Orthodontics - extract teeth OR NOT?

[dolally]

My ds is shortly to have braces...
Does anyone have any advice as to whether it's ALWAYS necessary to extract teeth before having braces. Somebody told me recently that many dentists nowadays feel that teeth can be straightened perfectly well without always assuming that some have to come out, and.. that extraction of permanent teeth can cause later problems. Any comments? I feel I need to be better informed before the next appointment.

Sounds painful, Connyflower.

I had braces two years ago (for overbite and TMJ), at age 38, but didn't have anything quite as drastic. The thing they used to widen my palate was a very nasty "lingual arch". It was quite painful for about a week or two, and, although I thought I'd never be able to manage at that time, I did.

I'm glad I had it done now - I like having straight teeth and I smile a lot more than I used to in the past.

thats what i keep thinking for about 3 years i'll have a brace but then for the rest of my life ill have a lovely smile.... fingers crossed did you have brace top and bottom! does it hurt getting them fitted... i am a complete wimp

Yeah, I had the full monty.

The actual fitting was fine and for the rest of the day. But next morning, it was pretty sore, especially the ligual arch that was digging into my tongue. Chloraseptic was my friend

Eating was hard for a week or two - bought myself a blender for soups and smoothies. And thankfully, wine doesn't take much chewing .

On the bright side, I lost a ton of weight (put it all back on now though, but I know I can do it!)

Ameriscot and connyflower can I be really nosey and ask if what you had/are aboutto have done was really expensive. I have been thinking about it for a while and going to ask my dentist to refer me to someone but wondered how many thousands it might cost to have this done as an adult.

I had mine done in the USA, so I don't think it would be very helpful to you.

Carameli i'm not having to pay for it as it is classed as a medical precedure im getting it done at the dental hosptial as my normal dentist wouldnt touch me as the case is too complicated ( having jaw broken ect) i do have to pay for dental check ups every couple of months with regular dentist thou! im dreading it! Ameriscot2005 did you have jaw broken too?