Shifting a molar in adults - can it be done?

[mrbean]

Hi,

I am a 35 year old male.
I had my front molar in my upper jaw extracted because of a failed root canal.

I am about to start an orthodontic treatment.

My question is could the other two molars that are behind the gap be gradually moved forward in order to close the gap?

I have asked an orthodontist if it can be done. He said he will not do it since it might cause the teeth in the frontal side of the gap to move towards these two molars, and hence shift the center of my bite.

So I mentioned to his a technique called orthodontic implants, that lets shift a tooth without drawing the teeth on its other side. He said he does no use that technique.

He also said that there might be a problem of root resorption of those two molars.

I do know that for a lot of people molars naturally shift towards the gap when there is one, so I am still wondering why can't we do it in a controlled manner?

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My questions are:

1. Is there a way to safely move these two molars using an orthodontic implant?

2. How dangerous is the possibility of root resorption if these two molars will be shifted?

3. Is there any other technique to do the shifting that I have not considered?

Thank you in advance.

[drrick]

There are a lot of factors that relate to whether this can work or not.
If the tooth was extracted a while ago chances are not good as the bone has already resorbed and the teeth have to move thorough the bone.. You will likley not be able to move both molars, one at the most. Even with orthodontic mocroimplants you will still need braces. This movement is unpredictable at best. RR can be a factor with any movement and this is no exception.

It is far more predictable to have an implant placed where you are missing the molar.

[mrbean]

Thank you. It was extracted 5 years ago.

I've been told I could not have an implant there since my sinuses are too thin.

I did not think I would not need braces. I just thought the orthodontic implants would help.

Why would it not possible to move both molars?

[drrick]

You can likely get a sinus lift and still get an implant. That is a routine procedure that is often coupled with implant placement.

Chances are if the tooth was ext 5 years ago there is likely little to no hope that there is enough bone to safely bring the molar forward. It pretty much has to be done immediately after extraction for it to work.