For those with 4 extracted pre-molars: Are you happy?

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#1 Post by **junkee** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:21 pm

I'm just wondering if those of you who've had 4 pre-molar extractions are happy with your teeth and appearance of your face. Did your profile flatten and/or is your face longer? Is your bite good/comfortable? i've just been reading a lot of scary things about this method.

I have crowded upper teeth(a canine that sticks way out) with a crossbite on the right side. My top front teeth meet edge to edge with the bottom. After my first consultation my regular dentist saw the ortho report and she said i should not choose this ortho as pulling out 4 teeth will make my bite worse. I went to 2 other consults after that and both were very vague. All they basically said was that i need braces (no, duh!) and when i asked them about extractions they both said maybe/probably. I would have to pay about $400 for them to do records and then tell me for sure. I didn't want to commit to an ortho without knowing what the treatment would be. I've decide to go with the first ortho... during his consultation he was very detailed in the exam and everyone was so professional and friendly. They actually took pictures and a x-rays. He did say if i wanted to have surgury i could go that route with a pallet expander but said without surgery a pallet expander would not give me good results. He said i would still get good results with extractions. I just hope i'm not making the wrong decision.

#2 Post by **lionfish** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:20 pm

I'm not in that situation, but would suggest that if you're at all in doubt about having your premolars extracted, get another opinion - once those teeth are gone, they're gone.

#3 Post by **braceface418** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 10:57 pm

You can ask for the records from the first ortho and bring them to a second (or third, or fourth!) ortho for a consultation. I'm sure the first ortho would understand why you might want a second opinion regarding the tooth extractions.

That said, I had four teeth extracted a few months ago. I was told by a few different orthodontists that it was necessary, but I guess we'll see once the teeth have finished moving. I know I've read about others who have had decent results with surgery-assisted palate expansion and I'm sure they could answer questions about that if you are interested in it at all.

#4 Post by **gingerprince** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 6:46 am

Hi,

I had 4 pre-molars extractions 2 years ago, and have been braced since. I'm getting them off now in 5 weeks.

In my case, I'm really happy with my results, and my bite is aligned fine. With extractions, I had large gaps to close, hence the 2 years timeline.

To be honest, the hardest part of the treatment, was the mental aspect of the extractions. Once you get your head around the fact that you're letting somone pull 4 perfectly good teeth out of your head, then you're over the worst.

good luck with what ever decision you take.

#5 Post by **junkee** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 7:49 pm

I've decided to get a fourth opinion before i go for the 2nd appt. with the first ortho. Hopefully this one will tell me more than "yah... you need braces". I really don't want to go the surgery route at all. I'd much rather have my teeth pulled out, i'm just worried i'll end up with straight teeth and an ugly face.

#6 Post by **braceface418** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:30 pm

Don't be afraid to ask questions about treatment if they don't provide a whole lot of details. One question I'm glad I asked was what alternatives to extractions were available to me, particularly from orthodontists that were recommending extractions as a first choice. And, of course, what the outcomes of those alternatives would be.

Good luck!

#7 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 8:12 am

I'm a year into treatment and have 12 to 18 more months to go, but so far, yeah, I'm happy with my decision to pull 4 bicuspids. I was told that surgery would be the best option for me, but didn't like the surgery idea, not to mention the whole cost would have been out of pocket. As for my facial changes, well.....maybe it's changed. I think it may actually be a bit wider. I have a very narrow upper palate and most of my teeth were tipped inward. Now that they are properly aligned I think my cheeks are slightly pudgier. But really, if there is any change at all, it's pretty darn subtle. I'll take a subtle face change and straight teeth over my old face and god awful teeth any day. Good luck.

#8 Post by **markGl** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:16 pm

My first consult and second opinion both required extractions.. My current ortho gave me the option of not removing them and just flaring all my teeth out

i looked at her wondering if she was serious.. id have horse teeth .. so to the question yes i am very happy.. and wouldnt change a thing

#9 Post by **junkee** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:23 am

thanks all for your answers... just another question...
Did you guys have the extractions before or after braces went in? If it was after how long into the treatment was it? My ortho said extractions will be done after i have the braces put in.

#10 Post by **amy4110** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:50 pm

My ortho did brackets only to start, then my extractions were done about two weeks later. My archwires went in about a week after that.

I have severe crowding in the front (two partially blocked teeth on top, one completely blocked on the bottom), and preferred extractions to surgery.