Do you regret having teeth extracted for braces?

[alltables]

Just that really? I've read about people regretting it especially sunken faces, profile changes and breathing problems. Do you regret it and wish you hadn't had the teeth extracted?

I had orthodontic headgear in the 90s to move my teeth rather than pull them out. I was 10 and it has to be the worst parenting decision my mum ever made. I went on to have braces for a year. Then in my 30s paid £1k to have braces again because my teeth had started to move back.

My DB had his teeth extracted and has had no issues.

I only have 24 adult teeth and they don't fit together properly next to each other so yes, I regret it every time I have to floss after every meal and whenever I get judged by the dentist or hygienist. And I also had a bunch of baby teeth out so the adult teeth could grow in and then come out. That was the late 80s. My sibling is currently seeing the hygienist every 3 months because they had the same treatment from the same orthodontist. My teeth aren't even straight and my bite is awful, my sibling has a clicky jaw since wisdom tooth extraction.

My children had extenders and no teeth out and after braces have perfect smiles.

@LookAtMyCircumstance
I'm sorry to hear you've had so many problem with having extractions. Someone did suggest expanders as an option but I've struggled to find anywhere that will do it. Was that done on the NHS or private and any chance you're in the northwest?

It's for a child (14)

@alltables Private and not North East, sorry but a BUPA orthodontist practice.

I was told our treatment was very much of its time, to have quite so many teeth removed.

No, although the extractions weren’t fun and I’m about to need Invisalign as a follow up in middle age because of it. Straight teeth were and are worth it.

Yes. Teeth extraction and braces resulted in TMD. Took over a decade to be diagnosed and longer to recieve treatment. This has had to he private as the NHS weren't interested. Cost a lot of money and my jaw will never be fully fixed. Its also changed how my face looks, which i dislike.

There was a whole thread about this a few weeks back. My experience with my DS....
Recommended by one orthodontist to extract 4 teeth for braces and it would be covered by NHS. I was shocked as only slightly misaligned.

I asked for second opinion. Dentist was reluctant to refer. I pushed.

Second orthodontist said he could have braces if he wanted but not essential and if he did want braces he would NOT extract any teeth.

He was shocked by other orthodontist approach. Likely that the exaggeration by first orthodontist was to secure NHS funding.

My advice is if any doubt get second opinion.

Of course not, where the hell would I put them?
Plus these days, they do it so differently, they won't remove them if they don't NEED to be removed!!

I've had 8 out, train tracks and invisalign, but they are still wonky AF. My mother always used to hilariously comment on how such a tiny mouth could make such a loud noise. My palate is freakishly high. I'd need 2 more out on the top but I'd be a bit short on teeth then so they won't do it.

I had to have 10 teeth out because of overcrowding. Nothing sunken and no profile problems

There are plenty of specialist orthodontists that work in private practice in NW England and you don't usually need your general dentist to refer you for a private orthodontic opinion.

You won't get a sunken face, you won't get breathing problems and you won't get profile changes as a result of the loss of 4 premolars for orthodontics

There is no evidence to suggest Orthodontics either worsens or improves TMJ, a clicky jaw is normal.

Honestly your DS will come to no harm having 4 premolars out. Orthodontist train for years and years, people can say have a palate expander, have a functional appliance etc. But these are all only applicable in specific situations and only an orthodontist can say if its the right treatment choice for your child.

I had 4 teeth removed at age 11 and retractive headgear. I also had 4 wisdom teeth removed.
My teeth look perfect, but my jaw clicks and I would definitely look better if my face was more forward grown.

For my kids, I've opted for expansion instead of extraction but I still worry about whether I've made the right choice. I worry about overexpansion and the teeth possibly moving out of the bone. Ds1 is finished his treatment and his teeth aren't as perfect as they would have been if he'd had extractions, he has slight flaring.

From what I've read the fashions in orthodontics swing back and forth between extraction and expansion. There are pros and cons to both.

Just get a second opinion. Can't hurt.

Not at all - I had two uppers removed and there was no way my teeth would've straightened without doing that. My incisors used to sit over my bottom lip.

No because my teeth were overcrowded - I had 4 premolars out.

However I refused to have all 4 wisdom teeth out as I saw no point. I had one out because it wasn't straight.

Hi op, I would get a second opinion personally.

My ds (14) is having orthodontic treatment, in fact he's almost finished.

The first orthodontist we went to suggested 4 teeth out. I was horrified to be honest because his teeth weren't even that crowded and I'd researched and knew that with a young person they can do all sorts to expand the palate.

We went to a different orthodontist. They said that he was too late for twin blocks which help the jaw to grow forward, but there was no need for extractions in his case and that it would only be done as a last resort.

Anyway from what I can see ds teeth are absolutely perfect now.