# Can you chew with 3 missing molars **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 3, 2014, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300 "2014-04-03T23:41:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![belladee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@belladee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladee)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/41 "2014-04-29T16:44:56Z")
> [@diggerwam](#): > > All 4 wisdom teeth gone and all 4 molars gone. They have gone over the past 20 plus years. No trouble eating. I assume that my teeth will continue to get worse but im not too concerned. Im in mid 40’s right now. At this rate I will probably get fakes by the time im in my 60’s. Yeah, not real worried. do you eat on the gum? what do you mean all 4 gone? like 4 on one side? or one im each quadrant ---
**Author:** ![diggerwam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/919ad9/32.png) [@diggerwam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggerwam)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/42 "2014-04-30T01:21:40Z")
All 4 wisdom and the next furthest back on each quadrant. No trouble whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/43 "2014-04-30T01:56:03Z")
> [@diggerwam](#): > > All 4 wisdom and the next furthest back on each quadrant. No trouble whatsoever. actually you have two molars in each quadrant besides the wisdom teeth for a total of 12 so should still have your four first molars. First molars give a fair amount more chewing than the seconds. The thirds give very little chewing. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/44 "2014-04-30T02:09:23Z")
> [@belladee](#): > > We actually tried this recently. The tooth was ok about 15 minutes of it being off. i asked him to narrow the crown a little and he did hoping that would stop the poking feeling. > > It is the crown as far as i am concerned, for sure. I think it may be that I am hypersensitive to it. > > Last time they put on the crown, after the endo looked at it… i did not bite down hard when they cemented it… and it feels a BIT better, with the crown not being so “deep”.i had the back bite adjusted just yesterday since the new positioning left it a little high in the back. > > . i am wondering if i dont bite at all if that will solve the problem? > I called today and the assistant said if i dont bite down when they cement it, then there will be a space at the margin and bacteria will get in. yeah you need to bite when cementing. If you had immediate relief when the crown was off then it really appears to be the crown not the nerve. Is it a porcelain fused to metal crown or an all base metal(silver colored)crown? Sometimes the metal in them may have nickel in it and some people are sensitive to it. If it is an all porc. or gold crown this would not apply. If it is not the metal then I would consider it a function of the shape/size of the crown. When they recemented it after checking they should have used temporary cement(at least I would have). If so should be real easy to take it off and put a temp. crown on. No problem with a temp would mean a free remake in my office since it is obviously then the crown. If not free would he consider a redo for just the lab fee? ---
**Author:** ![belladee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@belladee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladee)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/45 "2014-04-30T13:38:53Z")
it is temp cemented and it is all porcelain. He feels the crown is “perfect” Here is the other thing… I dont think i mentioned it since i was just asking about eating. But i had the same problems with the temporary… the poking in the front area… same … so i dont know. Now the 1st crown and 1 temp i had from the other dentist did not have the poking… it was over coutored and the gum could not grow back. the new ones solved that in days. But started issues with pain, discomfort ☹ ---
**Author:** ![belladee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@belladee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladee)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/46 "2014-04-30T13:40:07Z")
> [@diggerwam](#): > > All 4 wisdom and the next furthest back on each quadrant. No trouble whatsoever. I have my wisdom and the futhest back out too. It is a total non issue, but this one would be the big molar infront of those 2. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/47 "2014-04-30T13:56:24Z")
Speaking from experience - yes, you can. I did it for years, but now have implants. It sucks and it fucks up your teeth, but it in no way prevented me from eating anything. ---
**Author:** ![belladee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@belladee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladee)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/48 "2014-04-30T14:53:45Z")
> [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > Speaking from experience - yes, you can. I did it for years, but now have implants. It sucks and it fucks up your teeth, but it in no way prevented me from eating anything. how did it mess up your teeth? they tell me that my teeth will shift and supererrupt… but my mom and a friend they have missing molars with none of those problems. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/49 "2014-04-30T18:12:56Z")
> [@belladee](#): > > how did it mess up your teeth? they tell me that my teeth will shift and supererrupt… but my mom and a friend they have missing molars with none of those problems. You just end up chewing with some teeth a lot more than they’re meant to and it can cause some inflammation and pain, as well as increased likelihood of cracking a filling (again, this is just my experience). ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/50 "2014-04-30T21:44:15Z")
Not while I’m walking. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/51 "2014-05-01T03:35:05Z")
> [@belladee](#): > > it is temp cemented and it is all porcelain. He feels the crown is “perfect” > > Here is the other thing… I dont think i mentioned it since i was just asking about eating. But i had the same problems with the temporary… the poking in the front area… same … so i dont know. > Now the 1st crown and 1 temp i had from the other dentist did not have the poking… it was over coutored and the gum could not grow back. the new ones solved that in days. But started issues with pain, discomfort ☹ sure sounds like it is a function of the size/shape of the crown which would mean new one or extract which you have been debating. Never hurts to ask for another one at no charge or for lab fee only > [@belladee](#): > > how did it mess up your teeth? they tell me that my teeth will shift and supererrupt… but my mom and a friend they have missing molars with none of those problems. Teeth shifting/supraerupting is a function of ones occlusion/bite. Some folks get a lot of movement and some people none. shifting generally is from back to front so usually removing most posterior teeth doesn’t cause shifting. supraeruption just have to see. No way to know ahead of time ---
**Author:** ![belladee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@belladee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladee)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/52 "2014-05-01T22:24:22Z")
> [@rsat3acr](#): > > sure sounds like it is a function of the size/shape of the crown which would mean new one or extract which you have been debating. Never hurts to ask for another one at no charge or for lab fee only ok here is my last question and thank you so much for helping me! the dentist has mentioned that the prep for the cown was done low… and i do feel poking low… and since i cant do thing where i dont bite down so that the crown would sit higher then… is there a way to build up the tooth so that the crown will be sitting saftely higher? like an easy way? or any way really? i hope that makes sense sorry no spell check on this pc…lol ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2014, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/53 "2014-05-01T22:53:15Z")
I think by “done low” means that a part of the crown extends into the gum irritating it. Usually the edge/margin of the crown is right at or slightly below the gum. Most of the time it isn’t a problem, sometimes especially if it is overcontoured(to thick) it can be a problem. Not biting on seating wouldn’t help, then the bit would be high and it would cause pain on biting/chewing. Can’t really add to the tooth to change how the crown sits because the impression was taken of the original prep. Any change would mean the crown wouldn’t fit. Could the doc shorten the margins of the crown to avoid contact with the gums? This might leave a little prepped tooth exposed but that might not be a problem. Happy to help, if I’m not understanding of if I’m not explaining well please feel free to keep asking I assure you I don’t mind. ---
**Author:** ![belladee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@belladee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladee)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2014, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/54 "2014-05-02T13:35:23Z")
If i dont bite he can lower the top and then maybe that will solve it… as long as its not a bacteria getting in issue… i think im going to try that if bacteria wont get in it seems like an easy thing to try for a fix. And the build up would mean a whole new prep and crown? right? hes narrowed up the bottom a bit that didnt help i just think the crown is too close to my sensitive tooth and gum and it needs to be elevated more? ahhh so over it. your awesome btw… thanks for the help, i really appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2014, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300/55 "2014-05-03T01:25:27Z")
new build up would mean at least a new impression not really a new prep since it would still be prepped but changed. You are welcome, glad to help anytime. Hope you get it worked out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-chew-with-3-missing-molars/685300.md?page=2)