It’s NOT uncommon to be missing teeth. If a tooth has been missing since birth, it’s likely genetics plays a role and someone else in your family is missing a tooth as well. So what do you do if you’re missing a tooth? Do you always replace it?

Here comes the politician’s answer, “it depends”. One option may be to have the baby tooth serve as a replacement.  This requires the integrity of the baby tooth to remain strong. A second option is for the orthodontist to create the ideal space so a replacement can be made. The terms often used for replacement of missing teeth are ‘implants’ or ‘bridges’. A third option is to substitute a neighboring tooth in place of the missing one. This requires careful planning by the orthodontist and sometimes even reshaping of the replacement tooth at the end of treatment for the best esthetic finish. A fourth option is to leave space where the missing tooth once was. If you’re not sure if you’re ready to make the decision, you can leave space and with good retainer wear, you’ll have the option to choose in the future.

There’s a TON of factors that go into making the right decision for YOU. The process requires careful planning by your orthodontist and collaboration with your dentist. This is why we recommend early screening for orthodontics by age 7 for children. Schedule your FREE consultation with one of our orthodontic specialists by calling (734) 392-8288 or emailing us at [email protected]! We even offer virtual consultations now if you prefer the comfort of your own home!