Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi,
I've been advised to extract 4 first premolars for my orthodontic treatment. I have crowding and a slight overbite, and my mouth doesn't close fully right now (when I do close it, there are dimples on my chin)

I'm still trying to decide whether to go ahead with so many extractions. one thing I'm worried about is that extractions might create too much space on my bottom teeth. if that happens and the teeth have straightened nicely but the gaps are still there, then what happens? Will the ortho try to shrink my jaw?

hi ichigo

I've had my lower 6's removed leaving my 7's so need to close the gap there but the ortho says it'll never fully close and I'll either need to put up with the gap there (which after treatment won't be as big as when they take the tooth out) or get an implant or bridge.

Sometimes you need to sacrifice one thing for another. having said that, have they explained to you WHY they want to take them out?

I removed 7 teeth:
2 lower premolars
1 upper canine (baby)
1 upper canine (adult)
1 upper incisor (baby)
2 lower wisdom

Ortho said my gaps will close since they're generally small (premolar and baby teeth).