I totally get where you’re coming from about the cost—those numbers are wild. But I do think it can be a bit of a gamble leaving a gap, especially with molars. I skipped replacing a molar for a couple years too, and it was fine at first... until my other teeth started shifting. Suddenly my bite felt weird, and I started getting headaches I’d never had before. My dentist explained it’s not always an immediate thing—it can take years for the issues to show up.
That said, I get not wanting to shell out thousands if you’re not seeing any problems right now. It’s just tough because sometimes the problems sneak up on you later. I wish dental stuff wasn’t so expensive—nobody should have to choose between their teeth and their rent. Just sharing my experience in case it helps someone else weigh the risks.
- Had both: wisdom teeth out in college, then lost a molar a few years later.
- Wisdom teeth removal = chipmunk face and living on applesauce for a week.
- Losing a molar didn’t hurt as much, but now my other teeth are slowly drifting like they’re on vacation.
- Dentist says, “replace it or else,” but my wallet says, “maybe next year…”
- Honestly, I’d rather do wisdom teeth again—at least you know what you’re in for and it doesn’t mess with your bite long-term (usually).
- Dental bills are wild though. Why does it cost more to fix a tooth than fix my car?
Honestly, reading this makes me feel a bit better about my own dental anxiety. I’ve got a molar hanging on by a thread, and every time I think about getting it yanked, my wallet starts sweating. The “drifting teeth” thing is wild—I always assumed if you lost one tooth, the others would just chill in place. Guess not. Dental bills are brutal though... I swear my last cleaning cost more than my phone bill. Appreciate the real talk—it helps to know I’m not the only one dreading the dentist’s chair (and the bill).
The drifting teeth thing really does catch people off guard—I used to think the same until my dentist showed me on an x-ray how my teeth were shifting after I lost a premolar. It’s wild how much one missing tooth can mess with your bite over time. As for the anxiety, you’re definitely not alone there. I put off dealing with a cracked molar for months because the thought of the bill made my stomach drop. Dental costs are just out of hand, and insurance barely covers anything major.
One thing I’d push back on, though: sometimes leaving a “dangling” molar is riskier (and pricier) in the long run. The longer it sits there, the more likely you’ll get infection or bone loss, which can mean even more work down the line. I get wanting to avoid the chair, but sometimes biting the bullet early saves a ton of hassle.
If you do end up needing an extraction, I’d ask about payment plans or sliding scales—some offices are surprisingly flexible if you mention cost is a concern. Not a perfect solution, but it helps a bit.
I get where you’re coming from about not leaving a bad tooth hanging around, but I’ve actually seen people rush into extractions and end up regretting it later—especially with molars. Sometimes, if the tooth isn’t infected or causing pain, a dentist might be able to save it with a crown or root canal. I know those aren’t cheap either, but losing a molar can mess up your bite for years, like you said. I guess it really depends on the situation and what your dentist thinks is possible.
