Dental Suite offers a variety of teeth replacement procedures. We have seven spa-like clinics currently open across the UK (with two more opening in 2025 alone) and a variety of finance options available, making your smile transformation more accessible than ever. Book an appointment today.