Although they’re largely hidden when a patient smiles, the rear molars play an important role in chewing function. Therefore, patients want to replace lost molars with a complete tooth structure whenever possible to preserve that functionality.
Dental implants have become the preferred method for tooth replacement because they replicate the entire tooth, including the root. As a result, dental implants are more effective at chewing because they’re able to withstand the forces applied to the teeth in this action.
When the rear molars need to be replaced, the location of these teeth can present a challenge to an implant dentist. The jawbone atrophies most quickly at the rear of the mouth; therefore some patients may find that they don’t have sufficient bone material to facilitate the integration between the titanium implant and the jaw.
In the lower jaw, the implant dentist may also face challenges in working around the delicate nerve structures at the rear of the mouth, and the site can be difficult to access. An experienced implant dentist should be able to overcome this obstacle, though.
To improve your chances of success when choosing dental implants to replace lost molars, pursue the implant placement surgery as soon as possible after the molars are extracted or lost. This will help to minimize bone loss prior to the procedure.
Patients who have delayed implant placement until bone loss has already occurred still can be candidates for dental implants, though. The implant dentist can perform a bone graft in advance of implant placement to give the patient supplemental bone to support the implant.
If you are looking for a lifelong replacement for your missing back molars, consider the dental implant. Contact our office today to learn more about what you can expect from dental implant treatment in your unique case.