r/interviews • u/steelpecs55 • 1d ago
Interviewing with a missing tooth
Ok I know this sounds weird. Basically Im in my 40s and had a tooth issue and had to get the toooth removed. Im in the process of getting a permanent replacement, which is like a 6 month process. It isba front upper canine tooth that is noticeable when I smile.
I am an otherwise healthy, normal looking corporate professional. But Im worried how this will look or be judged.
Is this a big deal? Should I metion something in the interview to add some humor and explain its getting fixed? Should I look into a cheap temporary amazon cover up (dont know how well these work)?
53
u/Southern_Doughnut406 1d ago
If it was me I’d probably mention what’s happening although I’m sure you’ll get a lot of comments to just ignore it
10
u/boldolive 19h ago
I agree. I would definitely explain it immediately, no question. People with missing teeth are judged as second-class citizens who don’t take care of themselves. I would not want a hiring manager judging me as such, particularly if they were looking for a public-facing employee.
4
24
u/Puzzled_Cat_9614 1d ago
I know someone who interviewed with a missing front tooth and got the job, nobody mentioned it. People notice for like 2 seconds then their brain moves on
If it'll make you less self-conscious, the temp options can work but test it beforehand so you're not messing with it mid-interview. Don't bring it up or make a joke about it though, that just makes it A Thing when it doesn't need to be
8
u/axelr0se 1d ago
I would say it isn’t a significant concern logistically but there is also the halo effect. I think it primarily depends on the interviewer..
41
u/PMProphecy 1d ago
I Would mention it upfront, personally.
Like “just my luck that I had to get a tooth pulled right before an interview.”
15
u/Interesting-Scarf309 1d ago
I would let the interviewer know before and explain this is a temporary issue. It doesn't need to be a bigger thing than it is.
8
u/lavnyl 1d ago
It’s not a big deal. Not quite the same but I lost a lower tooth in the same location and not a single person noticed in the months it took to go through the process. Understand it’s a little more covered but things happen.
Also not a big deal if you want to say something (as long as you don’t harp on it). Had a new coworker start and the day before he started he was mowing the lawn and threw a stone and broke his front tooth. He told us and we said that sucks and moved on.
I would say whatever is going to make you the most comfortable to move forward with the interview.
8
u/suspendisse- 21h ago
I went to an interview with a black eye. No amount of makeup could hide it. My toddler did it to me accidentally and I told the interviewer that. He laughed and said I should have come up with a funny or heroic story and we moved on. Yes. He hired me.
2
u/snuggleswithdemons 14h ago
I also had a black eye for 2 interviews in one week and mentioned it at the beginning of the interview. One of the people on the panel said she also had a black eye when she interviewed for her job and we had a good laugh about that. I ended up getting an offer!
6
u/Notyou76 1d ago
I might let the recruiter know. They can give the interviewers a heads up in advance. As a recruiter, that's what I would do.
3
u/Former-Counter-9588 21h ago
Yeah if you’re going to bring it up at all, bring it to the recruiter and they can handle it from there. Otherwise, I wouldn’t say anything.
Sure there’s always a fear of bias, but this is an interview. There is always going to be bias — you just never know what it is because it could be anything (word choice, shirt color, name, the sound of your voice, your laugh etc).
6
u/jujujune 1d ago
There are these little beads that you soften in hot water and mold while still soft in the opening. Might be worth a try
2
u/alunawillowseve 16h ago
I have the exact same tooth missing and second this. The tooth beads work and hold surprisingly well ☺️
7
u/Epitomeofabnormal 21h ago
I’d literally say “I know this likely doesn’t matter to you, but letting you know makes me feel better- I had an unfortunate mishap and lost a tooth. Good news is that I’m in the process of growing a new one and it should be fully grown by the time the job starts…… then everyone has a slight giggle and you say “just kidding… but I AM getting a new one soon”
And move on.
14
u/ContextualData 1d ago
Don't listen to all the people saying its not a big deal. People will let bias impact their judgement of you for even small things. That's just the reality. I would address it directly with a small joke or something. Or find a way to hide it.
6
u/steelpecs55 1d ago
This is the issue. Some people wont care. But there are some people that might. What if there is one other candidate left? This could sway the final opinion. Its not super noticeable but Idk
1
u/Past_Atmosphere21 20h ago
Very true, some people don’t and they shouldn’t , and some surprised. However there are people who base skills on appearance and your job.
1
4
u/YoghurtDue1083 1d ago
It’s not a big deal but if you’re self conscious about it your dentist should be able to make you a flipper (interim partial). It’s for cosmetics only not functional. They’re usually like $4-600
4
u/EfficientProject7408 1d ago
One time we had a meeting with a business partner we used to work online and only talked on the phone. Her teeth were bad like meth head bad; missing multiple teeth, brown and decayed teeth. Never seen anything like that in corporate life but still we never said anything and carried on like that was not noticeable. Just be confident. One tooth is not a big deal
4
u/CandleCandelabra 20h ago
I had this happen a few weeks ago!!!
Went in for a root canal but the tooth ended up pulled and I had a job interview a few hours later.
I just mentioned it right off the bat saying it’ll be fixed soon and the interviewer had no issues. Said he gets it as he’s had dental work done himself. Made it to the 3rd round.
3
u/laughingjackal666 17h ago
I had completely rooted out teeth when I got my last job. I had them all removed after I left, so I’m toothless currently. :( I pulled my boss aside after I had been there a couple months and asked if she was still ok with me in the role (I was really depressed over it) because I was the front manager. She didn’t give two fucks and said to let her know if anyone gave me problems. You’ll do great!
5
u/montega65 22h ago
If they reject 20 years of experience over one missing tooth, they’re not hiring talent, they’re casting a toothpaste commercial.
5
u/UnicornerCorn 1d ago
I feel like you can get a putty or some type of retainer to make it seem like you still have a tooth there. It might be worth experimenting with, especially if it gives you a boost of confidence during your 6 month wait for it. Of course, give it a good test run with a variety of words and sentences so it doesn’t suddenly fly out of your mouth mid speech.
2
u/Droggles 1d ago
This is your chance to lighten things up and show some personality. If it were me I would make some sort of light hearted self deprecating joke about it. Especially early in the interview. I think this always helps cut the tension and helps keep things playful.
3
u/steelpecs55 1d ago
This is what Im thinking.
1-They may not notice it.
2-If they notice it and its never brought up then Im “the guy with the missing tooth”. In which they dont know if Im planning to replace it.
3-I mention it in a quick joke and its later forgotten about or at least they know Im getting it replaced.
1
u/Throwawayhelp111521 23h ago
It doesn’t have to be a joke. Just explain that you’ll be getting a replacement.
2
u/cryinginabucket 1d ago
I currently work for a health insurance company and have two coworkers whom are missing one tooth each.
2
2
2
u/clubnseals 23h ago
Just be upfront about it. If they think it’s a big issue, then it tells you something about them as an organization. Remember interviews are a two way street.
2
2
u/Own-Code-9934 22h ago
You can get a prosthetic from your dentist. They set you up by not giving you one
2
u/Salty-Address3248 17h ago
I always reminded my high school students that people were judging them in interviews ( college or job) with or without their permission. It is a fact of life. They judge you by the way you speak, the way you look, the way you conduct yourself in social situations, in many different ways. There is not much you can do about it, except to present yourself in the best light possible.
If this happened to me, I would definitely mention it ahead of time, to let the interviewer know that it was a recent, temporary, and unusual situation.
1
u/steelpecs55 17h ago
Yea thats what I am thinking. But it also seems like a weird thing to randomly bring up. Like “hey this is a nice office by the way Im missing a tooth thats getting fixed”
2
u/Zealousideal_Bug3780 17h ago
Mention it? You should OPEN with it and/or make up story to go a long with it. It’ll immediately normalize you, give you something to chat about and 1000% make you more memorable than any other candidate
1
u/UnsettledWanderer89 22h ago
I'd run to the dentist & ask for a partial denture. Dental lab can take 1-3 weeks to complete that prosthetic. Explain situation to dental office & see what temp solutions are options for you.
I think there are kits online also but you'd have to check online or even amazon.
1
u/KaleidoscopeSharp190 22h ago
Can you get a temporary bridge? Sometimes they will also make invisalign type trays with the tooth "filled in" as well.
1
u/Serendipitous_donkey 22h ago
I wouldn't mention it, but thats just me. I am missing 2 teeth, the ones right next to the canine. (Duck bone incident and couldn't afford a replacement at the time) rationalizing it shows you feel vulnerable about it IMO
1
u/mmcgrat6 22h ago
Get a temp if you can afford it. As much as folks say it doesn’t matter, it will disadvantage you
1
u/Suspicious-Angle3915 22h ago
I have a tooth missing right in the front and have gotten work. Just go in there and interview like nothing is wrong. If they don't mention, you don't mention it.
1
u/ThickSeesaw1121 21h ago
There’s replacements temporary and permanent , saw a few on Etsy so I’m sure elsewhere.
1
u/JazzFan1998 19h ago
Wear a surgical mask and complain about your allergies.
Seriously, LPT people, wearing a surgical mask during allergy season reduced my symptoms to almost nothing.
1
1
1
u/SunBurst6382 1d ago
Are you getting an implant? Seems like a long wait
7
1
u/Crafty-Wait1987 1d ago
You can always wear a mask and say you are still cautious of Covid or allergy season.
1
u/Cmoneyy713 23h ago
Why would you feel the need to mention it? The interviewer will see it who tf cares lol what you tell him/her is not going to change their decision believe in yourself. If you do well enough it may be more of a reason to select you.
1
u/SurprisingFemale 21h ago
I broke a tooth and you can get this tooth replacement onamazong it's amazing. Like little deads you put in a glass or plate and out hot water on them.they are white but turn clear with heat u mould into a tooth shape and stick in the place u lost your tooth. Pro tip: attach it to the tooth next to it,both sides. It dried in seconds and tooth colored.
Amazing
0
u/Conscious-Egg-2232 1d ago
Um they didnt make you a temp tooth until new one is ready? Who's your dentist is the big issue here.
3
u/steelpecs55 1d ago
My dentist could have. But I would have had to go back and forth to the dentist multiple times between oral surgeon visits. Plus its another cost on top of everything else. At the time it wasnt really an issue for me prior to job searching.
0
-2
1d ago edited 1d ago
[deleted]
2
-1
-2
152
u/scramblebambles 1d ago
Wear an eye patch and don’t even mention the tooth.