Question about having a tooth removed

[midgeycatsmum]

Just wondering if anyone can advise me - my teenager needs to have a molar removed and our dentist seems a bit panicky - I really want to know what will happen to his teeth afterwards, she mentioned the other teeth moving to fill up the space, but she seemed really worried about this. Does anyone have any advice on what will happen?

@midgeycatsmum , to my limited understanding in younger people when a tooth is removed it will move to fill any space.
I always think it’s so much better to pose questions like this to a professional. X

So not a wisdom tooth but a molar? In theory once you remove the molar the other teeth may shift (because there's room for them to move). This could cause a bite problem and/or not be cosmetically pleasing.

I don't know how likely that is to happen but I guess it is possible.

I'd ask the dentist what she would suggest. If you can't save the tooth and it has to be removed, what are your options? Implant?

I guess so :-( I'm just googling prices, blimey!

I had a molar removed when I was about 20 (now 47). I still have a gap where it was but over the years the gap has got smaller as the other teeth have moved a bit closer together.

OK, that's a bit less panicky than my dentist, thank you! My DH has actually had a molar out (years ago now) and nothing much seems to have happened (although I know that everyone is different and he was much older than our son when he had it done). Just thinking out loud there!

Basically, my son doesn't fancy having a root canal, and I want to have a proper think about the consequences of an extraction beforehand.

If it needs to be removed then do it. But I wouldn't be using a dentist who looks 'a bit panicky'.
Could you get a second opinion. Panicky dentists are not a good sign.
If the jaw is still growing you'd need to wait before considering an implant anyway. But it probably won't be necessary. If the other teeth around it are healthy. The wisdoms come through and push the other teeth as well, and that can take many years. Mine came through in my 30s.
If there is any kind of conservative treatment instead that should be considered before removal, which is a last resort. It depends if it's due to decay or could be the teeth are too crowded.

Root canals have a lifespan and inevitably fail, usually involving them developing an abscess. They also need a crown, which can crack and need replacing. Probably best to save up for an implant if that's possible.

I had a molar removed when I was 14. The other teeth moved over and mostly filled the gap (the gap is larger behind the teeth than in front) enough that dentists don't realise that there's a molar missing. They're all on a bit of a slant though, which I'm not keen on.