When I meet with my patients the first time during a braces consultation, one of the most common questions that I get asked is, "Why do I need teeth removed for my braces?" or "Why do you have to pull my child's teeth?" While tooth extraction can seem like a scary topic, it is often necessary for braces to work properly to give your child beautiful, straight teeth.
Everyone has two sets of teeth: primary, sometimes called baby teeth, and permanent, or adult, teeth. Primary teeth normally begin falling out when a child is five to six years old. These teeth will continue to fall out for the next several years in a fairly predictable order. Sometimes when teeth fall out too early or too late it can cause alignment problems. At the initial consultation, …show more content…
They may also present with roots that are curved or may be hypoplastic, where the teeth have less enamel than they should. Because these abnormal sizes and shapes can cause issues when trying to align the teeth, I often recommend tooth extraction in order for the jaw to better-accommodate the teeth. Removing these teeth for braces can result in more space in the mouth and proper alignment to occur.
Protrusion
Protrusion occurs when the upper teeth in the mouth extend too far forward or the lower teeth don't extend far enough. This can cause the upper teeth to be more susceptible to injuries and can result in a poor bite in the back of the mouth. Normally, protrusion occurs because of hereditary factors, such as jaw alignment. However, protrusion can also occur due to thumb and finger sucking.
The position of the lips is determined by the teeth that lie under them. Removing teeth from the mouth can result in the front teeth that protrude to move backward and allow the lips to have an improvement in posture. In some cases, my patients may have lips that look normal, but I still recommend tooth extraction to prevent the underlying crooked teeth from making the lips stick
Everyone has two sets of teeth: primary, sometimes called baby teeth, and permanent, or adult, teeth. Primary teeth normally begin falling out when a child is five to six years old. These teeth will continue to fall out for the next several years in a fairly predictable order. Sometimes when teeth fall out too early or too late it can cause alignment problems. At the initial consultation, …show more content…
They may also present with roots that are curved or may be hypoplastic, where the teeth have less enamel than they should. Because these abnormal sizes and shapes can cause issues when trying to align the teeth, I often recommend tooth extraction in order for the jaw to better-accommodate the teeth. Removing these teeth for braces can result in more space in the mouth and proper alignment to occur.
Protrusion
Protrusion occurs when the upper teeth in the mouth extend too far forward or the lower teeth don't extend far enough. This can cause the upper teeth to be more susceptible to injuries and can result in a poor bite in the back of the mouth. Normally, protrusion occurs because of hereditary factors, such as jaw alignment. However, protrusion can also occur due to thumb and finger sucking.
The position of the lips is determined by the teeth that lie under them. Removing teeth from the mouth can result in the front teeth that protrude to move backward and allow the lips to have an improvement in posture. In some cases, my patients may have lips that look normal, but I still recommend tooth extraction to prevent the underlying crooked teeth from making the lips stick