I am a 57 yo woman who lost my lower molar 2.5 years ago. I just got back from getting my teeth cleaned and the denist/surgeon says I should get a implant or pull the top tooth because it will continue to grow until it meets my bottom gum. A implant is over $4,000 and I dont want to pull my top molar. Help
Hello! Thank you for posting here. Your doctor is right. Teeth supra-erupt when the opposing tooth is missing. There are different forms of replacing a tooth. Implant is the most advanced technique amongst all. A bridge can be done if it is a first molar. A implant or a removable denture is the only choice if it is a second molar. Removable denture is considerably inconvenient and should be removed and placed after every meal and maintained. Implant includes a surgery in which your general health, cost factor must be considered. Removable denture is cheap and takes time to get used to it. Both these options prevent further growth of the opposite tooth. Consider these options and you can get it done. Replacing this tooth also increases your chewing ability. Hope this helps.