Replacing missing back teeth is essential. The molar teeth are designed for mastication i.e chewing . Without molars, it is far harder to break down foods for ease of swallowing. This essentially means that the diet will be one of soft foods only and eating will take much longer. This would not be a great look at a New Years eve dinner party! 

Our front teeth are created for incising food i.e cutting. If the teeth in front of the molars are overloaded with excessive force then further problems will result such as cracks, fractures and even teeth splitting in half meaning the loss of more teeth. 

The good news is that molar teeth can be replaced using dental implants to restore chewing function, spread the forces and enjoy those harder goods once again. 

Our case of the month for December is a classic one where the back teeth were lost due to bruxism which severely impaired function.
 

Losing a tooth in the back of your mouth can feel frustrating. The lower premolars and molars—the teeth you use most for chewing—are especially important for eating, speaking, and keeping your smile healthy. When one of these teeth is lost due to decay, gum disease, or injury, it’s natural to wonder what the best replacement option might be.

While removable dentures and bridges may be an option , we generally recommend dental implants for replacing premolars and molars, especially in the lower jaw. Implants are small titanium posts that act like artificial tooth roots. They are placed into the jawbone and topped with a crown that looks and feels like a natural tooth. Below are the main reasons why implants are often considered the gold standard for replacing missing back teeth.
 

A missing tooth or teeth can be a major dental issue for most people with aesthetic and functional problems. This is not a good look at the front of the mouth but even from the side, a large gap can ruin a smile. Teeth are designed for a certain reason , whether that be for biting and tearing food ( front teeth) or chewing ( molars). The loss of even one tooth can impact on everyday eating habits and long term issues with the bite. For example, teeth will slowly move into the space left by an extracted tooth by either drifting in sideways or the opposing tooth moving up or downwards ( over eruption). This can dramatically impact on how one eats and damage the other teeth in the long term. The answer is to the replace the tooth in good time!

Most dental implants are made from titanium which is classified as a biocompatible material. However, reports have suggested that 0.6% of the population may have a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to titanium and this would not be a suitable material. Increasing, we are hearing that patients would like to avoid any form of metal within the mouth as a personal choice akin to not having amalgam fillings. This is perfectly acceptable and there is an alternative option with zirconia ( zirconium dioxide) implants. These are metal free dental implants that are white in colour and hence are aesthetically pleasing. We use zirconia a lot in dentistry and the material is routinely used for crowns on back teeth and crowns for implants. We have never come across an allergic reaction to zirconia nor seen any form of hypersensitivity. Zirconia is bioinert meaning it does not release any ions like some metals can which reduces the risk of an immune response.
 

Teeth can be lost for various reasons such as tooth decay, trauma, failed root canal treatments or periodontal (gum) disease. The loss of teeth can have a significant impact on not only everyday function but aesthetics and general confidence when out and about. Replacing missing teeth is vital as this will restore function ( eating is important!) , improve aesthetics and prevent the adjacent and opposing teeth from moving into undesirable positions. The latter is a particular problem if the teeth are not replaced for a few years as this will make any dental implant treatment far more complicated.