AboutJoel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS Expertise I am a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and I am available to answer questions related to tooth extractions, implant insertion, facial recontruction, facial and oral tumor removal, TMJ dysfunction and various successful treatments, including surgery if all else fails, and occlusal discrepancy requiring orthognathic or jaw surgery.
Experience Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicine for over 20 years. Assistant Clincal Professor and State University School of Dentistry.
Organizations American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Education/Credentials BA
DMD
Awards and Honors National Honor Society (OKU), Philadelphia County Dental Society, Mosby Book Award, Oral Surgery Honors, Summa Cum Laude
Question hello, i am 25 years old and i will not be receiving my wisdom teeth. When the dentist took x rays he found that there are no wisdom teeth coming in. i was told that this is not common. I have to have my 2 main back teeth pulled on the left side due to neglect and fillings falling out. Will I be able to have an implant put in to replace atleast one of my mollars? Thank you.
Answer Jerry - Let me tell first that you are not so "special" in not developing wisdom teeth. I personally never developed lower wisdom teeth while I did develop an upper one on both the right and left. Secondly, even at age 25 regular dental X-rays cannot fully disclose whether impacted teeth are deep in the bone. I would suggest, just to confirm the lack of teeth, have your dentist send you to an orthodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon just to confirm that there are not teeth present by obtaining what is called a panoramic Xray. If the dentist already took a panoramic that takes the entire jaw then yes he is correct.
Now as far as implants, the only factor having any great influence of placing implants in the back of the lower jaw is the position of mandibular nerve that runs through the mandible. Implants can definitely be placed as long as there is enough bone height between the top of the jaw and the nerve. Again, I would suggest that a panoramic Xray be taken to find out just how much bone is available above the nerve to place an implant.
I hope all works out and you have enough bone for an implant and the wisdom teeth are not there. Don't let anyone place an implant without a panoramic Xray to fully define bone height. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me again.
