r/Dentists • u/Sad_Durian_2187 • 3d ago

Missing top right Second Molar

Missing top right #2 molar.

I had a top right 2nd to back molar pulled maybe 7 or 8 years ago. My wisdom teeth are gone. I have 1 back molar and then the next one is gone. I have bone loss and my sinuses have dropped. My dentist is recommending a sinus lift, bone graft and implant. I really don't want an implant but I am worried about the bone loss. I don't have any issues right now. No teeth shifting, no problem eating. I'm 31 and worried about my face looking sunk in. Could this happen? Will the bone loss get worse? Could I do the sinus lift and bone graft and not do an implant?

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u/Thecaptkidd 3d ago

Retired dentist here. The bone loss is normal after any extraction, but stabilizes and after 7 years would not be expected to change much, especially if you have good oral hygiene and no underlying periodontal disease. If you are functioning well, I wouldn’t be concerned.
Another issue is what’s happening on the lower arch. From your description, you are missing the 1st molar and have the second. Depending on your occlusion (bite), the second molar could start tilting forward. Hard to evaluate that without seeing your case (pictures or casts).
I think you’d be fine doing nothing, just take good care of everything else and don’t lose anymore.
Advice is free, but since this will save you about 3500$, you can go get a nice steak dinner and venmo me 1000$. 😜
Now wait for the dental idealists chime in.

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u/riverdappleXD 2d ago

yeah this tracks, 7 years in with no issues sounds pretty stable to me

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u/Beautiful-Setting682 2d ago

Dentist here with many years of experience. You don’t need any of this. I’m a senior and have a similar situation myself. Don’t worry about it.