Lower first molar removed. Feel cheated and depressed. Please help.

Question

My lower first molar was perfectly fine but the gum below had swollen and got infected. The dentist said the only way is to remove the molar.feel I was rushed into it. Tooth gone,Infection has subsided and got my impacted wisdom tooth out. Just after a month, he says he can start with the implant. I don’t have any trust on this doctor. Can you please suggest correct treatment and timeline.. What are the advantage/ disadvantage of having a bridge at lower first molar. Looking for guidance. TIA.

Calvin Jung, MD · Answer

Im sorry you feel cheated, you can always choose a different provider to improve your patient doctor relationship.  Keep in mind an implant/bridge will require multiple appointments so you want to be with someone that you trust.  Single tooth implants are great in that it doesn't not need the neighboring teeth that a bridge would.  Thus if anything were to go wrong with the bridge you would end up having to fix multiple teeth vs with a single tooth implant you would just be replacing one tooth.  If you do not have any fillings on the adjacent teeth, then it is also best to leave them alone as they are truly the best substance/material to withstand the daily changes in the oral cavity!Speak with a provider that you trust! It will put your mind at ease!

Lance Timmerman, DMD, MAGD · Answer

There is nothing wrong with a dental bridge, we do them all the time.  However, the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth must be prepared to support the bridge.  Keeping things clean will take more work, flossing access is limited.  Also, should decay set in on ONE of the teeth, the entire bridge must be replaced.The implant is a much superior choice and will last the longest, but a bridge is fine too.

Sean Mohtashami, DDS · Answer

Hello!It's unfortunate you had a bad experience with your dentist. If you have no trust in your current dentist, you should go somewhere else. You'll always be questioning if what your current dentist is suggesting is the right/best thing and that's no way to go forward with a dentist/patient relationship.Without an exam and x-ray it is difficult to determine or say what the best course of treatment would have been for you. If there was severed decay and infection the tooth should have been removed and infection cleaned out. As for the dental implant, you do not have to proceed unless you want to. Bridges are perfectly acceptable and usually a less expensive alternative to an implant. The only downside I see to a dental bridge is that sometimes it can negatively affect the abutting teeth. Don't feel rushed into making any decision you are not comfortable with.  I suggest getting a copy of the x-ray for a more detailed opinion and  set up a consultation for a second opinion with another dentist.Good luck!

Paul Binon, DDS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Trust in your dentist/prosthodontist is an essential part of the doctor-patient relationship. It’s perfectly natural for you to feel this way following a last-minute tooth extraction. You need to have a say in your dental care and to feel comfortable with the individual in charge of your oral health.
A dental bridge is a tried and true way to restore your missing tooth. However, dental implants offer a more natural look and don’t require the adjacent teeth to be prepared for a bridge. Dental implants mimic the look and feel of your natural teeth, and you can care for them by simply brushing and flossing as you normally would. 
  
The best thing you can do right now is to schedule a consultation with a prosthodontist to discuss your options and see if they are a better fit for you.  
  
Best of luck! 
  
Paul Binon DDS, MSD and FAO&mdash;implant dentist and ACP-accredited prosthodontist

Kourosh Maddahi, DDS · Answer

Hi:Sorry about the way you feel.  The main advantage of an implant is that the adjacent teeth are not touched.  When doing a bridge the teeth on both sides of the missing teeth are shaved down and crowned.  If your adjacent teeth are healthy its best to get an implant.Best,Dr. Maddahi

Lower first molar removed. Feel cheated and depressed. Please help.

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Lower first molar removed. Feel cheated and depressed. Please help.

Answers (5)

Answer: Dental Implants with a Dentist You Trust

Answer: Dental Implants with a Dentist You Trust

Answer: First molar removed

Answer: First molar removed

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Everything you need to know about Dental Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.