Whether teeth need to be extracted for orthodontic treatment depends on the patient's dental condition.
For example, some patient would like to correct severe overcrowding, which is a case where there are too many teeth for the size of the upper and/or lower dental arch.
Extractions in these case are most likely to allow for relief of crowding. This will create space in the dental arch and allow the other teeth to be aligned correctly.
If extractions are needed, the ones that are frequently removed are the premolar teeth. Depending on the patient's dental condition, one to four teeth may be removed.
In some patients, when orthodontic treatment is done without extractions, it can result in the protrusion of one's front teeth and lips.
Other common cases that may require extractions before orthodontic treatment include:
- asymmetrical jaw
- diseased tooth
Therefore, it is important that you share your concerns with your trusted dentist/orthodontist so that he/she may do a detailed diagnosis of your condition and go through the pros and cons of the recommended treatment option.
Warm regards,
Dr May Ling Eide
