Teeth extraction is not compulsory for all individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment. However, there are certain cases where tooth extraction is necessary to get optimal orthodontic results. Orthodontists conduct a meticulous evaluation of each patient's dental condition to determine if extraction is needed or not. Here are instances where the oral health provider may recommend tooth extraction before getting braces:
Teeth Crowding
Crowding is the primary oral health concern that can hinder perfect teeth alignment. It happens when there are more teeth than the dental arches can accommodate. This results in misalignment due to insufficient space. Orthodontists often suggest tooth extraction or use an expander to widen the palate to address this issue. Teeth extractions yield excellent outcomes, particularly for adolescents. This is because their jaws have not fully hardened and can still be influenced through treatment.
Protruding Teeth
Protruding teeth can lead to various oral health and aesthetic concerns. They cause the lips to protrude, affecting the patient's speech, profile, and self-confidence. Tooth extraction is necessary in cases where certain teeth protrude significantly, and braces alone cannot reposition them effectively. This help to achieve a balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile.
Correcting Bite
Orthodontists may find that their patients have a mismatch between their lower and upper jaws. This may prevent the teeth from aligning properly. Orthodontists may need to perform surgery in more severe situations to address this issue. However, dentists may suggest teeth extractions in appropriate situations to enhance teeth alignment and compensate for the primary jaw discrepancy.
Impacted Teeth
Teeth that are impacted, like impacted wisdom teeth, may interfere with dental alignment procedures. Therefore, impacted teeth require extraction to avoid any interference during the orthodontic treatment journey.
In addition, a tooth with severe decay needs extraction before getting braces. The dentist will then proceed with aligning the remaining teeth. The vacant space left by the extracted tooth can be filled with healthy teeth, guided into position with the help of orthodontic appliances.