If I have a back tooth that is going to require extensive treatment to fix, wouldn’t I be better off just having it pulled since it doesn’t really show anyway?
If the tooth is periodontally sound (little or no gum disease) and you can afford the treatment, it is always better to save the tooth if the long-term prognosis is at least fair. Your back teeth are responsible for chewing, space maintenance, bone support, cheek support, and overall function of the mouth as it goes through its various movements. “Because it doesn’t show” is really irrelevant. If the tooth is removed and not replaced by some means, a “domino effect” will surely take place. If for example, the second tooth from the back on the lower right side of the mouth is lost, the back tooth will start to drift and lean forward. Also, the upper opposing tooth now has nothing to bite against and will start to drop down into the vacant space, possibly causing a host of other problems. These changes may take years and are usually not even noticed by the patient until a dentist points them out or symptoms occur.
