topic Re: Tooth extraction dilemma in Wellness

Tooth extraction dilemma

ilikethebubbly — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:33:29 GMT

I need to have a molar extracted. I was going to not have an implant and just leave it missing. Has anyone here done that, and if so what were the consequences? The implant is going to be so expensive. ☹️

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

LuvmyLab — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:38:00 GMT

I have had three dental implants because I had baby teeth into my 50s. I did have a tooth extraction in the very back of my mouth and I chose not to do an implant there because nobody can see it and it’s been fine. That was over 20 years ago.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

D Kay — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:39:23 GMT

There's lots of info online about this. Can lead to bone loss, shifting teeth, etc.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

FranandZoe — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:41:36 GMT

I had two molars removed about a year ago - last and next to last teeth on upper left side. The last one was a wisdom toother. I had another tooth missing on the other side upper right about halfway back.

Not having the two molars on the upper left threw my bite off a bit. And I was concerned about the missing tooth on the other side.

So my dentist made me a partial flexible plate - two teeth - one on each side. He said it would help my bite and it does. I love it.

My insurance does not cover implants and I just didn't want to spend the money on that.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

Shelbelle — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:05:40 GMT

I have been in both your predicaments. In 2004 I had a top back molar removed, no implant, way too far in the back to warrant implant, even my oral surgeon agreed. but 4 years ago I needed a top canine tooth extracted, there was no way to save it, I immediately opted for the implant since it can easily been seen when smiling. It did cost a fortune and took up 4 months of my time but so worth it in the end. They do say that if you dont get the implant the teeth can shift, but none for me so far in 21 years. I am happy to answer anything you may want to ask me. I went to a very skilled periodentist for the extraction and the implant, he did all the work, except for the final crown that your regular dentist will do. Perio also made me a plastic tooth that took the place of my tooth until I was ready for the crown

So , my bottom line response to you is that if the hole will easily show go for the implant, if it wont show, dont. Most I know who didnt opt for the implant have had no residual issues.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

geezerette — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:47:05 GMT

I had a back molar extracted about five years ago and did not opt for a bridge or implant. If I had been younger, I would have made a different decision.

At the time I was informed about possible bone loss and shifting teeth, but so far I have not experienced any of those. I do wear a night guard which I have been told does help to some degree to keep the teeth from shifting.

ETA: I have not had any difficulty eating either.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

SilleeMee — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:48:55 GMT

@ilikethebubbly

I have 8 implants, mostly molars. Two of the molars were already missing for quite some time before they were replaced with implants and since it had been a stretch of time that caused the jaw bone to lose bone tissue in and around the missing teeth. I had to have grafts put in to make up for the lost bone. The other 6 teeth were extracted and implanted, with a few grafts (not all of them), at the same time. The surgeon told me that extractions should be followed immediately with a graft in that empty socket to prevent bone loss in that area of the jaw. You don't need to have an implant right away but in the future it will make the implant procedure go better with a healthy bone to work with. Otherwise the empty socket will cause accelerated bone loss in that socket as well as around the adjacent teeth which can cause those teeth to get loose and possibly need extraction, too.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

DessieDo — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:01:11 GMT

I was told my teeth would shift and my bite might be affected. I did the implant.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

ilikethebubbly — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:07:59 GMT

Yeah, I read some stuff online and was worried about problems further down the line. I don't care about the missing tooth. I was just wondering if my teeth and jaw would really mess up, or if they are just trying to make $ off of me!

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

Shelbelle — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:12:52 GMT

@ilikethebubbly wrote:
Yeah, I read some stuff online and was worried about problems further down the line. I don't care about the missing tooth. I was just wondering if my teeth and jaw would really mess up, or if they are just trying to make $ off of me!

A little bit of both !!! Like i said, I have gone over 21 years with the hole way in the back and no issues.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

SilleeMee — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:13:28 GMT

@ilikethebubbly wrote:
Yeah, I read some stuff online and was worried about problems further down the line. I don't care about the missing tooth. I was just wondering if my teeth and jaw would really mess up, or if they are just trying to make $ off of me!

@ilikethebubbly

No. The dental pros are giving you the right advice. You can either get the implant right after extraction or have it filled with a graft. Otherwise the chances of problems down the road could occur...bone loss, more loose/shifting teeth and possible extractions b/c of the loose teeth. I know b/c it happened to me.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

AuntG — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:14:49 GMT

@ilikethebubbly wrote:
Yeah, I read some stuff online and was worried about problems further down the line. I don't care about the missing tooth. I was just wondering if my teeth and jaw would really mess up, or if they are just trying to make $ off of me!

I have not had to make that decision, but wonder if one missing tooth would cause problems down the road. I guess that my age would factor into whether I had expensive dental work done. If over 70, I think I'd not have an implant.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

geezerette — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:16:15 GMT

@ilikethebubbly wrote:
Yeah, I read some stuff online and was worried about problems further down the line. I don't care about the missing tooth. I was just wondering if my teeth and jaw would really mess up, or if they are just trying to make $ off of me!

An implant is your best option, but it's a personal choice with your own situation to consider.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

Bonkers1 — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:16:46 GMT

I had a tooth that was infecting my sinuses. I decided to have an implant. It was pretty much near the back of my mouth. I was given the cost which was pretty mighty but 2 things I didn't realize. The cost was just to get the tooth ready for the extraction and that they had to wait a year before they could put the implant in to make sure everything healed. I decided not to get the implant and never looked back. This was 10 years ago maybe things have changed. Actually went to the dentist yesterday and everything was fine.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

ilikethebubbly — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:21:25 GMT

I have a consultation with the oral surgeon in a few weeks. Maybe I will find out more about bone graft with implant later. Thanks everyone for chiming in.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

SilleeMee — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:41:54 GMT

@ilikethebubbly

I had one back molar extracted and didn't have implant put in that one. But the surgeon put in a graft in that empty socket so that I wouldn't lose bone mass in that area of my jaw where there's an implant right next to it. Surgeon said the graft will help keep healthy bone adjacent to the implant and keep the implant from shifting. But even if I didn't have an adjacent implant, the graft helps prevent further accelerated bone loss which naturally happens when teeth are extracted.

ETA-

Bone grafting after extraction is a relatively newer thing. I'm 70 and when I was growing up grafting wasn't being done as part of keeping a strong jaw bone. Grafting became more common later on when implants started to become more popular.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

Meowingkitty — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:34:06 GMT

I had a molar removed when I was a teen. I didn't do anything because my parents couldn't afford a bridge so it stayed empty probably for 15 years. After I became an adult and went to a dentist on a regular basis he told me over time the top teeth will drop down and the others in the area will shift so I had a bridge installed. The bridge lasted a very long time until the back tooth cracked and had to be removed. I then had an implant and it is probably the best thing I've done in a long time. I've had it for 6 years and no issues.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

piperbay — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:42:04 GMT

I had the same situation as @geezerette where I had a back molar removed and didn't get the implant. That was about ten years ago. My teeth didn't shift.

I did get an implant in a front molar but didn't have the money for the last molar.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

bargainsgirl — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:00:57 GMT

I just had my 4th implant. Maybe 25 years ago I had a last in the back molar extracted and just left it. I am now 72 and have not had a single problem. I would do it again if it was in the very back. The implants I did have would have been a problem if I did nothing since they were towards the front of my mouth.

Re: Tooth extraction dilemma

Effie54 — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:43:39 GMT

I wouldn't just have a molar out and leave a missing tooth unless it's a back molar with no molar behind it. It looks funky when you smile and your bite will definitely shift. I chose a bridge over an implant for a few reasons. It was too close to my sinuses and I didn't want to,go through a sinus lift (no!), implants are expensive, painful (sometimes) and can fail down the road. I'm happy with my decision.