NHS Braces - pulling teeth???

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DD13 has seen an NHS Orthodontist and they said she qualifies for NHS braces, however they would have to remove two teeth in order to make room for the teeth to be aligned and the braces to work.

I am really shocked, removing two absolutely healthy teeth? These are adult not baby teeth! However the orthodontist assured me it was common practice.

Has anyone had to go through this sort of procedure, and did it work? What happens if they are wrong they can't put the teeth back can they?

The other option would be Invisalign, really expensive we'd be really stretched but would do it if need be...

Any advice?

Very common.

Yes, it's standard. It creates the room for the other teeth to move into!

Really common. I had mine removed 30 years ago too.

Very common but not great practice and there are other ways to do this procedure.

Both my DDs had four teeth removed. Definitely worth it - they have lovely teeth now.

It can alter the profile of the face.

I had 4 taken out. And I still had to have my wisdoms out a decade later!

My dd had 1 baby tooth and 2 adult teeth removed for braces

Yes very common as usually the need for braces is due to over-crowding. Mine all needed teeth pulled for braces. They all have lovely straight teeth & proper aligned bites now.

When I was a child I had to have 4 healthy teeth out before my braces and it was run off the mill then. My DD however had various devices - one to bring her lower jaw forward, another to make her jaw a bit wider, before her brace was fitted (NHS). I didn't think they removed teeth now but could be wrong. Can you get a second opinion?

I'm pretty sure I had at least 2 out when I had my brace 25 years ago

Yes its perfectly normal and common i had 4 out to get mine and it allowed my mouth enough room for my wisdom teeth to come in and not be crowded. This is ten years ago and my teeth are perfect now.

Yep normal. I'm a dental nurse and we've removed lots of teeth for braces!

Sometimes you just need to make room. Once the braces are on you wouldn't know a tooth was missing at the end of the treatment.

But please remember retainers are for life and if they are not worn teeth will naturally go back to their normal position.

Both my DDs had teeth removed ahead of braces being fitted. They need space for the teeth to move into. Their teeth look great now.

Thanks everyone!

@PinkButtercups thank you, what are retainers? Could you please explain?

I had four healthy adult teeth removed, my teeth are lovely and straight as an adult.

I didn't have any teeth out when I had braces so now my teeth have moved back slightly and overlap again though not as bad as they used to be!

You get retainers after the teeth are in position. They're clear plastic and you wear them at night for various amounts of time after the permanent braces are removed. My dd has been told she can't go below 2 night a week now; her braces have been off for a couple of years