Missing teeth

There are many reasons why teeth can fall out or why you might be missing a tooth. It could be the result of an injury or some kind of trauma, or could be due to gum disease, severe tooth decay or genetic reasons.

No matter why you need to replace a missing tooth, missing teeth can alter your appearance and lead you to feeling less confident in your smile. What’s more, missing teeth can cause difficulty biting, chewing and eating, and can also cause issues with speech and the alignment and overall health of your other teeth over time.

If you have a missing tooth, it’s important to visit your dentist to gain advice and to avoid further damage.

Find a Bupa dentist

Missing teeth, especially when caused by an accident or impact to the mouth, often require emergency attention from a dentist. Most Bupa Dental Care practices offer emergency appointments and can provide urgent care. Many dentists reserve same-day appointments for emergency cases, so consider calling your local practice early in the day to secure a slot.

If you’re unable to book an emergency appointment when needed, call 111 for help and advice at any time of day or night.

If left untreated, missing teeth can cause many problems, ranging from issues with confidence and self-image to damage to the bone structure in which your remaining teeth sit.

Thankfully there are several reliable options for people missing a tooth, many of which provide a long-lasting solution that looks, feels and performs like your original tooth. Your dentist can carry out an assessment into your individual needs and help you decide which treatment for missing teeth is best for you. Not every missing tooth treatment will be right for every person, and you may need to take steps to improve your oral health before undergoing treatment.

The most common treatments for missing teeth include:

A dental implant involves a surgical procedure where an artificial tooth, made from titanium and capped with a crown made from ceramic or porcelain, is placed into the jawbone.

Dental implants, placed by an experienced dentist in a trusted practice, provide the feel and look of natural teeth. If given adequate aftercare and taken care of with a reliable oral health routine, dental implants can last for years or even decades without needing to be replaced or repaired.

Dental implants require surgery to place and typically are more costly than other treatments for missing teeth. However, due to their reliability and simplicity once placed, they are an increasingly popular option for replacing a missing tooth or teeth.

Full arches and whole mouth restorations with dental implants are also available with treatments such as smile in a day, which use full sets of dental implants to restore a smile.

Gum disease:

Periodontal (gum) disease, inflammation and infection is the most common cause of missing teeth in adults. While approximately a third of adults in the UK have some form of gum disease, serious periodontal disease can lead to missing teeth which can be avoided with a reliable and consistent oral health routine and regular dentist check-ups.

Accidents and physical trauma:

Head trauma caused by accidents or during contact sports can cause teeth to be knocked out. If you have had a dental emergency, you’ll need to see a dentist immediately to avoid further complications or pain.

Tooth decay:

Another major cause of lost teeth or a missing tooth is tooth decay caused by untreated cavities.

Medical reasons:

There are a number of genetic conditions which may result in missing teeth, and conditions such as ectodermal dysplasia can also lead to tooth loss.