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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Teeth out for orthodontist?

45 replies

wendywendy · 05/06/2022 19:19

My daughter had finally got a date for braces. The orthodontist has said to have four healthy adult back teeth taken out to make room. Has anyone else been through this and is it worth it? I was wondering whether to ask if orthodontist can do braces without taking any teeth out.

OP posts:
Sqeebling · 05/06/2022 19:29

Where are you expecting the crowded teeth to magically move to? They may decide otherwise. They thought they'd have to take a couple of my DD teeth out but didn't in the end.

DD would have happily had half her teeth out to get the braces fitted for nicer teeth.

Oblomov22 · 05/06/2022 19:31

So the orthodontist had suggested this. And the problem is what exactly?

Irridescantshimmmer · 05/06/2022 19:42

Aged 11, I had 4 teeth removed 2 upper and 2 lower fangs because my jaw was too small and I had overcrowded teeth. The dentist, at the time was in two minds about wether to give me braces but instead pulled the teeth.

I did not mind having teeth removed as my lower and over crowded teeth straightened out in the end, just like the dentist said.

Except I fractured one of them but don't know how! Can't blam booze because I don't drink.....!😁

XrayFish · 05/06/2022 19:42

I was offered the choice of having teeth out having them shaved down. This was nearly 20 years ago though so I don't know if they still offer that.

dementedpixie · 05/06/2022 19:48

Dd had 1 baby tooth and 2 adult teeth removed for her braces

PangolinPie · 05/06/2022 19:51

It's normal for teeth to be removed before braces are fitted, the wonky teeth need to have space to move into otherwise there's no point getting the brace. My ds had 2 teeth out. He was blasé about getting them out but found the procedure a bit traumatic in the end as he's never had teeth out and these were obviously full adult teeth with enormous roots. However, it created the room nd his teeth have moved in over the time he's had his brace (not finished treatment yet, but it's looking really good so far) What is it about the teeth out that you/your dd are worried about?

Bangkokbaby · 05/06/2022 19:51

I had 4 teeth out as a young teenager before having braces fitted. My mouth was small and overcrowded. I can't see how they could have created the space to straighten my teeth without removing some first!

Twizbe · 05/06/2022 19:51

I had two adult teeth removed for my braces (at the age of 36) I would have had no space for the teeth to move otherwise.

OnlyLosersTakeTheBus · 05/06/2022 19:52

I only have 24 adult teeth as the rest were removed for braces. My children instead had extender retainers which made their mouth bigger <non technical explanation> - however this was non-NHS and was at a much younger age.

gunnersgold · 05/06/2022 19:55

I had 4 out years ago to make room .. if there isn't room there isn't room. He can probably straighten them but they will be too much for her mouth I presume? Why don't you want teeth out?

RoyKentsChestHair · 05/06/2022 19:55

Yeah I imagine it depends a bit on age. DS is 2 years older than DD and they started orthodontist treatment at the same time. He had to have 4 teeth out. She had to have a block device to make her jaw grow, but I guess as she was younger there was still time for this. I did ask what the alternative was to having teeth removed. The orthodontist helpfully suggested “yes, don’t have braces”. It felt so barbaric at the time but a few years on and DS has great straight teeth. DDs are nearly done too.

Pegasaurus · 05/06/2022 19:56

I had this done years and years ago as a child and have always had really nice teeth, as a result. Am v thankful to have had a dentist that identified and fixed the problem as cosmetic concerns were not a high priority in those days.

bbqhulahoop · 05/06/2022 19:58

Yep, I had 7 pulled out

junebirthdaygirl · 05/06/2022 19:59

Two of mine had adult teeth out to make room for others. My dd had inherited a narrow jaw from one parent..dh and a wide set of teeth of the other..me! They were incompatible so teeth had to come out and braces fitted. Turned out perfectly. Ds had two extra teeth appearing after it looked like he had a full set. Regular dentist just slit the gum and took them out. Said ..watch me save you thousands on braces!! His teeth are perfect. Just trust the orthodontist. They usually know what they are doing.

MarciaMarciaMarcia · 05/06/2022 20:01

My dd had 3 teeth removed before they would put braces on. One upper fang, one lower tooth growing vertically next to her molars and one they had to cut through the roof of her mouth to get as it hadn't erupted, but they said it could at any time.
it was horribly painful, but her teeth are now beautiful after 2 years of braces and she agrees it was worth it.

Vernonia · 05/06/2022 20:04

My dd has two teeth removed, and I argued for the extractions to be done under sedation - it was done under nhs in the end (but I was prepared to pay if necessary). Good result

Pennox · 05/06/2022 20:04

My eldest two had the same thing - both had 2 taken out. It was a little brutal but apparently gives a better result.

Original poster
wendywendy · 05/06/2022 20:16

Thanks for all your replies. This is my first post. I guess I posted because I'm an anxious mum anyway and my DD did have a tooth taken out a few years ago and found it traumatic. As someone said maybe alternative is not to have braces. She's 14 so her choice. Good to hear others experiences.

OP posts:
Bert2e · 05/06/2022 20:16

Ds2 had 2 out, he was given the option of jaw extenders at a cost of £5000 but would also not have been able to play rugby (he plays at academy level) as he couldn't wear a mouth guard. Thrift and a love of sport made the decision for us.

Tryingtryingandtrying · 05/06/2022 20:20

You'll probably find there is another way if you have a spare 5k. Pulling teeth is not the best way, just the cheapest.

FlyToTheSun · 05/06/2022 20:20

NHS said our daughter needed teeth out but with private invisalign treatment, she didn’t need any out and she now has a perfect smile. Same orthodontist.

mintich · 05/06/2022 20:21

I had 6 teeth put before I had braces at 10 years old. It wasn't that bad really and now I have perfectly straight teeth

bbqhulahoop · 05/06/2022 20:22

Take dentist advice OP. I needed loads out but my dentist told me if I didn't have it done alr have braces I'd have a lot of dental work and expense in my late 20s-30s when my wisdom teeth came through. If it were my daughter I'd encourage her to get the treatment while it's on nhs if dentist thinks it's necessary

BlooDeBloop · 05/06/2022 20:29

OP ask the orthodontist how her face shape and jaw might change with the work they're proposing. I have a younger child who needs work and is on an NHS waiting list for teeth removal (though the waiting list is so long it could be another 18 months before we see anyone). I've read around and we're going private for an alternative to this.

Xiaoxiong · 05/06/2022 20:39

I had 4 adult teeth and one milk tooth out, my brother had 8 teeth out! Both of us then had space for our wisdom teeth to come in and never had any issues thereafter. Orthodontists generally know what they're doing, if you're concerned that it's excessive you can get a second opinion.

I had gas and air when I had my teeth out so it wasn't horrific at all and it was fine, when I next had gas and air it was when I was in Labour with DS1 and I had the most vivid feeling of deja vu.

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