Lost Back Molars: Are Dental Implants for Me?

Everything depends if youAnswered By: Dr. Edward Kusek - Sioux Falls , SD Everything depends on whether or not you have enough bone height. I would definitely recommend to have an implant in the # 30 position. There are a number of issues that you must meet. 1) can you open wide enough to allow our instrumentation in your mouth 2) joint condition in your jaw 3) tissue in the area that implants need to be placed 4) how many teeth do you have to oppose the area.Implants are a great option in the molar area. I am not sure where you got your information from, but I would have to say they are as successful in the molar position as they are in other areas, if everything is done correctly.Good luck Dr Kusek

You lost the two best molars for chewing your food on that side of your mouth. If you have heard conflicting information about molar replacement with implants you may be talking to the wrong person. Here are some reasons why replacing your lost molars with implants is a good idea: 1- Your jawbone starts to dissappear slowly immediately after a molar is extracted. 2- The only thing that allows you to keep the bone is the stimulus provided by the root of a natural tooth or by an implant. 3- The opposing teeth will grow into the space created by the extracted molar and will create problems with your bite. 4- The adjacent teeth will drift by tipping into the space and also affect your bite.Can you survive without implants? Yes, I see many individuals without teeth that have learned to adapt to their situation, but if you can afford it, replacing the missing molars with implants is your best choice. Good luck. Carlos A. Boudet, DDS, DICOI