Is It OK to Leave a Upper 2nd Molar Missing in my Situation?

Question

Im 32. I had my #15 tooth pulled 4 years ago because it couldnt be saved. But I was told i didnt need it anyway since it was occluding with my bottom partially impacted wisdom tooth. So my top 1st molar is occluding my bottom 2nd molar now. My question: is it OK to leave that #15 missing? will the loss of bone over time cause problems to other teeth? And second question, if I were to do any straightening, how much of that bottom tooth needs to keep touching the top to prevent super-eruption?

Prashant Nanda, MDS, FICOI · Answer

Dear Jerry,

	It would be a lot easier to answer your question if you had any clinical pictures or panaromic (OPG) X-Ray image with you. Also do you have your upper left third molar (#16) in place?

	In an ideal situation, it is not ok to have a second molar missing and it should be replaced. Bone loss over a period of time could definitely effect other teeth, however, if your upper 1st molar is contacting both the lower 1st and 2nd molar, you will not need to worry about supra-eruption of teeth. 

	Hope this helps.

	Regards

	Dr. Prashant Nanda

German Arzate, DDS - Account Suspended · Answer

Try not to
leave your #15 missing, the receding bone will eventually affect tooth #14; it
will take years, but sooner or later it will. If you were to do any
straightening the lowers would not present super eruption, only uppers, but you
will need that tooth to chew and bite.

Is It OK to Leave a Upper 2nd Molar Missing in my Situation?

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Is It OK to Leave a Upper 2nd Molar Missing in my Situation?

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