Would you close a gap due to extraction with an implant or braces. My front teeth slightly overlap, and as I have lost a tooth 6th from the front, I thought braces could pull the teeth back and close the gap, with bringing the 8th tooth forward slightly. I thought this could kill two birds with one stone, as I would lose the overlapping at the front, and also fill the gap. I spoke to my dentist and he won’t advise me on the best way, and I need a professional to tell me the best way forward please. The tooth was extracted quite a few years ago, so I would need a bone graft if I were to have an implant, My dentist has said that if I were to have braces, my centre line would be off, and he would either need to extract a tooth on the other side, or shave the front teeth. He also said he couldn’t be sure but he thinks I will get a black triangle between my front teeth once the overlapping is corrected. I really don’t know which is the best option. If I go with the implant, I will still have the crossed over teeth but the gap will be filled. If I go with the braces, both problems could be sorted, but there is much more interference with healthy teeth, ie getting teeth shaved and maybe another tooth extraction.

What would you think would be the best way forward?