DiD braces - what to do - removal of tooth

[fireyunicorn]

Hi just wrote a long message that disappeared so this is a shortened version!

DD braces age 13 18 months into treatment - orthodontist wants to remove a lateral incisor (cos it's very far back and twisted and moving it might damage the root anyway) and move the canine in its place, reshaping it (as it's pointy and needs to be squared off). She's had 2 teeth out already at the back on the other side. He's trying very hard to persuade us to go with his way.

Has anyone got experience of this? Sounds very drastic to me. Have another appointment for a 2nd opinion next week. Worried her smile will not look symmetrical.

Thanks!

Gosh I don’t have much advice but we are going through a lot of stress with ds trying to decide what to do with tooth removal. Did she have molars removed? Ds has been recommended having molars removed and I am so worried how they will ever close the massive gap. It’s really hard to put faith in orthodontist and know the result will be ok

In terms of having one tooth out for your dd. I did read on an old thread on here that someone was worried about having single tooth removed on one side and there was replies saying others had it done and the effect was fine in the end and not squint at all

I would definitely seek a second opinion. I‘m in my 30s and it was very normal to have teeth removed to ‘make space’ when I was a teenager. Luckily I refused due to a needle phobia.

My orthodontist was saying recently that now they really try to avoid removing teeth as it affects bone density long term and is not best practice.

Pollypocket how are you getting on now with orthodontics treatment? Are they managing to find a way without tooth removal? We have seen a second ortho for second opinion already and both seem to say teeth need to come out

Not exactly this but DD has a very far back lateral incisor - our orthodontist has never mentioned removing it. He has warned that the procedure for creating room for it may create an overbite, that will be treated by narrowing some of the teeth and straightening them. I would not be happy with what yours is suggesting.

Just thought I'd give an update ... went to orthodontist on Thursday for a 2nd opinion on removal of lateral incisor and moving canine in its place and reshaping it. The 2nd orthodontist agreed with my DDs orthodontist that this was the best option. I asked him that if we paid private for treatment would it change things, he said not. He said he'd recommend it if it was his daughter. The tooth has such a long way to move, it could damage the root. I asked about an implant, he said this was an even worse option. The canine that will be moved in position and reshaped only has to move by 2mm, it's really close to correct position already. I asked if he had any photos where he's done this before but he said he couldn't show me any because of patient confidentiality

It looks like this has to be the way forward for us -/I'm still very concerned and have been googling to find any info or photos with the same issues but can't see any.

Any advice, thoughts from anyone whose been through the same issue? I want to feel that I've researched and asked as many questions as I can so that I can feel reassured and reassure my daughter and hope we're doing the correct thing.

Hi @fireyunicorn , I had quite a bit of orthodontic work done as a child and teenager, including something similar to what you're describing. I think I had 7 teeth taken out in total(!) and some other surgical stuff, plus braces. It seems to have turned out well; I can eat, drink, speak and smile comfortably and have had compliments on my smile. If it's the best option to achieve a functional tooth in that position, then you might need to give it a shot.