Replacing missing teeth adelaide: from wisdom teeth to dental implants
- Dr Andrew Chan
- Nov 15
- 4 min read
Common Reasons for Having Teeth Extracted – And Do All Missing Teeth Need to Be Replaced?
Tooth extraction is one of the most common dental procedures, and there are many reasons why a tooth may need to be removed. Decay, infection, gum disease, fractures, orthodontic reasons, impaction, or simply lack of space are among the most frequent causes.
But once a tooth is removed, a common question follows:
Do all extracted teeth need to be replaced?
The short answer: No — many do not. Most wisdom teeth never need replacing, and even many posterior teeth can be removed without causing noticeable long-term problems.
Understanding when a missing tooth actually affects your appearance or chewing can help you make the right decision for your mouth.
Why Patients Replace Missing Teeth
There are two main reasons someone may want to replace a missing tooth:
Aesthetics
Function (chewing efficiency and comfort)
Not all missing teeth cause problems in either of these areas — but some definitely do.
Aesthetics: When a Missing Tooth Affects Your Smile
A missing tooth is not always a cosmetic issue. For example, a missing back tooth (a molar) is often completely invisible during casual talking, smiling, or laughing. But a missing tooth in the front of the mouth can cause a severe cosmetic defect that most patients will not tolerate.
In general, the more forward (anterior) the tooth, the greater the cosmetic impact.
Cosmetic visibility by tooth position
Wisdom teeth (8s) – never a cosmetic concern
Second molars (7s) – never visible, no cosmetic impact
First molars (6s) – occasionally slightly visible, but usually no cosmetic issue
Premolars (5s) – may be noticeable in casual conversation for many people
Premolars (4s) – often obvious when smiling or speaking
Canines and incisors (3s, 2s, 1s) – always highly visible; missing these is cosmetically unacceptable for most patients
If a patient is not bothered by how a missing tooth looks, they may not need to replace it. But if the gap affects confidence or smile appearance, replacement is worth considering.
Function: When a Missing Tooth Affects Chewing
Just like aesthetics, the functional impact of losing a tooth varies from person to person.
Many people live comfortably with one or two missing back teeth and experience no meaningful change in chewing ability.
General principles
Missing wisdom teeth (8s) or second molars (7s) rarely affects chewing.
Many patients still chew well even if their first molars (6s) are missing.
Research shows that five functional teeth per quadrant is usually enough for adequate chewing capacity.(This includes premolars and molars — the teeth that do the “heavy lifting” during chewing.)
Interestingly, sometimes the location of a single gap is more annoying than the total number of missing teeth.For example, a patient missing only their premolar (5), but still having the 6, 7, and 8, may find the gap irritating when food catches in the space — whereas another person missing three molars may feel no annoyance at all.
Everyone is different, and personal experience matters more than any rule.
Key Takeaway
You should consider replacing a missing tooth only if:
You are unhappy with the appearance, or
You notice a change in chewing or find the gap annoying.
Many patients do perfectly well with one or more missing teeth. But if a gap bothers you — aesthetically or functionally — modern dentistry offers excellent solutions.
Options for Replacing MISSING Teeth - Dentures to Dental Implants
There are five main approaches to replacing missing teeth:
1. Do Nothing
Often appropriate for wisdom teeth, posterior gaps, or patients who simply aren’t bothered aesthetically or functionally.
2. Dentures
Removable
Full dentures replace all missing teeth in a jaw
implant supported dentures use 2 - 5 dental implants to stabalize a full denture
Partial dentures replace just a few missing teeth in a jaw
Cost-effective
A good temporary or long-term solution depending on the case
3. Bridges
Fixed (glued in place)
Replace one or more teeth
Use the neighbouring teeth for support. If a neighbouring tooth is compromised, the entire bridge is compromised.
Bridges are rarely recommended in modern dentistry, as they require the neighbouring teeth to be 'shaved' down quite a lot, which is a significant biological cost to the neighbouring teeth
4. Dental Implants
Dental implants are the most modern and long-lasting replacement option. Variations include:
Immediate implants – placed at the same appointment as the extraction
Delayed implants – placed once the site has healed
Implant bridges – used when multiple adjacent teeth are missing
All-On-4 / All-On-X implant bridges – full-arch fixed implant bridges for patients missing all or most teeth
5. Orthodontic Treatment
In selected cases, orthodontics can:
Close a gap
Reposition teeth to improve function
Reduce or eliminate the need for a prosthetic tooth
This is most commonly used in younger patients or when spacing is already part of the orthodontic treatment plan.
Final Thoughts
Not every missing tooth needs to be replaced — and for many patients, doing nothing is the perfectly appropriate choice. But if a gap affects your smile, confidence, or chewing, there are excellent options to restore your teeth.
If you’re unsure whether you need to replace a missing tooth, book a consultation. We can assess the aesthetic and functional impact and discuss which (if any) replacement option would be best for you.
FAQs
Do all missing teeth need to be replaced?
No. Many missing molars and all wisdom teeth do not require replacement unless they affect your appearance or chewing.
What happens if I don’t replace a missing tooth?
For many people, nothing significant happens. In some cases, neighbouring teeth may drift or food may collect in the gap.
Are dental implants the best option?
Implants are often the most durable and natural-feeling option, but not every patient needs one.
Is it OK to leave a gap after tooth extraction?
Yes, if it does not affect your smile, comfort, or chewing ability. Your dentist can help assess this.
How long can I wait to replace a missing tooth?
Most patients can wait months or even years, depending on bone levels and neighbouring teeth. Implant timing varies case by case.
Want to know more?
Book a consultation at our Adelaide clinic, Adelaide Tooth Removals & Dental Implants to learn about your options to replace a missing tooth or missing teeth.
Call us at 08 8164 5546 or book online to get started.
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