Will having [teeth removed] ruin my face?
Will having teeth removed ruin my face?
Orthodontic treatment sometimes involves multiple strategies that all work together to help improve your smile. While you might have gone to your first visit hoping to hear that you would just need braces, you might have received a surprise when the orthodontist suggested that you have one or more teeth removed. Naturally, the news that you need to have teeth removed may leave you worried about your appearance. After all, you want to have straighter teeth so that you feel better about your smile. As you explore your options, keep in mind that orthodontists only recommend this treatment if it has benefits for improving your oral health and the aesthetics of your smile. You can also find many of the answers to your questions here so that you can make the right decisions regarding your orthodontic care.
When Is Extraction Required?
In most instances, an orthodontist’s goal is to do everything they can to save a tooth. However, there are times when this may not be possible. For example, teeth are often removed due to decay or a fracture that comprises the structural integrity. In orthodontics, teeth are sometimes removed because of problems with overcrowding. This often occurs when you have teeth along the sides that are pushing the front teeth forward so that they protrude. Removing one or more of the side teeth will sometimes allow the orthodontic appliances to be more effective at moving the protruding teeth away from the front of your mouth.
There are also times when baby teeth hang in far longer than they should. For the majority of people, all of the permanent adult teeth should have grown in by the late teens. However, you could have a primary tooth that never fell out, and it is now blocking one of your adult teeth. When this happens, removing the tooth is just doing what should have happened naturally. While this will change your appearance temporarily, your adult tooth can be moved in to take the baby tooth’s place.
Is a Tooth Removal Uncomfortable?
Any discomfort that you feel from a tooth extraction depends upon several factors such as the reason for the removal along with the location. Your personal pain sensitivity will also play a role in how you feel during and after the extraction. Let your orthodontist know if you are concerned about any pain from the tooth extraction. This way, they can use techniques such as topical numbing gels and local anesthetics to ease your pain. With any tooth extraction, you will also be given some instructions to follow to care for the site as it heals. Usually, this simply involves being careful what you eat and drink during the first few days. If a baby tooth is removed, you may not even notice any discomfort at all.
What Are the Benefits to Tooth Extraction?
When it comes to orthodontic care, it is important to weigh the benefits against the negative side effects of removing a tooth. For instance, removing a back molar will often have less of an impact upon your appearance compared to removing one in the front. Yet, the removal of any tooth causes significant changes to the jawbone as well as how the other teeth fit in the mouth. Aesthetic concerns, such as having a gap, are easily addressed by orthodontic treatment, and making sure that another tooth moves into the correct place can help preserve the jawbone.
Does This Change My Profile?
You can expect the removal of a tooth to have some minor effects on your profile. For some people, this is a positive thing since it could help improve how the profile appears if the tooth extraction helps give space for the front teeth to settle further back into the proper alignment. You should be aware that this procedure could also cause changes as you or your child grows. This is because your nose continues to grow throughout your life, and the teeth moving back may look different as you mature. This is why your orthodontist will talk to you about the potential long-term effects of removing a tooth.
You may also find that removing a tooth does not impact your appearance at all. For instance, removing a wisdom tooth is a common procedure that may be done to ensure that your new, straighter smile lasts as long as possible.
Are There Alternatives to an Extraction?
The field of orthodontics provides multiple solutions for correcting similar problems, which is always good news when you are pondering a difficult decision. Make sure that you understand all of your options to find the one that works best for you. For instance, palatial expanders can be used to create more space for your teeth by widening your smile rather than making it smaller. This is often the method of choice for those who are concerned about their appearance since it can also make your profile more aesthetically pleasing.
You can also choose to begin your orthodontic treatment without removing healthy teeth. Often, braces can be used to create more space in your mouth, and this option buys you more time to think about what you prefer. While you may still need to have a tooth removed later, seeing the reason why could give you more confidence.
At Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics, we understand how important it is to love how you look. Always reach out to us with your questions so that we can help you understand the long-term impact of all of your options for treatment.
Contact Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics
Dr. Jasmine Gorton, Dr. Bill Schmohl and Dr. Sona Bekmezian are the team behind the “WOW Smile” that Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics has become known for. As a Top 1% Provider (Aligntech) and #1 Marin Country Orthodontic practice, Drs. Gorton, Schmohl and Bekmezian focus on so much more than just your appearance goals. They bring to bear the very latest in cutting-edge orthodontic treatment in identifying how to deliver optimal oral health and a white, straight smile with the least treatment time and cost.
All three orthodontists are board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. As a team, they are each and all together innovators who are active on the front lines of research, as well as teaching and mentoring the next generation of orthodontic practitioners and giving back to the community.
In Marin County, Calif., you can visit Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics to have an examination and treatment from these professionals:
• Dr. Jasmine Gorton
• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jeff Nichelini
An orthodontist will discuss orthodontic options with you to repair problems such as crowded teeth, crossbites or overbites. Depending on your malocclusions, you can wear one of these devices:
• Retainers
• Invisalign
• WildSmiles
• Braces with colors
• Traditional or Damon Clear
We also offer WowSmiles and Acceledent options to our orthodontic patients. Schedule an appointmentby calling 415-459-8006 today.
Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics
900 Larkspur Landing Circle,Suite 200 Larkspur CA 94939 Tel: (415)-459-8006