Losing a tooth is more common than people think, and it is fixable. Here are your options, what each tends to cost, and what happens if you leave the gap.
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Which one suits you depends on where the gap is, how healthy the neighbouring teeth and the bone are, and your budget. A written, itemised estimate comes before any treatment starts.
In most cases yes, and sooner is easier than later. A gap is not only cosmetic:
What causes teeth to go missing:
Treatment depends on the stage. We start every gum case with a proper assessment: pocket depth measurements at each tooth and, where needed, x-rays to check bone levels.
The closest thing to a natural tooth. A small titanium post acts as the root, with a crown on top, and it stands on its own without involving the neighbouring teeth. It is the longest-lasting option and the one that helps preserve the jawbone. Best where the bone and gum are healthy.
For an implant, the planning and the final crown are Dr Rostkier’s work, and the implant itself is placed by a specialist periodontist who does these every day — specialist precision at the placement stage and Dr Rostkier’s restorative eye for how the final tooth looks and bites.
A fixed replacement that bridges the gap by placing crowns on the healthy teeth either side to carry the new tooth. Quicker than an implant and fixed in place, though it does involve preparing the neighbouring teeth. See crowns and bridges.
A removable replacement, and usually the most affordable, especially when several teeth are missing. Modern dentures are far more comfortable and natural-looking than their reputation suggests, and they can be a good interim step while you decide on something fixed.
The options range from a full denture to an implant-retained denture or bridge that clips onto a small number of implants for a far steadier result. Rather than defaulting to a single template system, the plan is designed around your mouth.
Where the gap sits changes how it feels and what tends to suit. A missing front tooth is mostly about confidence, and it is very fixable: an implant or bridge with shade-matched, tooth-coloured materials aims for a result no one else can pick. A missing back tooth is easy to ignore because it does not show, but it carries the chewing load and its loss is where bite changes and bone shrinkage tend to start, so it is still worth addressing.
Dr Rostkier starts by working out what actually suits your situation: where the gap is, the health of the bone and neighbouring teeth, how many teeth are missing, and your budget. There is no single default option. Cost is often the deciding factor, so it is on the table early. HICAPS handles on-the-spot health fund claims, payment plans are available, and you get a written estimate before anything begins. With 25+ years restoring smiles in Balwyn and unhurried appointments, there is time to weigh the options properly, without pressure.
A partial denture is usually the most affordable, and it can be a good interim step. A bridge costs more but is fixed in place. Implants cost the most up front but last the longest, so they often work out well over the long run.
Usually yes, because a gap tends to cause problems over time: drifting teeth, bone loss, and harder cleaning around the space. The main exception is a missing back wisdom tooth, which often needs nothing. If you are unsure, a quick check will tell you.
Yes. A dental bridge (fixed) or a denture (removable) both replace a missing tooth without an implant. Which one suits you depends on the gap and the health of the neighbouring teeth.
With good care, a denture lasts several years, a bridge often ten years or more, and an implant can last decades. How well you clean around them, and habits like grinding, make a real difference.
A single implant in Melbourne typically ranges from about $3,000 to $7,000, depending on whether a bone graft is needed. You receive a written, itemised estimate before treatment begins.
When one or more teeth never developed in the first place, that is called hypodontia, and it is surprisingly common. Teeth can also be lost later to decay, gum disease, or a knock.
Yes. Both implants and bridges use shade-matched, tooth-coloured materials, and with a front tooth the goal is a replacement no one else can pick.
Good daily home care plus a regular professional clean prevents gum disease in most people. When risk factors stack up, the rules get stricter.
A consultation is the fastest way to see what your gap actually needs and what each option would cost in your case. No pressure, just a clear picture of your choices.
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