Anyone had teeth removed for braces?

[Alicia870]

So I've had an appointment with orthodontist and I qualify for nhs braces which is great as it saves me so much but they will need to be the metal kind.
But before they are fitted I need to get 4 teeth removed. Two from top and two from bottom and they are going to be noticeable. Like the 3rd tooth back from centre if you know what I mean.
He said it's noticeable until the brace goes on and then it sort of disguises it but has anyone had this done? Super anxious and feel I would have to lock myself away until I actually get the brace on and even then will feel self conscious! Any advice or experiences would be great to hear!

I'm pretty sure this is exactly what I had when I was younger.
To be honest unless I opened my mouth wide and someone was looking in it wasn't noticeable at all.

I had 4 teeth removed. My orthodontist made temporary teeth out of composite to disguise the gap initially, until it was closed enough to not be noticeable.

I had this at 15, 2 from the top and 2 from the bottom, they took ones that were next to the fangs, but at the far side so less noticeable and it worked, you couldn't tell unless someone looked closely, the gaps closed nicely

My orthodontist offered me a better result if I had teeth removed. He mentioned my top lip would not be as full of I did. I decided not to as like a full lip when wearing lipstick tbh!
Metal braces on now, nobody mentions them except in a positive way - if you chose removal then a gap is just a step of the process towards your new smile! Nobody will gasp at you in the street op!!

Just when I'm looking at my teeth now, the ones they plan to remove are so visible when I talk and smile and I think I'll just feel so self conscious but still leaning towards thinking it's worth it.
Did anyone who had the metal braces feel it really helped disguise it?

My DD had this done. The main thing to bear in mind is that even after the braces come off you will have to wear a retainer at night to prevent the teeth from moving back to their original position, and you may have to do this for several years. My DD was told that she would have to for at least 5 years, but this may have something to do with the age that you are when you have the procedure done. She has been pretty diligent in wearing hers but said that if she forgot for even a night the retainer was initially tight the next time she wore it. It would be worth discussing this if you would have a problem with that.

I had this done. To be honest the gaps didn't bother me too much because I was so used to hiding my face anyway

The important people in your life will know why you have gaps.
The unimportant people you probably wont see again, or if you do, you'll have braces on, so if they care (which they won't) they will work it out.

Seriously though once you get the braces on, those gaps close up in no time. Totally worth it.
It meant life changing confidence for me.

I had 2 teeth removed from the top - same ones as yours I think - and was really nervous that I’d look like a toothless crone. BUT, although I felt a tiny bit self conscious until I got the metal braces on (about a week), once they were on, my teeth just looked like a work in progress and the braces definitely hid the gaps, which closed up really quickly (it is fun to see the difference almost every day!) I had full train tracks for 2 years, aged 40. Very glad I did. You’ll be fine, good luck!

I have overcrowded teeth and have been told they need to remove one from the bottom for a brace to work, and that's really bothering me so I can understand why you're worried!

I think I will still go ahead (I especially would if I was getting it free on the nhs!!). It's part of the process I guess.

DD had two gaps where her incisors should be, so right next to each front tooth. Obviously very very noticable. But once the braces were on you couldn't tell.

Now nearly two years later (she's had extensive work) her teeth are almost perfect and the braces are due to come off next month. Only a little building up to be done, it is so, so worth it.

My teenage DS (14) is in the middle of this. I was dead against the idea of removing healthy teeth, but the orthodontist convinced me with a good look at the xrays - that, and my DS's father, aunt and uncle all had the same teeth removed.

I think it is very common and, while initially traumatic, for the best. The gaps should be briefly visible, but quickly disappear as the braces do their thing.

I do agree with a PP though - you'll likely need a retainer. My DS already has a schedule of (broadly) every night for a few months then decreasing until it's once a month forever. Our guy recommends the 1st night of the month, just so you remember.

Thanks all/ I'm definitely going to go ahead with it. It's a bit of short term sacrifice for long term gain and I think it will be worth it! Don't mind wearing a retainer as long as it keeps them straight. Thanks everyone!

I had four pre-molars extracted for orthodontic reasons as a child. I actually forget those teeth were ever there unless the dentist mentions it.

Yes I had 4 out too. I dont remember the gaps being an issue, I was.probably more self conscious about the metal braces tbh. But that stopped after a short while.

Took 2 years of treatment and my previously "medieval graveyard homage" teeth are straight, lovely and sooooo worth it!

I’ve recently had two teeth removed for braces, the lower 5ths so only noticeable if I laugh. Braces going on next week.

I had 6 teeth out when I had braces at 16. Including an major operation to both jaws. Which I didn’t get retainers after so I relapsed and my teeth started sticking out again.
Now at 38 I’ve had braces and a second major operation which took 4 years but that was my fault for having my 2 children while having the treatment. I wear retainers every night which are no hassle.
I am so pleased with the result I would do again. My self confidence is so much better now. I feel like I won’t embarrass my children any more.

I had 4 out. I have quite a small mouth, so it didn't show at all. They close up really quick too.

I also never wore my retainer and my teeth never moved.

I had four removed at 18 before my brace, they need to rid the overcrowding to allow the teeth to straighten.

Yes 4 removed but I was 13.

It’s very temporary.

I had 4 removed as well as a kid. My mom said my braces was the best investment ever. It will be fine!

My daughter has her first appointment in September to discuss braces - they were waiting for all her baby teeth to fall out before they could proceed (finally all out at age 13!) .they've already said it's likely she'll need teeth removed and I can see why - she even has teeth growing behind the normal line of teeth like a shark! I wondered how these teeth are removed - does the normal dentist do it? Or us it under general at a hospital? Thanks for any info.

At the normal dentist usually for extractions. Both DDs have had teeth removed while under an orthodontist but had to go back to regular dentist.