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Periodontist: A dentist who specializes in the treatment of gum disease. . Dental and orthodontic gadgets and materials not mentioned elsewhere
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In a mature adult (i.e. 45+ years)who's had a back upper molar removed
within the last few years, how
fast and far will the other teeth will move apart, (and in some
people, will they move hardly at all?), creating a misaligned bite?
Is it inevitable that the bite will become seriously misaligned, or
might it be only a negligible misalignment?
In short, is it considered absolutely essential to cover the empty
back space with an implant or bridge?
(I'm trying to avoid having an expensive implant that I'm not sure I
need.) Academic Programs - School of Dentistry - University of Detroit Mercy::
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As far as I know the teeth may or may not move to fill the missing
space.However if they do move they can damage the enamel on
neighboring teeth when they move as well as causing bite
misalignment,therefore you would have to pay for fillings or even root
canals.My sympathies,I have similar problems.
For what it's worth, I had a top molar removed 13 years ago, and the
teeth haven't shifted at all in that time. At the time it was
extracted I asked the oral surgeon if it was likely to create a
problem in that regard, and whether I needed to look at a bridge just
as a 'space holder' type of thing. He said no, the bridge was only
necessary if I felt I wanted it either cosmetically or for chewing --
which I didn't. It's never been a problem. I don't know if age would
affect that; I was in my mid 30's at the time. I do know that when my
5 year old son fell and knocked out a front baby tooth the dentist did
employ what he called a space-holder bridge to prevent shifting and
hold open the space for the permanent tooth to come in, which leads me
to believe that age is at least something of a factor. Good luck! Grand Junction Dentists::
Dentists, Periodontists & Periodontic Dentistry More>>. Dentists, Periodontists & Periodontic Dentistry, Dentists, Orthodontists Orthodontic Dentistry
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This question is difficult to answer without knowing which tooth was
extracted, what teeth are left nearby and below, your periodontal
condition (gum disease present or not), the level of your smile line
etc.
In brief, it is highly unlikely that the loss of an upper molar will
adversely affect the condition of the remaining teeth. (It would be
different if a lower molar was lost as the opposing tooth would
overerupt into the space)
The main consideration here is the aesthetic implications of having a
gap in this area. Do you see it when you smile? If not, then the cost
cannot be justified for the potential gain.
If yes, then ask yourself which is more important, cost or
preservation of the tooth tissue of the surrounding teeth. This is
important as an implant will cost much more (and yes, you may need
bone augmentation if the residual bone is too shallow.......most loss
occurs in the 6 months post-extraction) but will not require the
destructive removal of healthy tooth tissue from the adjacent teeth
which a bridge needs.
In essence you've answered your own question. If the gap bothered you,
you would have already had the procedure done. Since your only concern
is the potential change to your occlusion (which will be slight and of
no cause for concern) then there is no need for anything to be done.
In the end, any patient has the right to a second opinion and too few
exercise it.
It is not essential to fill the gap. Teeth will only drift slightly
you wont end up wil big gaps every where. Bridges are only recomended
if the gap is bothering you looks wise or if you are having problems
chewing on that side.
I'm a 53 year old male; had upper right six molar removed last year by
my dentist who is very keen on preventative work, but even he had to
admit that a bridge or other type of gap filler wasn't required unless
I felt I wanted it for cosmetic or comfort reasons. So far no
problems, and no awkward bridge work to keep clean; this is a major
consideration because cleaning around bridges is a very time consuming
and boring job!
If you decide to get the implant,do it now.When there is a missing
tooth the bone deteriorates and you will need a bone transplant to
make it stay if you put it off too long.
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