Q: What are my options? I want to go with an implant ASAP on molar #30. Should I wait for molar #31 to give me pain before having it removed? I’m hoping to get at least another year or two out of molar #31 before the implant. Thank you so much. Your work is highly appreciated. Sincerely, John R.
A: Tooth #30 needs an implant according to what you are conveying here on this forum.
You also mentioned tooth #31 needs extraction. As a general rule, we recommend extracting a tooth that is next to an implant site if it has a poor prognosis, so as to avoid having a neighboring tooth spread an infection to a new implant. Consider having the extraction site treated with an ND/YAG laser at the time of extraction. Faster and better healing.