I Have One Tooth Missing. What Are My Options?

Losing one tooth can feel like a small problem at first. After all, it is only one tooth.

But anyone who has actually lost a tooth knows it can quickly become much more than that. You may notice food getting trapped. You may start chewing on the other side. You may feel self-conscious when you smile, laugh, or talk. You may even find yourself doing that awkward closed-mouth smile in photographs, the one where you look like you are trying to hide a secret or hold in a sneeze.

At The Swissedent Denture Clinic in London, we hear this question all the time: "I have one tooth missing. What are my options?"

It is one of the most common questions patients ask us, and the honest answer is that there is no single perfect option for everyone. The right choice depends on your mouth, your remaining natural teeth, your gums, your bite, your expectations, your budget, and what is clinically suitable after an examination.

When a patient still has natural teeth present, we require a referral from their dentist before making a denture. This is important because your dentist needs to assess your oral health, remaining teeth, gums, and suitability before treatment is planned. A missing tooth is not just a gap. It is part of a bigger dental picture.

For many patients, the three removable denture options are usually:
• Acrylic denture
• Flexible denture
• Chrome denture

Each one has its place. Each one has advantages. Each one has limitations. The best option is the one that suits your mouth, your lifestyle, and your clinical needs.

Why Replacing One Missing Tooth Matters
Some people leave a single missing tooth untreated for years. Sometimes that works for them. Other times, it can slowly create problems.

When one tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth may start to move or tilt into the space. The opposing tooth may also begin to over-erupt, which means it moves further into the gap because there is no tooth meeting it when you bite.

This does not happen overnight, but over time, changes in your bite can affect comfort, chewing, appearance, and future treatment options.
Replacing one missing tooth can help with:
• Improving your smile
• Supporting chewing function
• Helping speech in some cases
• Reducing food trapping
• Maintaining appearance
• Supporting confidence
• Helping prevent unwanted movement of nearby teeth

Of course, every patient is different. That is why proper assessment is so important.

Option One: Acrylic Denture
An acrylic denture is one of the most traditional ways to replace a missing tooth. It is made from a rigid acrylic material and can be used to replace one or more missing teeth. Acrylic dentures are commonly used because they are cost-effective, repairable, and familiar to many patients.

For a single missing tooth, an acrylic denture may be a suitable option depending on the position of the gap, the available space, and how it will sit in the mouth.

The main advantages of acrylic dentures include:
• Usually more affordable than other removable options
• Can often be adjusted or repaired
• Suitable for many types of missing tooth situations
• Can be added to in some cases if another tooth is lost later
• Well-established material used for many years

The main thing patients often notice with acrylic is the thickness. Acrylic dentures are usually around 2 to 3mm thick, depending on the design and clinical situation. That may not sound like much, but inside the mouth, even small differences can feel noticeable. Your tongue is very clever. It can detect tiny changes, which is useful when eating, but less useful when you are trying to get used to a new denture and your tongue is acting like a building inspector.

Because acrylic is more rigid and often thicker than other materials, some patients find it takes longer to adapt to. That does not mean it is a bad option. It simply means the design needs to be appropriate, and patients should understand what to expect.

Option Two: Flexible Denture
Flexible dentures are very popular with patients who are replacing one missing tooth, especially when comfort and appearance are key priorities.

At The Swissedent Denture Clinic, our own patient demand shows that flexible dentures are often chosen more than other removable options for single missing teeth. One reason is that many patients have not been offered them elsewhere, and flexible denture manufacturing is not available through every dental practice or dental laboratory in the UK.

We are big advocates of Valplast flexible dentures and have believed in the philosophy behind them for many years. Our sister company, Bremadent Dental Laboratory, has been making Valplast flexible dentures since 2013.

Over that time, thousands of Valplast flexible dentures have been produced for patients, allowing the team to refine techniques around comfort, fit, appearance, and patient experience.

Flexible dentures are often thinner than acrylic dentures. A Valplast flexible denture is commonly around 1.5mm thick, depending on the patient’s mouth, the position of the missing tooth, the amount of space available, and other clinical factors.

The main advantages of flexible dentures include:
• Lightweight feel
• Flexible material
• Often more comfortable for many patients
• Natural-looking gum-coloured clasps in many cases
• No visible metal clasps in many designs
• Good option for certain single-tooth gaps
• Often popular for front or visible areas

Patients often like flexible dentures because they can feel less bulky than acrylic and can blend well with the mouth. The flexibility can also help the denture engage around natural teeth in a way that feels more comfortable for some people.

However, flexible dentures are not suitable for every case. This is why proper assessment is important. Your bite, the position of the missing tooth, the health of your remaining teeth, the available space, and the condition of your gums all matter.

Flexible dentures are excellent when used in the right situation, but like any dental appliance, they need to be carefully planned.

Option Three: Chrome Denture
A chrome denture is made using a metal framework, usually cobalt chrome, with acrylic teeth and gum-coloured areas added where needed. Chrome dentures are often strong, thin, and durable. They can be designed to fit accurately around natural teeth and may feel more stable in certain cases.

For one missing tooth, a chrome denture may be suitable depending on the position of the tooth, the condition of the remaining teeth, and the clinical design required.

Chrome dentures can often be thinner than acrylic dentures. In some areas, the framework may be around 1.0 to 1.5mm thick, depending on design, strength requirements, and patient factors.

The main advantages of chrome dentures include:
• Strong metal framework
• Thin design in many areas
• Good stability when suitable
• Durable material
• Can be very effective in the right clinical situation
• Often less bulky than acrylic

The main considerations are cost and suitability.

Chrome dentures usually involve more complex design and manufacturing, which can make them more expensive than acrylic dentures. They may also require certain tooth shapes, support areas, or design features to work well.
Some patients love chrome dentures. Others prefer flexible dentures because they want a metal-free look or a softer feel.

Again, it comes back to clinical assessment and patient preference.

The Thickness Difference Patients Often Notice
One of the simplest ways to understand the difference between acrylic, flexible, and chrome dentures is to think about thickness.
As a general guide:
• Acrylic dentures are usually around 2 to 3mm thick
• Valplast flexible dentures are often around 1.5mm thick
• Chrome dentures can be around 1.0 to 1.5mm thick in certain areas

These measurements are not fixed rules. They depend on your mouth, bone shape, gum support, bite, available space, design requirements, and the position of the missing tooth.

But it does help explain why two dentures that replace the same missing tooth can feel completely different in the mouth.

A small difference in thickness can feel like a big difference to your tongue, lips, and cheeks.

This is why choosing a denture is not just about replacing a tooth. It is about designing something that feels manageable, comfortable, and practical for daily life.

Why Patients Often Choose Flexible Dentures
Based on what we see at The Swissedent Denture Clinic, many patients asking about one missing tooth are drawn towards flexible dentures.

The reasons are usually practical:
• They often feel less bulky than acrylic
• They can look discreet
• They are comfortable for many patients
• They are often suitable for visible gaps
• They can avoid visible metal clasps in many cases
• Patients like the idea of flexibility

There is also another reason. Many patients simply have not been offered flexible dentures before.
Not every practice provides them, and not every laboratory manufactures genuine Valplast flexible dentures. This means patients often discover flexible dentures only after researching their options or visiting a clinic that focuses heavily on denture care.

At Swissedent, we believe patients should understand all suitable options before making a decision.
That does not mean flexible is always best. It means it should be considered where clinically appropriate.

Why a Dentist Referral Is Needed
If you still have natural teeth, we require a referral from your dentist before making a denture.
This is because your dentist is responsible for assessing the health of your remaining teeth, gums, and overall oral condition.

Before replacing one missing tooth, important questions need to be answered:
• Are the surrounding teeth healthy?
• Is there gum disease present?
• Is there enough space for a denture tooth?
• Is the bite suitable?
• Are any other teeth at risk?
• Is a removable denture the right option?
• Would another treatment option need to be discussed first?

This process protects the patient and helps ensure the denture is planned responsibly. A denture should never be made in isolation without considering the health of the whole mouth.

So, Which Option Is Best?
The best option depends on you. Acrylic may be suitable if you want a more affordable removable option.
Flexible may be suitable if comfort, appearance, and reduced bulk are important to you.

Chrome may be suitable if you need strength, stability, and a thin metal framework.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

The right denture is the one that works for your mouth, suits your expectations, and is clinically appropriate.

At The Swissedent Denture Clinic in London, we help patients understand their choices clearly, without confusing jargon or unnecessary pressure. We explain the pros and cons, discuss suitability, and guide patients through the process with practical, honest advice.

Because when you are missing one tooth, you do not just want a replacement. You want something that feels natural, looks good, and helps you get on with life without thinking about it every five minutes.

At The Swissedent Denture Clinic in London, We offer trusted care and premium quality dentures, with fair and transparent pricing, to help you eat, speak, and smile with confidence.



📞: 0203 489 2055 or 0208 520 8528 

📧 : [email protected]

📍: 25a St James Street, London, Walthamstow,  E17 7PJ