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The consequences of not replacing a missing posterior tooth
D A Shugars1, J D Bader, S W Phillips
1School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7450, USA. Dan_Shugars@dentistry.unc.edu
Journal of the American Dental Association (1939)
|September 15, 2000
Summary
Leaving a single posterior tooth space untreated may not cause significant tooth shifting or bone loss. Regular monitoring, rather than immediate replacement, might be sufficient for maintaining dental arch stability.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Oral Health
- Periodontology
Background:
- The nonreplacement of a missing posterior tooth is commonly believed to cause adverse effects.
- These effects include adjacent tooth migration and alveolar bone loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the actual extent of adverse outcomes in patients with untreated posterior bounded edentulous spaces (BES).
Main Methods:
- A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted.
- Radiographs of 111 patients with untreated posterior BES were analyzed.
- The median follow-up period was 6.9 years.
Main Results:
- Most patients experienced minimal tooth distance changes (≤1 mm).
- Opposing tooth extrusion was ≤1 mm in 99% of cases.
- Alveolar bone loss adjacent to the space was ≤1 mm in 83% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Patients with untreated single posterior BES did not show significant adverse consequences within the study period.
- Immediate treatment for a single posterior BES may not be critical for arch stability.
- Regular follow-up for monitoring stability and periodontal health is suggested.