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SYMPTOM · MISSING TOOTH

I have lost a tooth or have a gap

What happens if I leave the gap from a lost tooth as it is?

The short answer

What happens if I leave the gap from a lost tooth as it is?

If the gap from a single lost tooth is left empty for a long time, the neighboring teeth tilt toward it, the opposing tooth it used to bite against moves down, and the bone in the gap gradually shrinks. These changes begin within 1–2 years and later cause a lack of space or the need for a bone graft when you have an implant or prosthesis. Which option (implants, bridges, dentures) suits you depends on your remaining teeth and bone, so the right order is to check the condition first before choosing the method.

When you have lost a tooth or have a gap, what are the common causes?

  1. 01

    Loss from periodontitis

    This is the most common cause of adult tooth loss. If the gums around the remaining teeth are not managed as well, the next tooth will be lost.

  2. 02

    Deep cavity · root fracture Glossary (Korean) →

    These are cases where the tooth was extracted because it was hard to keep. Whether a bone-preserving procedure was done at the time of extraction affects the later plan.

  3. 03

    Trauma

    When a front tooth is knocked out, the bone and the shape of the gum are damaged as well, so a plan for aesthetic recovery is needed.

  4. 04

    Congenitally missing teeth

    These are sites where the permanent tooth was never there. They are found at a young age, and orthodontics and implants are considered together.

Come in right away, without putting it off, if

  • The tooth next to the gap has started to tilt, or food keeps getting stuck
  • The opposing tooth has moved down and looks longer
  • The gum at the gap has visibly sunk
  • The extraction was not long ago — within 3–6 months is favorable for preserving bone

Call us during opening hours 02-877-2867 · If swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow, go to an emergency room first.

How does Joy Dental Clinic Bongcheon check it?

  1. 1

    We first check the gums and any cavities in the remaining teeth. A plan to protect the remaining teeth comes before filling a single gap.

  2. 2

    3D CT shows the width and height of the bone at the gap and the position of the nerve canal and maxillary sinus, to judge whether an implant is possible and whether a bone graft is needed.

  3. 3

    An intraoral scanner records the tooth arrangement to check for tilting of neighboring teeth, over-eruption of the opposing tooth and lack of space.

  4. 4

    We compare the advantages and disadvantages of implants, bridges and dentures under your conditions, and explain how the cost is made up and how long it takes.

How our equipment works is explained on the equipment page.

Which treatment does it lead to?

What can I do at home before my appointment?

  • Brush the teeth next to the gap and the opposing tooth especially carefully. Food easily gets stuck around tilted teeth, making cavities and gum disease more likely.
  • A habit of chewing on only one side puts a burden on the jaw joint and the teeth on the other side.
  • Right after an extraction, making a plan within 3–6 months is favorable for preserving bone.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Q1. It is just one molar that is missing. Do I really need to replace it?

    A single last molar (second molar) is sometimes left and monitored depending on the situation. The molar in front of it is the center of chewing force, so if that gap is left empty, tilting of the neighboring teeth and over-eruption of the opposing tooth progress, and we tend to recommend restoring it. After diagnosis, we explain based on that tooth’s role.

  2. Q2. Which is better, an implant or a bridge?

    If the neighboring teeth are healthy, an implant, which does not require drilling them, is favorable; if the neighboring teeth already need crowns or bone is very insufficient, a bridge may be reasonable. Rather than one being "better," we choose the one that fits the conditions at this site.

  3. Q3. It has been a long time since I lost the tooth. Can I still have an implant?

    Even if the bone has shrunk, it is often possible by building it up with a bone graft. However, if the space has narrowed or the opposing tooth has moved down, adjustment may be needed first, so we check with CT and scans.

References

  1. American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Implants
  2. Howe MS, Keys W, Richards D. Long-term (10-year) dental implant survival: A systematic review and sensitivity meta-analysis. Journal of Dentistry. 2019;84:9-21.
  3. Buser D, Sennerby L, De Bruyn H. Modern implant dentistry based on osseointegration: 50 years of progress, current trends and open questions. Periodontology 2000. 2017;73(1):7-21.

※ This page is for general information and does not replace a diagnosis. Causes and treatment differ from person to person, and treatment can have side effects. Last reviewed 2026-09-11 · Director Jeong Jinwoo (board-certified prosthodontist and specialist in integrated dentistry)

Related treatments

Other symptoms

My teeth are sensitiveMy tooth throbs and hurtsIt hurts when I chewMy gums are bleedingMy gums are swollenMy tooth is looseMy denture is loose or uncomfortableMy front tooth is chipped or discoloredMy jaw clicks or I cannot open my mouth wellMy wisdom tooth hurts All symptom guides

RESERVATION

Start by finding the cause

The same symptom can have different causes. After diagnosis, we explain only the treatment that is needed. Contact us through Naver Booking or by phone.

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