A missing tooth? Here is how we close or restore the space.
When a tooth is missing, whether it never formed or was lost, orthodontics can either close the space so no gap shows, or hold it open neatly for a replacement. Here is how a specialist plans it around your bite.
★ 5.0 from 71 Google reviews · Specialist orthodontist · Real patient results · Newmarket, Auckland
Reviewed by Dr Shaz MacAvoy, Specialist Orthodontist. Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (Orthodontics), registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
A missing tooth, brought together
This is a real Milk Orthodontics patient, shared with their permission. Spaces sat between the teeth with a missing tooth in the mix. We guided everything together into an even, healthy smile.
Spacing with a missing tooth, guided together into an even, healthy smile. A real Milk patient.
What missing teeth mean for your bite
A missing tooth, whether it never formed or was lost, leaves a space that the rest of the bite reacts to. The good news is that a specialist can plan the space so the final result looks and works naturally, either by closing it or holding it for a replacement.
Why it happens
Some adult teeth never form, most often the upper lateral incisors or second premolars. Others are lost to injury or decay, and a baby tooth that stays too long can hide a missing adult tooth beneath it.
Why it is worth planning
A space left alone lets the neighbouring teeth drift and tilt into it, which unsettles the bite and traps food. Planning early keeps the bite even and protects your best long-term options.
How we treat it
Depending on your bite we either close the space so the teeth meet naturally, or open and hold the right amount of space for an implant or bridge later, working with your dentist. Braces or aligners do the moving; a retainer holds it.
Every missing-tooth case is a little different, and the right plan depends on which tooth is missing and how your bite is set up. A free Smile Assessment tells you exactly what is going on. We treat this in children, teens and adults. If your concern is really about gaps and spacing, we cover that too.
Clear pricing, no surprises
The first step is a free Smile Assessment, in the clinic or over Zoom. A full diagnostic work-up with a written plan and exact quote is $390. Simple cosmetic treatment from $7,900, comprehensive specialist treatment from $9,900 with most cases around $10,400, all-inclusive of records, appliances, appointments, retainers and aftercare. Interest-free in-house plans work out around $60 to $76 a week, and family discounts apply for siblings.
Answered honestly
What are the options for a missing tooth?
There are two main orthodontic options. We can close the space so the remaining teeth meet naturally and no gap shows, or we can open and hold the right amount of space for a replacement such as an implant or bridge later. A specialist orthodontist advises which suits your bite.
Can braces close the gap from a missing tooth?
Yes. In many cases braces or clear aligners bring the neighbouring teeth together so the space disappears and the bite stays even, which can avoid the need for a false tooth altogether. Whether this is right depends on your bite and which tooth is missing.
What if an adult tooth never grew in?
Congenitally missing teeth, most often the upper lateral incisors or second premolars, are common. We plan early whether to close the space, reshape a neighbouring tooth to fill it, or hold space for a replacement, so the final smile looks natural and even.
Does my child need a space maintainer?
If a baby tooth is lost early, a small space maintainer can hold the gap so the adult tooth underneath has room to come through in the right place. It is a simple, common early step, and an early check tells you whether it is needed.
How much does treatment for missing teeth cost?
Simple cosmetic treatment starts from $7,900 and comprehensive specialist treatment from $9,900, all-inclusive of records, appliances, appointments, retainers and aftercare, including GST. Early space maintenance for a child can be less. You get an exact written quote after your free Smile Assessment.
Find the right plan for the space
A free 20 minute Smile Assessment, in the clinic or over Zoom. No referral needed, no obligation, just honest specialist advice on your missing tooth and whether to close the space or hold it.
See more before and after results, or explore other conditions we treat.