Will Getting Teeth Pulled Help Fix over Crowded Teeth?

Question

I'm 16 years old and I have very crowded top and bottom teeth and an overbite but it isn't that severe. My two front teeth turn inward and my canines are a little high. My bottom teeth aren't very straight either, but everything after my top and bottom front teeth are pretty much straight. Recently they started getting more crowded. If I get teeth pulled will it help stop the crowding? Also, will invisilign fix my teeth faster than traditional braces?

Jay Neuhaus, DDS · Answer

I always urge my patients to try to correct their crowded teeth orthodontically WITHOUT pulling any teeth. When you extract teeth, the entire jaw becomes narrower, and can result in breathing issues such as snoring and sleep apnea, as well as TMJ issues. Invisalign is NOT necessarily quicker than traditional braces. Seek out a few opinions from orthodontists, and tell them you would rather NOT have any teeth extracted. They will probably tell you that if you extract teeth, the case will proceed quicker. They will not have to live with the resulting problems for the rest of your life. YOU WILL!

Rob van den Berg, DDS, MS · Answer

The vast majority of orthodontic crowding cases can be treated without extractions, either with Invisalign or with braces. A consultation with an orthodontist should be very informative for you, many doctors provide that initial visit at no cost to the patient. I find that treatment time with braces and Invisalign is about the same in general.

Robert T. Rudman, DDS, MS · Answer

Dear Crowded,

	 

	Your best route is to see an orthodontist to determine a  treatment plan.  Pulling teeth alone will not straighten you teeth and with all the options there are in modern orthodontics you may not need to pull perfectly healthy teeth

	 

	I hope this helps

	Dr Rudman

Will Getting Teeth Pulled Help Fix over Crowded Teeth?

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Will Getting Teeth Pulled Help Fix over Crowded Teeth?

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