This is a controversial topic even within the dental community. I would strongly encourage a second opionon whenever extractions are being recommended in conjunction with orthodontics. Extractions are irreversible; therefore, it is important that a patient completely understand the treatment. Most patients assume that because upper front teeth stick out ("buck teeth" or excessive overjet) that there is a problem with the upper jaw. Generally speaking, this is NOT true but the problem is actually a lower jaw issue. Extracting teeth and pulling the upper teeth back to match the lower jaw will indeed make for nice staight pretty teeth but it isn't necessarily the best treatment. Because teeth support the lips and face you must always consider what moving the teeth will do to the support of lips and the shape of the face. Bottom line...before extracting teeth for orthodontic purposes make sure you question the doctor about what their treatment plan will do to the look of your face, particularly the length of your nose and also ask what the potential consequences are to the TMJ. This is a GREAT question and the treatment of your case should be approached with a sound understanding of the treatment beign prescribed. Best of luck to you!
Sometimes yes sometimes no. It is almost always possible to treat overbites without extractions BUT the final stability and the esthetic results can suffer. Extractions are just a tool, neither right nor wrong,sometimes needed sometimes not. Be careful of practioners who say they NEVER extract and advocate arch expansion for everything...they are putting the treatment (nonextraction) before the diagnosis (are extractions necessary). This being said, I only do extractions when it is the BEST option for the patient.
