Any Orthodontists on here, does my 12y old really need 4 teeth extracted?

[AIstolemylunch]

My 12y old has severe overcrowding and needs braces. Our NHS dentist sent him to the NHS Orthodontist and they said 2 teeth to be extracted top and bottom so 4 teeth out back at our dentist before they will put the braces on.

My issue is that my older son, who has a very similar face shape/bone structure and lloks very similar to him, had just the two teeth out on the bottom in preparation for braces and I feel like he didnt get a great result from that. Obviously I am not an expert and it might have happenned anyway but post the braces treatment it feels to me like his overbite turned into an underbite and it has given him a bit of a 'weak chinned' look where he has the 2 bottom teeth out at the side of his chin that he didn't have before. I'm worried that having 4 teeth out for my younger son is too severe and will alter his face shape to much.

My question is, are there any alternatives? Can I pay for a second opinion? The NHS orthodentist is like a factory production line and you literally get a couple of minutes where they say come back whne he's had 4 teeth out, next!

Not an orthodontist but you say your son has severe crowding and teeth can only be straightened by expanding or creating space by removing teeth or interproximal reduction where some of the enamel is removed at the edges of the teeth.
There are limits as to how much expansion and stripping can be done and extractions may be needed to give a good and stable result. To correct differences in jaw size surgery is needed.
Children are normally allowed one NHS consultation but you can get a private second opinion privately just contact any orthodontic practice or practice with an orthodontist and make an appointment, you can self refer.

I’m not a dentist but had this exact procedure at about the same age - it was four pre-molar teeth that were extracted I think. My teeth are perfectly straight now and often get compliments!

We were told DC (who had absolutely terrible wonky teeth) needed 4 extractions. We got a referral to an NHS dentist to do them, but the dentist suggested Damon braces and no extractions. We were referred to a consultant orthodontist at the hospital who did a fantastic job and the results were perfect.
I’d get a second opinion if I were you.

I had 4 teeth out for my braces and honestly I don't know what I would've done when my wisdom teeth came up had I not had the 4 teeth out.

I would say listen to the dentist.

I had four teeth out when I had a brace.

I understand that now dentists are not too keen on removing teeth now, they prefer to make the gaps using the brace, so if they have suggested removal then they must be sure they need removing.

I haven't ever had any issues with my missing four teeth and have had four wisdom teeth removed as an adult too.

My DS was advised that on the NHS he would need four extractions and then fixed braces. We got a second opinion and the private orthodontist said that extractions are much less well regarded these days as they can cause issues later on. However they are a ‘quick and dirty’ way of getting teeth looking better so still widely used.

We chose to go private to avoid the extractions. My DS is 18 months into treatment with a MARA to help his jaw alignment and recently fixed braces to reduce overjet. His jaw and teeth look great and no extractions needed.

If crowding is severe the easiest way to make space for alignment is extraction. You could try braces which expand the arch, but these are often not well tolerated and don’t create enough room, so you end up needing to reduce interproximally too. It sounds like a second opinion would help, privately you would have enough time to discuss all your options, and at least be happy with the fact that four extractions may well be the best choice. As @MillyMollyMardy said you can self refer

Snap!

Thanks all, I'll self refer for a second opinion then I think and see what they say. Any recommendations for Surrey/London? What's a MARA?

just reviving this thread as I need to self refer to an orthodontist for my son in the Surrey/London area, just wondering if anyone has any recomendations.

My dental care is all NHS managed (& y’know, I’m an adult) so not a personal recommendation but Toothbeary in Richmond are meant to be good.

My dd uses Richmond Orthodontics. They have branches in Richmond and Teddington as well as somewhere in Central London I believe.