La Habra/Chino Hills, CA – The debate about tooth extractions (removal of teeth) for orthodontic treatment has been going on for decades. Orthodontists and dentists have their own opinions but how do you know if you should have teeth extracted before braces? Dr. Robert Gire explains his thoughts.
“At first glance for some patients, it may look like there is no chance the permanent teeth will have adequate space to erupt and to achieve good alignment. In those cases, tooth extractions may seem like the only way to get the perfect smile,” says Dr. Gire. “On the other hand, the eye may tell us a patient looks like there is plenty of space for braces to work to guide crowded and misaligned teeth to their ideal locations. But, sometimes an X-ray may show something different.”
The first step in orthodontic treatment is a consultation with an orthodontist. Radiographs or x-rays and photos will be taken during that consultation, showing the orthodontist a clear image of what is happening in the patient’s mouth. For adolescent patients, tooth extraction is often considered a last resort, because the jaws are still growing. Treatment can be used to guide jaw growth to allow for proper eruption of the permanent teeth. Braces can then be used to move the teeth to their ideal locations.
There are, however, some cases in which an orthodontist may deem tooth extraction necessary to achieve the ideal smile. They may include:
- Crowding – For some patients, there just isn’t enough room for all of the teeth to fit. For younger patients, Dr. Gire can work to guide the growth of the jaw to create enough room. For older patients whose jaws have stopped growing, surgery is an option. For some patients, it may be recommended that the number of teeth should be reduced to ensure bone stability and facial symmetry.
- Protruding teeth – If a bite makes the lips protrude, tooth extraction can allow for the front teeth to move back to their proper locations, thereby improving the positioning of the lips.
- Improving a bite – Some patients have a discrepancy in their jaw sizes, but surgery may not be an ideal solution. In this instance, extraction may be able to camouflage this issue and create a stable bite.
- Other reasons could include impacted teeth, midline shifts, extra teeth, or a lack of facial symmetry.
“The decision to remove teeth is never made lightly,” says Dr. Gire. “I prefer to not remove any teeth if at all possible. It may actually lengthen your time in orthodontic treatment, so we reserve it only for patients who we know really need it and we know the only way to achieve the best smile possible is through extractions.”
Dr. Gire has years of experience treating thousands of orthodontic patients using various orthodontic treatment options. Dr. Gire understands the importance of facial symmetry and support and only extracts teeth as a last resort. His patients can rest easy knowing he stays up to date on the latest treatments and technologies available to limit the amount of tooth removal.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Gire, call him today at 563-690-1199 (La Habra) or 909-393-9911 (Chino Hills).