The orthodontist has recommended surgery, some extractions, and braces for up to 2 years. I am alittle concerned about all of this for a 12 year old. Are we doing the right thing by going ahead?? It's alot of money, but we will do it if necessary. Is there any other views that I am not aware of?
2007-01-16 11:29:26 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
Compacted teeth hurt, and they can rot if you don't get them out of the gums. She can't brush them when they're compacted... which is definitely not good for her. You're doing the right thing by going ahead with it. She might not like it when it's happening, but in the long run will be very thankful. I have compacted wisdom teeth and I'd love for someone to pay for me to get surgery... they hurt!
2007-01-16 11:32:03 · answer #1 · answered by * 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the impacted cuspids remain there, they will eventually become fuse to the bone. They aren't coming in without a little professional help. Yes, it is expensive, but it's all worth it, especially for your daughter during the most difficult of all, the adolescent years. I have worked in the ortho end of this treatment for many years and through many patients. It's a long slow process, but the end results are worth the work, time and effort. At her age it is very common to go ahead with, she is still in her growth pattern which makes it easier to retrieve the canines.
The surgery is probably to remove a couple of her bi's or deciduous teeth, and uncover the end of the canines. Then the surgeon will attach a bracket with a chain attached to it. Then the orthodontist will attach the arch wire to the chain using gentle, constant, force to pull the canines into their correct position. During this time a space will be maintained in the arch for the teeth while the bite is being corrected or held in position. The surgery for this procedure is very simple and healing time is actually faster for the canines (the tissue heals back over quickly) than for the extractions areas. Most patients say the procedure was just uncomfortable for a couple of days not painful.
The most important thing to look at right now is her age, and the fact that it is not uncommon or odd to have braces these days. Everybody has them it seems. But it is terrible for the child who doesn't, or can't have treatment, and really needs it. They are the ones who suffer from the ridicule and taunting from other kids, and still have to look into the mirror every day. Hope I was of some help, good luck!
2007-01-16 13:10:00 · answer #2 · answered by HeatherS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Canines are the cornerstone of the mouth and are very important to maintaining a proper bite or occlusion. Having canines allows for something called canine guidance. This is where when you move your jaw from side to side the canines glide over each other and open up the back teeth. This is a protective function that prevents you from placing too much lateral force on your back teeth. They also aid in anterior guidance - where when you move your lower jaw forward along your upper teeth the front teeth move forward and down and the back teeth separate. This is another protective function.
If you leave the canines impacted in the bone, depending on their position there can be long term effects of cyst formation and possible erosion of roots of other teeth due to the impacted canine placing pressure on those roots. Also the longer you leave the teeth in bone the more chance that they can become ankylosed or fused to bone and will be unable to moved into place.
Even though it seems like alot of time, surgery, and expense - it will be well worth it in the end. Your daughter will have a beautiful smile but more importantly she will have a lifetime of a proper bite with built in protective functions. Please don't worry about the surgical procedure to uncover the teeth. Your daughter is young and will heal like a superstar. Good luck and rest assured you are dong the absolute best for your child
2007-01-16 12:43:42 · answer #3 · answered by lohse_perkins 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same situation and a space between my front teeth besides. They pulled the baby canine when I was 11 so the adult tooth could come in, and I ended up having braces for three years, one month and 18 days (I had bad buck teeth). But today, my teeth look beautiful and I get a lot of compliments on my smile. I'm very glad my parents had all the work done.
2007-01-16 18:32:16 · answer #4 · answered by Katherine W 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems that you have gotten the reccomendation of a trained professional, but now you are asking for a second opinion from the general public ?
That is very risky, you will get anyone's opinion in here, so that would mean you could be acting on the advice of someone who knows nothing about teeth over the advice of someone who has probably been to school, and has had years of experience.
You get my point ?
2007-01-16 11:33:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
consider your daughter....i needed braces and other dental procedures when i was younger, but we had no insurance and couldn't afford it. i was so self-concious about my teeth that there is not a single picture of me smiling with my teeth showing from around 12 years up until after high school when my now-husband showed me that I could be beautiful without being perfect. But I'm still self-concious and am preparing to go through all those procedures now. The teenage years are cruel and anything you can do to make it a little easier on your daughter will help her make it through them in one whole, healthy piece.
2007-01-16 11:35:07 · answer #6 · answered by Eowyn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had this surgery done and it wasnt that bad. I was 18 when i had it though as my dentist didnt catch it till then. The hours after the surgery are a bit sore but really i am so happy i had it done , if i didnt the maybe by my 30s or 40s my baby teeth may have fallen out and it would be to late to have the surgery as they wont move down like they do when your young, go and get it done it is worth it
2007-01-17 10:43:58 · answer #7 · answered by jdp1406 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋