Question about necessity of extractions

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#1 Post by Al » Thu May 17, 2007 7:49 am

This is just a general question not pertaining to my particular case.

Having read through many cases here, I understand that extractions are sometimes necessary to make room for proper alignment. I have then visited the Damon 3 website and saw how they are specifically advertising that extractions can be avoided in many cases with their system.

My question is - is this a bit of an embellishment on their part, or is this really part of the evolution of the braces process and what was once a widely accepted procedure -- extractions -- may become less popular as time goes on?

I am genuinely curious because a good friend just had her son fitted with braces and part of his treatment included four extractions. I guess I am a bit puzzled. I could see how it could be argued that in an adult's head there would be no more room for expansion, but I am finding it difficult to understand how the same could be said about a 12-15 year old kid.

If any of you can shed a light on my at times obtuse brain, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

#2 Post by Al » Thu May 17, 2007 8:11 am

Thanks for that quick answer, KK. Judging by the parents, I think their son will definitely end up with a fantastic smile.

Since I have crowding issues on both top and bottom myself, every single scenario crosses my mind now. As far as I know, I'm not a candidate for extractions.

Just one of those things that was making me go "hmm...", you know? LOL

#3 Post by **Lisa65** » Thu May 17, 2007 1:58 pm

As an aside, every time I see those 2 pics of your arch Meryaten, I go "wow". It's truly amazing what changes were wrought by just braces.

#4 Post by **joney** » Fri May 18, 2007 4:49 am

I just wanted to add that I have damon 3s but also had 2 extractions. I think each case is decided by it's own merits and obviously with very very extreme overcrowding then extraction may be the best option. In other cases then surgery may be advised but it is important to remember that every case is different. Although I have been very happy with my damons I can't see how they could ever say that every case could be done without extractions. I think with any system there can be some expansion but obviously there is a limit.

#5 Post by **Boolajoojoo** » Sat May 19, 2007 1:33 am

I am so apprehensive about the idea of extractions... it's soo permanent! I realize that there must be plenty of cases where extractions are necessary... but I'm such a pessimist... sometimes it seems like extractions are just a quick/easy way out (just based on some experiences my friends have had).... I don't know what the type of brackets could possibly have to do with the need for extractions though... o.O

The first orthodontist I saw, insisted that extractions were absolutely necessary for ideal results... so I can see how it's so important to get multiple consults (even for this issue among others). If the next two were all in agreement, I'd have gotten the extractions... (guilty of seeking out orthodontists with low extraction rates though). The next two orthodontists I saw seemed to agree that extractions would only hurt my bite, my profile, and my TMJ... so I'm glad I didn't rush into having any teeth pulled. I'm only 7 weeks into treatment (my brackets are self ligating but I don't think specifically Damon's or whatever's) but it seems like the teefies that were crowded out are squeezing into line with the rest fairly easily... (flossing has actually gotten easier, not quite as tight as it was) Just my two cents. I sadly had to let go of my wisdom teeth years ago... there wasn't much choice in that matter... but I still have the ones that weren't destroyed in the extraction process... in a little envelope... the tooth fairy never came...

#6 Post by **LaaLaa** » Sat May 19, 2007 2:56 am

I'm actually one of the people who got extractions done....all four 1st bicuspids. I got them done a couple weeks into getting my uppers partially braced. It wasn't a very pleasant experience for me, I'm not going to lie.

Since I loved my very first doctor that I went to for consultations, I did not get a second opinion. Although after reading many posts here, I'm a little worried that maybe I should've at least asked around more as far as the extractions go. But, keep in mind that my arches look nothing like Meryaten's before pics. I guess I have a pretty small mouth so I have a lot of overlapping and crowding. She couldn't even put a bracket on one teeth because another tooth was in the way. Then she went on to tell me that if she pulled one tooth from one side, the midline could shift in the future if she I didn't take out the same one on the opposite side, which I suppose makes sense. But my dentist kept recommending that I extract some teeth for what seemed like forever so I guess I needed them in my case. I just hope the gaps close up pretty soon. So, getting a second opinion or even a third won't hurt so if you're unsure, I suggest you do so. Good luck!

#7 Post by **bobby9** » Sat May 19, 2007 5:02 pm

In cases where there's just not enough space to go around, short of expanding the jaw, there really is no way to fit all the teeth nicely without extraction.

I had 4 bi's extracted too. My teeth were quite crowded one of the bi's was wedged in so tight, it broke during extraction.
The dentist had to drill out the rest bit by bit, uurggh!

Bob

#8 Post by **bracegirl** » Sun May 20, 2007 12:26 pm

i also wanted to add that i have damon braces and had four bicuspids extracted almost three weeks ago. as of now, i cant say im ok with it coz im still unsure about the gaps because they are so big.. but my dentist and ortho both thought i needed it so im sure if two professionals think that, i probably did need them. also, when my ortho showed me my xray, my mouth did look protrusive and i have been in braces for a year now..so im happy that he atleast tried to fix my mouth without extractions first and then he asked me to do it..makes me feel like he tried and i absolutely had no choice..and it was necessary. im just upset that i had to have them this late in treatment (without extractions my braces would have come out in november)..and now i dont know when they will be off..and oh i wanted to ask, i tried measuring my gaps with a ruler..so its approx.. but each gap is about 10mm!! that is driving me nuts.. i hope the gaps close soon...okie i guess im done.. i just started rambling.. but i figured people here understand all this more than my friends who dont have braces!!

#9 Post by **bobby9** » Sun May 20, 2007 5:55 pm

bracegirl,

There're posts in this forum that says a tooth will move around 1mm a month.
For a 10mm gap, there should be no obvious gap in a year. Of course every case is different.

Bob

#10 Post by **JoviFan** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:47 pm

I'm still torn what to do about my overbite -- Class II - ~5 mm.....options are Jaw surgery or extractions.....jaw sx seems like way to much to go thru for myself.... the extractions are a possibility, but will I be happy in the end....the ortho gave that to me as an option, but say it can change your profile, and give you a 'flat lip' look.... I'm 40 years old....are there any adults here that had the extractions done, and how much did it change your profile???? My teeth are not crowded.....just small..lol - I just can't decide what to do , or do nothing, finish straightening my teeth and be done...??????????????? any suggestions, ideas would be great!!! Here are a few pics:

b4 braces:

8 weeks in: (now at month 5 !!)

14 weeks:

#11 Post by **Stich** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 1:11 pm

JoviFan,

I am 38 and had four extractions to correct an overbite. My teeth were very crowded and my ortho said even with surgery I would need extractions to fully correct my bite. I choose not to go with surgery and therefore did not get my overbite completly corrected, but I am very happy with how it all turned out. The only difference I notice in my profile is that my teeth do not stick out, which I guess could be called a flatter profile, but one I prefer. The only other difference is my smile seems smaller (less wide) to me, but that makes sense as 4 teeth are gone. My teeth just fit so much better in my mouth, that protruding feeling is gone. So I do not regret getting the extractions, though it was initially a hard decision to make.