When you have found a trusted dentist that you are comfortable with for your orthodontic treatment, he or she will go through a detailed process of diagnosis of your orthodontic issues.
The diagnosis is usually derived at after a careful study of your teeth, gums and jaws by physical as well as radiographic examination.
After the diagnosis is confirmed your dentist will then formulate orthodontic treatment options for you to consider.
One option could be an option that would involve extractions of teeth.
Another option may not involve any extractions at all!
It really depends on the severity of your crowding and whether or not your dentist would indicate for extracting teeth that are badly decayed or damaged, over healthy teeth.
In general , the premolar teeth or teeth closest to the area where the crowding is worst , is indicated for removal. But having said that, every case is unique and the extraction indications are fully tailored for the individual.
In your case, if you decide not to save your molar tooth with a root canal and crowning, and if you decide to extract the molar and go for orthodontic treatment after that, it may be difficult to close the molar gap with just braces alone.
An option maybe to straighten your remaining teeth with braces and to maintain the molar gap space for a dental implant in the future.
Your dentist will advise you on the pros and cons of the treatment options that would work best in your case!
I hope this information helps and all the best!
Kind Regards,
Dr Gerald Tan
