Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Missing lateral incisor

54 replies

starlight128 · 05/06/2025 07:20

My DD(11) had an orthodontist appointment yesterday as she is missing a lateral incisor. It sounds like the options are going to be:
Remove the other lateral incisor on the other side and have braces to close the gaps or have a false tooth put in. Has anyone had a similar choice and which did you go for? Really not sure how the canines would look next to the front incisors. Thanks

OP posts:
Christwosheds · 05/06/2025 11:26

I didn’t have a missing tooth but I had a gap at the bottom the size of a missing tooth, due to mismanagement of overcrowding when I was a child. I have a sticky bridge, it’s not ideal but I don’t have enough bone for an implant apparently. In your place I can see the dilemma. They would shape the teeth so that the canine isn’t obvious, but probably an implant is a better option. The only concern there is that they don’t always last forever and so she might need a sticky bridge at some point. Have they done computer modelling so that you can see how the options might look ?

acquiescence · 05/06/2025 11:33

I’m had the same situation as a teenager. I had a brace to widen the gap, then had a temporary Maryland bridge, then a proper bridge. The tooth holding the bridge has recently failed and I have a gap again and am awaiting it sorting! It lasted for over 20 years and was a good option for me. If she is likely to be self conscious, then a canine next to a front incisor may look a little odd so.

I will now see if I can get an implant (I am eligible on the NHS due to having missing teeth that never grew, unsure whether I have enough bone mass), and for a temporary measure I will have a partial denture.

Your daughter may be eligible for a dental hospital referral and an implant, possibly when she is a little older.

itsnotalwaysthateasy · 05/06/2025 13:03

I had my incisors out because my mouth was too small for all my teeth. No-one has ever noticed, apart from my Dentist.
I would have the other removed, otherwise your DD will have issues with the false tooth over time.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Children's health Dental health General health
Original poster
starlight128 · 05/06/2025 17:05

Christwosheds · 05/06/2025 11:26

I didn’t have a missing tooth but I had a gap at the bottom the size of a missing tooth, due to mismanagement of overcrowding when I was a child. I have a sticky bridge, it’s not ideal but I don’t have enough bone for an implant apparently. In your place I can see the dilemma. They would shape the teeth so that the canine isn’t obvious, but probably an implant is a better option. The only concern there is that they don’t always last forever and so she might need a sticky bridge at some point. Have they done computer modelling so that you can see how the options might look ?

They didn’t mention anything about computer modelling, but I will definitely ask at the next appointment, thank you.

Does the sticky bridge mean you need to be careful what you eat? I’m guessing she may be able to have an implant when she’s an adult and then would need to have it replacing every decade or so (if that’s even possible) I didn’t ask many questions when I was there but had a lot when I had time to think about it.

OP posts:
Original poster
starlight128 · 05/06/2025 17:09

acquiescence · 05/06/2025 11:33

I’m had the same situation as a teenager. I had a brace to widen the gap, then had a temporary Maryland bridge, then a proper bridge. The tooth holding the bridge has recently failed and I have a gap again and am awaiting it sorting! It lasted for over 20 years and was a good option for me. If she is likely to be self conscious, then a canine next to a front incisor may look a little odd so.

I will now see if I can get an implant (I am eligible on the NHS due to having missing teeth that never grew, unsure whether I have enough bone mass), and for a temporary measure I will have a partial denture.

Your daughter may be eligible for a dental hospital referral and an implant, possibly when she is a little older.

Twenty years sounds a good timescale, I will look into this too. Does having a bridge damage the tooth next to it do you know? Yes, she is very self conscious of her teeth unfortunately.

OP posts:
Original poster
starlight128 · 05/06/2025 17:16

itsnotalwaysthateasy · 05/06/2025 13:03

I had my incisors out because my mouth was too small for all my teeth. No-one has ever noticed, apart from my Dentist.
I would have the other removed, otherwise your DD will have issues with the false tooth over time.

That’s really good to know no one has noticed! Did they reshape them to look like lateral incisors? My main concerns with this option are the canines are a lot thicker and also could be a different shade. I was also a bit worried about having to move the rest of the teeth to close the gaps, if this could cause any damage to the others (Although I don’t know anything about teeth so that may not even be an issue) Thanks

OP posts:
acquiescence · 05/06/2025 17:25

starlight128 · 05/06/2025 17:09

Twenty years sounds a good timescale, I will look into this too. Does having a bridge damage the tooth next to it do you know? Yes, she is very self conscious of her teeth unfortunately.

Show quote history

Yes, the tooth that it was bridged to needed filing down to support it, and this tooth has now failed after root canal issues and had to come out. The advice may well be different now as I’m guessing the best practice changes all the time. Hope it works out ok for your daughter.

Original poster
starlight128 · 05/06/2025 20:20

Thanks for your help

OP posts:
Watto1 · 05/06/2025 20:27

Both of my dc are missing both lateral incisors (inherited from dh - all his fault!). We opted for closing the gap with braces followed by reshaping the canine teeth. Dd had the braces off and the reshaping done a couple of months ago. Her teeth look lovely now. Ds has only just had his braces put on so time will tell with him.

Fedupwiththecuts · 05/06/2025 20:30

I had this as a child. They were going to leave a gap and use a bridge. One appointment the orthodontist decided he'd try to close the gap.instead
Very painful. But nothing I could do as he didn't tell.me.until my mum rang to say I was in lots of pain.
Tooth was shaped and no-one has ever noticed. (Apart from the dentist when they count your teeth.)

Original poster
starlight128 · 05/06/2025 21:21

Watto1 · 05/06/2025 20:27

Both of my dc are missing both lateral incisors (inherited from dh - all his fault!). We opted for closing the gap with braces followed by reshaping the canine teeth. Dd had the braces off and the reshaping done a couple of months ago. Her teeth look lovely now. Ds has only just had his braces put on so time will tell with him.

Thank you so much. When they reshape the canine do they basically just shave the pointy bit off the bottom, or do they do anything else? I’m really struggling to visualise how they make it look like a lateral incisor when they are such chunky/not flat teeth. Glad it all worked out for your Dd and fingers crossed for your Ds

OP posts:
Original poster
starlight128 · 05/06/2025 21:27

Fedupwiththecuts · 05/06/2025 20:30

I had this as a child. They were going to leave a gap and use a bridge. One appointment the orthodontist decided he'd try to close the gap.instead
Very painful. But nothing I could do as he didn't tell.me.until my mum rang to say I was in lots of pain.
Tooth was shaped and no-one has ever noticed. (Apart from the dentist when they count your teeth.)

Thank you. Did you keep the lateral incisor on the other side or did they remove it to make it symmetrical? It seems a shame to take out the other one when there’s nothing wrong with it, but then Im guessing they may have to or the bite would be wrong. Was the pain when they were tightening the braces?
I have so many questions for our next appointment!

OP posts:
Littlefish · 05/06/2025 21:31

I have both missing incisors. 45 years ago I had braces to close up the gaps. My canine were never hugely pointy, and over time, I must have ground my teeth together which has blunted them further. You really can’t tell now that I don’t have incisors unless you look carefully.

Missing lateral incisor
Buxusmortus · 05/06/2025 21:44

I was missing one lateral incisor. Bearing in mind this was 50 years ago, the treatment at a similar age to your daughter was to remove the lateral incisor on the other side and have a fixed brace to close the gap. A few years later I then had composite filler added to the canines to make them less pointed but that became very discoloured and I was self-conscious of it as a teenager.

In my early 20s I had both canines crowned, both crowns lasted for over 30 years until one needed to be replaced due to some gum recession and shortly afterwards the other tooth completely snapped off and I then had it extracted and an implant put in which was definitely worth the couple of thousand it cost.

One of my children, now in their 30s, had the same missing lateral incisor and again the treatment was to remove the other and close the gap with braces at about the age of 11 or 12. Their canines weren't very pointed but at about 15 or 16 they had the canines shaped with some composite material added, due to great improvements in composite they have had to have it replaced just once in 20 years and it hasn't stained at all. To my mind that's much better than having 2 healthy teeth crowned as I did.

Fedupwiththecuts · 05/06/2025 21:51

starlight128 · 05/06/2025 21:27

Thank you. Did you keep the lateral incisor on the other side or did they remove it to make it symmetrical? It seems a shame to take out the other one when there’s nothing wrong with it, but then Im guessing they may have to or the bite would be wrong. Was the pain when they were tightening the braces?
I have so many questions for our next appointment!

Show quote history

I had a peg tooth on the other side that they built up to look like the regular tooth. I really notice people's teeth so am critical of mine but honestly think they look good.
The pain was because the gap was the size of a tooth and the braces were tightened to close it. This meant the teeth were being dragged together. I think if it had been explained, done slower or if I'd been given painkillers before the process then continued it would have been better.

Original poster
starlight128 · 05/06/2025 21:55

Littlefish · 05/06/2025 21:31

I have both missing incisors. 45 years ago I had braces to close up the gaps. My canine were never hugely pointy, and over time, I must have ground my teeth together which has blunted them further. You really can’t tell now that I don’t have incisors unless you look carefully.

Wow they look amazing, thank you for sharing!
Can you tell if you open your mouth and look upwards? (With them being thicker) Or am I overthinking this too much now, which I believe I could be ha

OP posts:
ShesTheAlbatross · 05/06/2025 21:58

Has her baby tooth fallen out there? Sorry if I’ve missed that info.

My DH is missing that tooth, but the baby tooth is still there. They think it will probably have to come out at some point because it’s not designed to last, but he’s in his early 30s and has had no issues with it at all.

Littlefish · 05/06/2025 22:00

starlight128 · 05/06/2025 21:55

Wow they look amazing, thank you for sharing!
Can you tell if you open your mouth and look upwards? (With them being thicker) Or am I overthinking this too much now, which I believe I could be ha

Show quote history

My husband just asked me what the hell I was doing - I was trying to tip my head back and take a photo to see the thickness of my teeth! 🤣

I really can’t imagine a scenario when people would be able to see inside my mouth at that sort of angle!

I think you’re over thinking it!

Missing incisors can be a genetic issue. My dad and aunt both have missing incisors. My daughter has one tooth missing in her bottom front teeth.

Is there anyone else in your family with the same issue?

Original poster
starlight128 · 05/06/2025 22:05

Buxusmortus · 05/06/2025 21:44

I was missing one lateral incisor. Bearing in mind this was 50 years ago, the treatment at a similar age to your daughter was to remove the lateral incisor on the other side and have a fixed brace to close the gap. A few years later I then had composite filler added to the canines to make them less pointed but that became very discoloured and I was self-conscious of it as a teenager.

In my early 20s I had both canines crowned, both crowns lasted for over 30 years until one needed to be replaced due to some gum recession and shortly afterwards the other tooth completely snapped off and I then had it extracted and an implant put in which was definitely worth the couple of thousand it cost.

One of my children, now in their 30s, had the same missing lateral incisor and again the treatment was to remove the other and close the gap with braces at about the age of 11 or 12. Their canines weren't very pointed but at about 15 or 16 they had the canines shaped with some composite material added, due to great improvements in composite they have had to have it replaced just once in 20 years and it hasn't stained at all. To my mind that's much better than having 2 healthy teeth crowned as I did.

Thank you so much, that’s really valuable information! I think the removal and closing the gap option is going to be the better one out of the two. Glad to know they have done it this way for a long time.

OP posts:
Original poster
starlight128 · 05/06/2025 22:12

@LittlefishYes, I think you’re right! Ha

Hmm I’m not sure, I’m will ask my mum and MIL tomorrow and find out if anyone’s had a similar issue.

OP posts:
Original poster
starlight128 · 05/06/2025 22:18

ShesTheAlbatross · 05/06/2025 21:58

Has her baby tooth fallen out there? Sorry if I’ve missed that info.

My DH is missing that tooth, but the baby tooth is still there. They think it will probably have to come out at some point because it’s not designed to last, but he’s in his early 30s and has had no issues with it at all.

There’s no baby tooth there. I had a friend once who had a baby pre-molar until his mid thirties, I didn’t even know this was possible!

OP posts:
RichardMarxisinnocent · 05/06/2025 22:33

starlight128 · 05/06/2025 22:18

There’s no baby tooth there. I had a friend once who had a baby pre-molar until his mid thirties, I didn’t even know this was possible!

Show quote history

I'm in my early fifties and still have a baby canine tooth. The adult tooth which should have replaced it is next to it instead.

Littlefish · 05/06/2025 22:45

starlight128 · 05/06/2025 22:18

There’s no baby tooth there. I had a friend once who had a baby pre-molar until his mid thirties, I didn’t even know this was possible!

Show quote history

My dh still has a couple of his baby teeth (aged 57). His dad died on his late 70s, still with several baby teeth!

KateK1974 · 06/06/2025 09:37

I have 2 missing incisors, had composite attached and shaped to canines to make them less pointy when I was 16. (I didn’t need to close any gaps as the canines had grown close to my 2 front teeth.)
One composite lasted 5 years and the other still going strong 30 years later 😊 The one that broke, I had a crown fitted to, I wish I had pushed to see another dentist, to see if they could do another composite.
My sister has a bridge for her missing incisors, replaced a number of times but she’s happy with it overall.

(Hereditary) My teenage daughter, currently has braces to create a larger gap for a bridge/plate or implant at a later date. Her other option was to remove 2 bottom teeth, then close top and bottom gaps and composite the canines (without removing bottom teeth they said her teeth wouldn’t align and she’d struggle for bite). She wasn’t keen on having bottom teeth removed and tbh I’ve never heard this suggested to anyone else.

Stepfordian · 06/06/2025 10:52

I have one missing lateral incisor, when I was a child in the 90s the dentist point blank refused to send me to an orthodontist and kept saying ‘it may come through at some point’ I have just gone through life with one, and as a result my two front teeth are slightly off centre, I eventually got an x ray when I was about 35 to confirm it wasn’t impacted. No one has ever noticed to my knowledge, but I can see it in photos and I am angry that the dentist fobbed me off. I’m currently seeing the dentist to get braces to fix it but I have to decide whether to make a gap and have an implant or just move the two front teeth and have some bonding to the teeth either side to even them up, if I have the existing lateral incisor removed I’d have to have two bottom teeth removed too and I’m not keen to remove any teeth.