Updated in July of 2026
Many patients lose a back molar at some point, whether from tooth decay, a broken tooth, trauma, or gum disease. Because a missing back molar usually doesn't show when you smile, you might assume you can skip replacing it.
But even when others can't see a missing back molar, replacing it still protects the health of the rest of your mouth. At our Burnaby, BC dental clinic, our dentists can walk you through your tooth replacement options after an extraction. Give us a call to schedule a consultation.
Why Replace a Back Molar?
The simple answer to this question is that even the loss of one, seemingly innocuous tooth can greatly impact the quality of your oral health. Once you’ve lost a tooth, you’ve taken away the support structure for the teeth adjacent to that tooth. The bone will begin to deteriorate, and the rest of your teeth will begin to compensate for the gap in your smile by shifting to fill it in. This leads to misalignment of your remaining teeth. It also puts you at a higher risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Ultimately, you may lose more teeth.
What Happens If You Don't Replace a Missing Back Molar?
Beyond the shifting and bone loss described above, an unreplaced back molar can also change how you chew. Molars handle most of the work of breaking down food, so losing one shifts extra chewing pressure onto your remaining teeth, causing them to wear unevenly over time. Some patients also notice changes in jaw alignment or bite comfort months or years after losing a back molar.
Replacement Options for Missing Teeth in Burnaby
The best time to replace a missing tooth is soon after you have had it extracted. Some of the options for replacing a missing tooth include:
- Dental implants—These permanent tooth replacements take the place of your tooth root by integrating with your gum after surgical implant. Topped with a dental crown after healing takes place, dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care.
- Dental bridges—This dental prosthetic fills in the gap left by a missing tooth. Attached to two dental crowns on either side of the space in your mouth, a dental bridge looks natural, enables you to chew properly, and protects the health of your remaining teeth.
If you’ve had to have a back molar extraction, talk to our Burnaby, BC dentists about tooth replacement options. Give us a call to make an appointment for a consultation.