When you think of losing teeth and getting replacements, you probably think of your front teeth. But losing a back molar is just as possible and can be a bit more complicated. Often, cosmetic reasons drive people to quickly replace a missing or chipped tooth at the front of their mouth.
However, damaged or missing molars in the back of your mouth can pose risks of their own so knowing what to do if you’ve lost a molar is important to your dental health.
Molars are instrumental to your mouth properly breaking down food. We take it for granted but lose a molar and you’ll see just how difficult it can be to get food properly chewed and swallowed without a molar. For this reason, among others, replacing the missing tooth is important to your dental health and the overall function of your teeth.
To help you make the decision after you’ve lost a molar, we’ve got some information below on your options and consequences of a missing molar.
Jaw Erosion
A missing tooth isn’t all it seems. It’s not just a matter of cosmetics or an open spot in your mouth, it can cause serious and long-term damage to the bones in your mouth. The compromised stability of the nearby teeth and the constant use on a damaged area can wear away the bone structure of your bottom or top jaw which can be detrimental to oral health.
Stability
Your teeth are not working alone, all your teeth work together to remain stable and do the work needed to break down food. When a molar goes missing, the surrounding teeth suddenly have to do a lot more work to make up for the loss and not all of them are up for the challenge. You may find yourself with even more tooth problems or even missing or cracked teeth as the stability of your teeth takes a hit.
Implants
This is probably the best option for a missing molar. Implants are a full implementation of an artificial root and tooth in place of a missing one. It’s an invasive procedure and usually takes a couple of dental visits and some healing time to fully recover, but the full replacement of the missing tooth is the best way to tackle the problems that can arise from leaving a missing molar.
Related Questions
Are There Non-Implant Options?
Implants are the most comprehensive fixes for a missing tooth but a bridge or a crown can also help if the situation calls for it. They’re less invasive and will offer support and relief with much less work than an implant. It won’t be quite as sound though.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Not Replacing the Tooth?
Apart from the damage mentioned above, you may also be facing gum disease that can quickly spread to your other teeth and cause the surrounding teeth to fall out. This leads to more bone erosion in your jaw that will be painful and compromise the stability of your mouth.
Don’t wait to get that missing molar replaced. You can do serious damage to your oral health by not getting it taken care of. Call and visit an experienced dentist.
Our Walled Lake Dental Office has been restoring teeth and smiles for over 40 years. Dr. Hechtman DDS uses the latest techniques in Cosmetic Dentistry, such as dental veneers and Dental Treatments such as dental implants to restore teeth and keep mouths healthy. Our dental staff has the experience and expertise to address all your dental health needs, including Children’s Dentistry and are committed to offering a personalized experience as well as helping patients who are highly anxious or suffer from dental anxiety. Call today for a Free Dental Consult!