Why do some people have teeth missing?
What sort of treatment is available?
You are the most important person in your dental treatment!
You have the important jobs of looking after your teeth well every day, and working with the dental team on your treatment.
The dental team
There are different people in the dental team who might help with your dental treatment.
General dentist
General dentist
It is recommended that everyone has a general dentist. They provide regular check ups and normal dental care. If you see your own dentist regularly he or she will be able to spot if your teeth are not growing normally.
If teeth do not grow normally, your dentist might as a specialist dentist to see you. This can be an orthodontist, children’s dentist or restorative dentist. They can give you and your dentist expert advice. This could be in a specialist dental practice or a hospital. They will talk to you about whether you need to see a specialist dental team.
In some cases, your dentist might refer you directly to a specialist dental team.
Your dentist might be happy to provide some types of dental treatment for your missing teeth. You can ask your own dentist what sort of treatment they can offer.
Specialist dental team
Specialist dental team
The specialist dental team are experts who work together to look after people with missing teeth. The team usually works in a hospital. The team can help you pick which treatment is best for you. You might not need to see everyone – this will depend on how your teeth have grown.
The dental team can: examine your teeth and help you understand more about your missing teeth; tell you about different types of treatment; help you choose the right treatment; and provide that treatment.
Children’s (Paediatric) Dentist
Children’s (Paediatric) Dentist
These are dentists who are experts in looking after children and young people. They have had extra training and are skilled in helping teeth to develop and stay healthy.
Children’s dentists can: provide preventative treatment, to keep your mouth healthy; help you to keep your baby teeth for as long as possible; use white fillings to change the shape and size of your teeth; replace your missing tooth/teeth.
Orthodontist
Orthodontist
These are dentists who are experts in braces. They have had extra training and are skilled in using lots of different types of braces to: help the mouth grow correctly and the teeth to develop well; straighten the teeth; close gaps where teeth are missing; change the size of the gap to make it the right size for a false tooth.
Restorative Dentist
Restorative Dentist
These are dentists who are experts in repairing damaged teeth and replacing missing teeth. They have had extra training, and are skilled in: providing preventative treatment, to help you keep your mouth healthy; using dentures, bridges and implants to replace missing teeth; using white fillings to change the size and shape of teeth.
Oral surgeon
Oral surgeon
These
are dentists who are experts in surgery in the mouth. They have had
extra training and are skilled in: removing extra teeth that aren't needed; uncovering teeth that have grown in the wrong place and become stuck (impacted teeth).
Dental nurse
Dental nurse
Dental nurses are key members of the dental team. They assist the dentist in the surgery with everything that is needed, so that your appointments run smoothly and safely.
Nurses may have extra qualifications that mean they can take x-rays, photographs, moulds and provide good advice about your dental health.
Dental hygienist and therapists
Dental hygienist and therapists
Dental hygienists work within the dental team to provide preventive advice. This can include oral hygiene advice, professional mouth cleaning and fluoride application, to help strengthen teeth.
Dental therapists also provide preventive advice and can provide some dental treatments, like small fillings and taking baby teeth out.