The molars are the first teeth that people may lose due to tooth decay. While we all know that the molars are located at the end of the dental arch, many people wonder whether removing a molar tooth would impact their facial midline. Read on to learn more about this subject.
What teeth extractions may have an effect on the facial midline?
It can be generally stated that the teeth that are closer to the facial midline have greater effects on the facial midline. In fact, the second molar, the first molar, and sometimes the second bicuspid have the greatest effects on the facial midline. After the second bicuspid, the teeth have smaller effects. Since the cuspid is the farthest molar, its extraction does not much affect the facial midline.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the second molar, the first molar, and the second bicuspid have the greatest effects and the cuspid, while the lateral incisor, and the central incisor, which are among the last teeth on the dental arch, have the smallest effects of the facial midline. Keep in mind that the front teeth will always have the most obvious effects.
Studies on the effects of molar teeth extraction on the facial midline
It is very important to have a well-aligned facial midline. The extraction of one of our molars may have a significant impact on our appearance. Although studies have shown that the extraction of teeth 2 through 4 affects the facial midline, more studies have reported the relationship between the extraction of molar teeth and the facial midline deviation.
To evaluate the significant facial midline deviation, the profile photos of 200 male and female students aged 18 to 30 years who did not have a missing tooth were scanned on a computer screen. The intended distances were measured and recorded using a specialized computer program. The distance between the facial midline and the surface of central damages was read on the screen.
This deviation ranged between 0 and 1 mm in 44.4% of boys and 55% of girls, 1 and 2 mm in 54% of boys and 33% of girls, and 2 and 3 mm in 37% of boys and 8% of girls. Maxillary and mandibular teeth could not properly fit together in 80% of the study population and the deviation between the facial midline and the front teeth ranged between 0 and 1 mm in most of them.
Role of missing teeth in the facial midline deviation
Our jaws are undoubtedly smaller than those of our forefathers. Some teeth are lost as a result of the shrinking jaws of today’s humans.
Some individuals, for example, are missing their second molar (No. 2). There are two types of this condition: one-sided and two-sided. A missing second molar on one side may cause facial midline deviation. When there is an impacted canine, the remainder of the teeth shift into the gap, resulting in this condition.