Should I extract two teeth, and if I do, will my face change? (Photo)

Question

I've had braces for 2 years now. I'm 20 years old. My main concern was my overbite. Nothing changed. I'm so unhappy and my ortho recommended removing two upper teeth and then pulling my teeth back from there. I would have no problem doing this but after reading people's experiences online and them being unhappy with their facial changes, I'm so worried and stressed, thinking about it is eating me alive. Can I correct at least half of my bite without extracting?What should I do? Opinions please!

Oleg Drut, DDS · Answer

From the photos your submitted I see excessive overjet and deep overbite. I would not recommend extracting two upper teeth, since the issue most likely is the lower jaw. The goal is to advance the lower jaw and not to retract the upper. A few options are available like surgical advancement or fixed non surgical advancement of the lower jaw to reduce the overjet and to open the bite. I would recommend second opinion and not to take out two upper teeth in your particular case.

Carlos Caballero, DDS, MS · Answer

Hello, Not having the luxury of your records i'll try to answer the best I can , please bare with me.Imagine every single tooth is a piece of a puzzle that needs to fit perfectly within each other ( top and bottom) In your case the puzzle is off by been 1 tooth forward on the upper ; by extraction 2 teeth ( one on each side) your Dr. will be compensating for this "forward" position, and bringing the top part of the puzzle back to fit the lower.This will help decrease the excessive forward position of your upper teeth, and have a more functional bite.In regards to the profile , again is hard to do an objective assessment, however since the teeth are the support of the soft tissue lips. As the teeth are moved back the lips follow. if you have  "pushed out " lip having extraction will help having a more relaxed position.If your profile is flat to concave extractions will accentuate that feature. Hope it helps!

Robert Waxler, DMD, MS · Answer

extractions done correctly for the right patient will not cause adverse effects.  What worries me is that your doctor told you he/she could correct your problem and after 2 years failed and now wants to extract teeth.  If extractions were necessary it should have been diagnosed earlier.  Before you do anything get several more opinions from other orthodontistsWhat I see happening is that doctors, knowing that there are these stories about bad outcomes from extractions and many patients resist extractions, start treatments that probably will not work and then eventually talk the patient into the extractions

Should I extract two teeth, and if I do, will my face change? (Photo)

Answers (3)