Will Wearing a Bonded Expander at 23 Create Enough Space & Avoid Removal of 4 Bicuspids? (photo)
asked 5 months ago by E in Ontario
Latest answer by Steve Carstensen, DDS
Question viewed 49 times
Tags: bicuspid, expander
I am 23 years old and was told by my ortho thatI would have to wear an expander for 6 mnths but may also have to extract my bicuspids to create space. When I went to 2 other orthos for their opinion they both said that expansion would not work at my age and that it would be best to go straight to extraction. My ortho is completely against extraction on its own because he feel that it will not give me the "best smile." What should I do?
1 answer to Will Wearing a Bonded Expander at 23 Create Enough Space & Avoid Removal of 4 Bicuspids? (photo)
+1
Expand or Extract?
E, this is a complicated question, and your dilemma about getting two opinions is a common one - so don't feel alone!
Expansion works great for growing people - so if you were 7, or 9, or 12, this is what most orthodontists would do. Unfortunately, at 23, your jaw just can't grow like it did back then, so if the teeth are pushed sideways with that expander, they tend to tip sideways - not make your jaw bigger. This will create big troubles later.
On the other hand,...
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Steve Carstensen, DDS
Bellevue Cosmetic Dentist
Bellevue Cosmetic Dentist
