Can you live without back teeth?

It's common for adults to lose a back molar, often to gum disease, tooth decay, or injury. Since back molars don't affect the overall appearance of your smile, you might be tempted to skip replacing it. That's not the best idea. Missing a tooth, even just one, can cause severe and permanent damage to your entire mouth.


What happens if you have no back teeth?

Missing back teeth can interfere with proper chewing of food, jaw support, and the stability of your remaining healthy teeth. If you do not replace your missing teeth, the adjacent healthy teeth will eventually start to move around and may even tip over into the empty space.

What can be done for missing back teeth?

Many patients who lose one or more back teeth think they don't need to replace them because they can't be seen, but replacing any missing tooth is essential to keep your smile whole and healthy. Dental implants, fixed bridges, and dentures are all tooth replacement options to repair your smile following tooth loss.


Can you live without your molars?

Yes, it is possible to lose a molar tooth and avoid problems with biting and chewing. However, a missing molar has the potential to cause problems with chewing food on the affected side of your mouth, and may also lead to receding gums.

What happens if you pull a molar and don't replace it?

After you undergo a tooth extraction, you will need to replace the missing tooth or teeth. If the teeth are not replaced, the bones in your mouth can weaken and lose density. Other teeth also might shift, and you might experience trouble eating. Fortunately, you have several replacement options for missing teeth.


Should You Replace Missing Back Teeth



Do you need your back molars?

Your back molars help you chew food properly and they also affect your overall bite while easing some of the excessive pressure put on the front teeth when chewing. Regardless if you're missing front or back teeth, a single tooth or multiple teeth, dental implants can restore your smile.

Is it OK to not replace a back molar?

It's common for adults to lose a back molar, often to gum disease, tooth decay, or injury. Since back molars don't affect the overall appearance of your smile, you might be tempted to skip replacing it. That's not the best idea. Missing a tooth, even just one, can cause severe and permanent damage to your entire mouth.

Does losing back teeth change your face?

But with missing teeth, your jawbone isn't able to support the structure of your face anymore. Your facial structure, which depends on a well formed healthy jawbone to support all your teeth, will eventually start collapsing. You will notice this as a sunken look to your face or a shorter face (than normal).


How much does it cost to replace a back molar?

Molar implants cost anywhere from $4,250 to $11,000 per implant. The cost also depends on what procedures you need to undergo beforehand. But don't let those figures scare you off. Some dental insurance companies might be willing to cover a part of the procedure cost.

Does everyone need their molars out?

Not Everyone Needs their Wisdom Teeth Removed

With this in mind, only 15% of people can actually go through their lives without issues, keeping their Wisdom teeth and without experiencing complications of infection, pain, or tooth crowding.

Can you get a bridge with no back teeth?

Patients with missing back teeth will almost always receive a traditional or implant-supported dental bridge.


How many back teeth do you need?

Molars grow in at the back of your mouth and a full set of adult teeth should have 8 in total with 4 on the top and 4 on the bottom jaw. These teeth are your strongest and we rely on these teeth to grind our food so it's safe to swallow.

Can I get a partial denture with no back teeth?

One partial denture is necessary for each arch. It does not matter how many back teeth you are missing. As long as you are not missing all of your teeth, a single partial denture will suffice for each arch.

What if I lose all my molars?

Full Dentures

Immediate dentures are made to be placed in your mouth immediately after any remaining teeth are extracted. They're temporary dentures to help you maintain functionality as your gum tissues heal. After a few months, immediate dentures are replaced by conventional dentures for permanent use.


What happens if I lost all my molars?

Impact on Bone Health.

The more untreated missing teeth you have, the more you are likely to have in the future, and this can be detrimental to the structure and health of your jawbone. You can experience up to 80% bone loss in the areas of the jaw that are missing teeth.

Can you grow back your back teeth?

The Bottom Line

In general, unfortunately adult teeth cannot regrow or repair themselves. Fixing your smile requires the help of a professional in the field.

Will removing a back molar cause teeth to shift?

Extracting the third molars does not cause the other teeth to shift, but removing them can relieve pressure in the mouth. For example, you may find it easier to floss, which can make you feel as if your tooth alignment has changed.


Can I replace all my molars?

July 20, 2019. Losing all your teeth is scary for anyone, and oftentimes one of the first questions people ask their dentist is, “Is it possible to replace all my teeth?” Fortunately, the answer is yes!

How can I fix my molars without surgery?

“For mild cases, a dentist may recommend metal braces or clear aligners to move teeth into the correct position. In some cases, a dentist may use a grinding device to shave down larger teeth,” Ataii says. The goal with braces and clear teeth aligners is to slowly shift the teeth and jaws into the correct position.

Does missing back teeth affect speech?

Missing molars and premolars won't affect your speech too much, but if you have any front teeth missing, you may struggle to pronounce certain sounds. These are known as strident sounds, and they are caused by the friction and airflow when your tongue or lips push against the front teeth.


Are missing back teeth noticeable?

December 17, 2020. If you were to lose a front tooth, it's likely a given that you would want to replace it as soon as possible in order to get your smile looking good again. Losing a back tooth is often not taken as seriously by people simply because it's not something that is noticeable to others.

Can missing back teeth cause TMJ?

One or more missing teeth alters the way you chew food, which can cause TMJ-related problems. Your temporomandibular joints are what connects each side of your jaw to your skull. Jaw misalignment can occur due to the changes in the way you eat and chew food, leading to a host of TMJ Disorder symptoms.

Are back teeth important?

Teeth aren't just for looks—especially your back molars! Each one plays an important role in chewing and grinding up food. Back teeth encourage an even bite, which reduces strain on the jaw and extra pressure on the front teeth.


Does removing back teeth hurt?

Is a tooth extraction painful? Not necessarily. While the extraction may hurt if you are under the effects of nitrous oxide, you should not be in excruciating pain. For more serious extractions, you will need stronger painkillers such as oral sedatives or anesthesia.

What is the cheapest way to replace a missing tooth?

The most affordable tooth replacement solution is dentures. This is because they take the least amount of time to create. There is no surgery and no dental crowns to place. Instead, an impression is taken of the mouth along with measurements.