To be depressed about missing molars

[Livingonacandlestick]

I am missing two molars, one on each side, I had large fillings in them and eventually had to get them extracted in my early 20s.

I am now in my mid 30s and it's something that worries me every day and causes me a lot of anxiety.

Dentists have told me that it's too late for implants because of bone loss. Is there actually anything that can be done? Doesn't help that I don't have much money.

I worry about my whole jaw sort of withering away and me being left a toothless old hag that nobody wants.

The missing molars aren't that visible unless I open my mouth wide. I feel like it's a horrible, shameful, dirty secret and that if I met someone they'd eventually find out and not want to be with me anymore. Which is silly really as I wouldn't think those negative things about someone else in the same position as me.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions? It would be greatly appreciated.

OP, my dentist has just told me I need my 2 front teeth removed. Unlikely that I’ll be a candidate for implants. I feel dreadful about it.

So, no advice but plenty of sympathy. It does sound like you’re situation is fairly private (in that no one will ever see or realise). It sounds more a problem for you emotionally than dentally. But I get the sense of failure / age /etc.

How odd, of course you can have implants.
You can have a bone graft if you haven’t got enough bone - sounds horrendous but I recently had it and it’s no big deal.
Maybe you have to have it done privately? Not sure if it’s on the nhs.

Can you get them put in with bridges?

I never had all my molars. Just one each side on the bottom and 2 each side on the top. No wisdom teeth, no pre-molars. I still have a baby tooth.

Lost one of the lower molars last year and have recently completed implant fitting. They should be able to do a bone graft if your jaw won’t support an implant.

You might be able to get a bridge. It's never appealed to me as you have to to trash the two healthy teeth each side to provide the support for the bridge.

Your jaw won't wither away from the loss of one tooth. Your best bet now is to be assiduous about cleaning and keep your teeth and gums in tip-top condition, then there's no need for you to lose any other teeth and you won't get that sunken cheek look.

Someone with an immaculate set of teeth healthy gums, sweet breath and two missing back teeth is a good deal more attractive than someone with stains between their teeth, puffy gums that bleed at the touch of a toothbrush, and sour breath.

(sorry I was feeling a bit woe is me and dramatic when writing that -- just venting more than anything really)

Sorry to hear that Saz12 -- would some kind of dentures be possible for you in that case? I am wondering if they might be an option for me too.

Yes get a bridge. I’m missing three teeth (2 just didn’t come through!) and feel insecure about it but have bridges/ plates and people say they wouldn’t be able to tell.

I’m missing a couple of molars… I can’t say it ever bothers me. Could be so much worse!

Do you have your wisdom teeth? I don't, because they were extracted when I was 21. (it was the fashion then). But I have never missed, them, and to be honest there is no spare space in my mouth for more teeth, so cannot imagine how crowded things would be if they were still there. What I'm saying is, have your other teeth not sort of spread themselves out to fill the gap?

I do have all of my wisdom teeth but they haven't sort of all moved to fill in the gap, no (I always wondered if they might, I sort of thought that's why we had wisdom teeth).

That's made me think of something else though -- could orthodontics be an option?

Dentist here. I agree it may be too late to get implants. The only way to find out is to get referred to an implant specialist and get radiograph and ct scan of bone/jaw. Then you'll know for definite.
Other options are 1. Maryland type bridge where you only need to shave off a small amount of the tooth next to it, then it gets bonded into place. Very conservative, but not always a permanent solution. 2. Conventional bridge, where the teeth next to it are filed down in order for the "shell" type abutment to be fitted over the top.

1. Denture- either a chrome or acrylic type. Chrome are more durable but a bit more expensive.

All three 1, 2 and 3 options above are normally available on the NHS.

Another private option would be a flexible denture, which is soft, moveable and almost transparent, but has good aesthetics.

You need to ask your dentist to list the options for you and get estimates if you pay for treatment

Oh, and orthodontics may be an option, but cannot tell without examining

Well, a colleague got braces in her late 20s, it was a lot slower than if she'd had the work done as a child. Say two years of wearing them. But yes it was possible.

I’m missing 2 molars and all my wisdom teeth. They never came through. But as all at the back not noticeable

@Changethetoner was that for missing teeth? Or you're just saying that older people can get braces in general?

Thank you very much @erictries you have given me the confidence to speak to a dentist about it.