Do I Need Teeth Extracted Before Braces?
Long Beach, CA – To extract or not to extract – that is the question. At least, it is an often hotly debated topic in the orthodontic world. For years, many dentists believed that extracting teeth was the best option to correct severe crowding issues. But that isn’t always the case. So, how do you know when extractions are the right plan or when another treatment option can render better results?
Why You Should Choose a Board-Certified Orthodontist
Start by researching and finding a board-certified, highly-trained orthodontist. You want to work with an orthodontist who has completed plenty of successful orthodontic cases and has experience with a variety of malocclusions.
Your orthodontist’s goal is to provide each patient with the care that is right for them. No case is identical to another, so no one should receive a cookie-cutter braces treatment plan. By choosing a board-certified orthodontist who creates carefully planned and individualized treatment plans, you’ll know you are receiving the right orthodontic treatment for your issue. For most patients, this means examining all options before extracting teeth.
But, are there times when extractions are recommended before getting braces or Invisalign?
When Might an Orthodontist Recommend Extractions?
While the following diagnoses do not always indicate extractions are necessary, the most common reasons an orthodontist may consider extractions are:
- Severe crowded teeth (Overcrowding)
- Too many teeth – in some cases, people are born with extra teeth
- Impacted teeth that are ankylosed (fused to the bone) or in a poor position, unable to bring into place
- Jaw that is too small to allow for the teeth to properly fit
- Teeth that are too big or abnormally shaped
- Teeth that are damaged beyond repair by decay or periodontal bone loss
When deciding on extraction, we consider how best to ensure the remaining teeth can fit into their ideal positions while maintaining facial structure and preserving proper tongue position and airway. Comprehensive x-rays and dental scans will help us determine the placement of each tooth so that we can make the right plan to achieve your ideal bite and perfect smile. At HD Orthodontics, we can use your dental scan to show you a simulation of what your teeth will look like aligned with and without extractions, so you can make an informed decision about your smile.
We never take the decision to extract teeth lightly. If we believe that the ideal results cannot be achieved any other way, or that the results may be unstable without it, extractions may be recommended. Our goal is to create not just a more beautiful smile, but a bite that is stable and healthy, as well. And sometimes, extractions can help us ensure that.
Non-Extraction Options – Alternatives to Removing Teeth – Mouth Expansion vs Removing Teeth
In younger patients who have the advantage of continued growth, we have a lot more options, as we can take advantage of jaw growth to make space for the teeth. For this reason, we do recommend that all children are seen as early as age 7 to evaluate them and see if they would benefit from early interceptive treatment. Appliances called palatal expanders can help us guide the growth of the jaw to allow the teeth to properly fit. Unfortunately, for adult patients who are done growing, there are less options when severe crowding exists, as you cannot expand fully matured bone. For adults who don’t want teeth extracted, jaw surgery may provide an alternative.
How Can I know If Extractions for Braces is Needed?
While you may not be sure whether extractions could be in your future, the best way to know for sure is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified orthodontist. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment planning, so the best way to know how to help you achieve your ideal smile is by receiving treatment from a well-trained orthodontist. We have the knowledge and the skill to know which course of treatment will be right for your unique smile.