Hi! Need some advice please. My daughter is 11 and needs braces, she has a little bit of everything with her teeth; overcrowding, crooked, overbite, etc.
One ortho said he would have to extract 4 molars, and he doesn't do a palate expander. The other Ortho said - "no problem, no need for teeth extracting, she will benefit from the palate expander to make room for teeth movement.
My husband and I have also had braces when kids and we had teeth pulled as well. Funny enough, the first ortho we consulted with is the same ortho that did my husband's braces years ago!! He is very well in his late 70's or early 80's, although he looks really good and still has a great rep with his practice. The other ortho, i know my cousins had braces with and were very satisfied. I'm only asking if you think i should go for teeth extracting or not, it looks like it can be done either way, my daughter, doesn't want her teeth pulled though. Thanks!!!!!!!
2006-10-18 08:09:02 · 7 answers · asked by shortcake441 1 in Health ➔ Dental
Thank you, i'm just so confused. The first ortho recommended to extract the first bicuspids (all four), he worries that her teeth may move around a lot in the future if these teeth are not pulled.
The second ortho said the palate expander will work w/o pulling teeth, that she has a bit of a narrow upper jaw as it is. One of my friend's daughter also works with an ortho, and says that there are more new techniques used in Orthodontics and less or no teeth need to be pulled nowadays. She advises me not to have her teeth pulled.
I'm thinking if teeth are pulled, sure they may move around in the future, but if they're not pulled, they may overcrowd? I don't think changes will be dramatic in the future, but i'm so confused! Of course, her wisdom teeth may need to be taken out as she reaches adulthood.
Thank you for your advice!
2006-10-18 08:25:47 · update #1
Thank you for the helpful responses, this truly helps us! Dr. Sam. maybe it's a good idea if I consult with one more ortho -- Tweety Bird, you're absolutely right, if she doesn't want her teeth pulled, then what for,,I had my teeth pulled for my braces and wasn't happy, I didn't have a choice -- Beach Crazed, I will once again ask about working w/o teeth extr. or palate expanders, my bro had the expander and hated it, until if finally came off -- Tomh311, I'm with you on the age thing, I've heard it seems like the younger ortho's do have newer techniques that the older ortho's just have not kept up with, i hear they don't pull teeth unless it's absolutely necessary with no other option.
Thank you all for your input, greatly appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-10-18 08:46:33 · update #2
I'm a dentist.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, ENOUGH WITH THE SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH, AND FIFTH OPINIONS!!
Extraction of the first (or second) premolars is a very common treatment that has little if any ill effect. Yes, it's better to keep them, but for heaven's sake, if your daughter's orthodontist recommends it, do it!
2006-10-18 14:19:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your worried, get a second opinion, it never hurts. If another doctor agrees I would go ahead and have it done. Well actually, I did have it done. I have a samller mouth, and it was getting in the way of having good looking teath. It was the right decision for me and I'm sure won't hurt your daughter. It's not very painful, and recovery is fast. It won't inhibit her in anyway, and can only help improve her results with braces. Just make sure that your doctor knows what he's talking about.
2006-10-19 14:51:04 · answer #2 · answered by Heather D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No no no! When I was her age, they said I needed the same thing...but don't be fooled..they NEVER truly need to be removed. My mom told the orthodontist to take a hike. My dentist said the orthodontist was crazy for wanting to remove my molars. Also, no need for a palate expander either. I was told I needed one, but my mom got a second opinion and they said "Whoever told you that was an idiot. We don't believe in doing those anymore to anyone."
Palate expanders are extremely painful. Get different opinions from different orthodontists if you can. A GOOD one should say no to both molar extractions and the palate expander.
2006-10-18 15:16:53 · answer #3 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you said right on when you noted the older doc's age. extractions are obviously a more aggressive approach used by older orthodontists. younger orthodontists don't do as many extractions. that said i work with a young orthodontist and i do his extraction patients about once a month. sometimes there are just too many teeth for the amount of real estate available in the mouth.
i'd go with the younger doc regardless of who says what anyways.
2006-10-18 15:22:12 · answer #4 · answered by tomh311 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your daughter doesn't want her teeth extracted so why not go with the expander option. I have seen this done and it does work. Good luck with your decision.
2006-10-18 19:35:31 · answer #5 · answered by mickeymaz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two professionals who have examined your daughter and seen her x-rays can not agree, so you will not be able to get an informed opinion here. Sorry.
There are many means to an end and they just see it differently. Extracting 2nd molars is an accepted practice, in case you have not heard of it before.
2006-10-18 15:12:04 · answer #6 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your daughter doesn't want extractions then the answer is obvious, don't you think?
2006-10-18 15:13:51 · answer #7 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋