Tori’s Story
A journey of renewed confidence
When Tori discovered she was missing several adult teeth, it was a shock that affected her confidence as a teenager. Smiling felt difficult, and she often worried about how her teeth looked.
With the help of her hypodontia team, she found a treatment plan that worked for her – from braces and retainers to a bridge that restored her smile. Today, Tori feels more confident than ever and wants others with hypodontia to know they’re not alone, and that treatment really can transform how you feel about yourself.
“My name is Tori Sellors, I play rugby for Saracens Women, and I’ve lived with hypodontia – a condition where you’re born without some of your adult teeth.
I first noticed something was different when I started secondary school. At 11 or 12, I still had lots of baby teeth, but very few adult teeth had come through. I felt self-conscious, especially as my top teeth had obvious gaps. That’s when my treatment journey began.
The orthodontists started by fitting braces to move my teeth into better positions, even reshaping some teeth so they looked more natural. I also had an expander to widen my mouth – not the most comfortable thing, but it helped create space for future treatment.
Later, I had a removable false tooth to fill the gap, which gave me the confidence to smile again. I even had a retainer with a built-in tooth, which came in handy when one of my false teeth broke while I was away playing rugby! Over time, I also had a bridge fitted, which has made a huge difference to how I feel about my smile.
Throughout my treatment, I was supported by wonderful teams at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead and later Guy’s Hospital in London. They explained every option, helped me choose the shape and shade of my replacement teeth, and reassured me whenever I felt nervous.
Hypodontia knocked my confidence at times – I would avoid smiling without my retainer and sometimes only smiled with my mouth closed. But treatment changed that. I now feel much more comfortable in myself, both on and off the rugby pitch.
Looking back, I’d tell my younger self not to worry so much. The process can feel long, but it’s worth it. You’ll meet amazing people along the way who guide and support you. Even if the terminology feels confusing, your dental team will break it down and make it understandable.
My message to others going through hypodontia is this: own it. Everyone’s journey is different, but the end result is confidence in your smile – and that’s something worth working towards.”