All your teeth are essential for a healthy functional smile, so why would your dentist or orthodontist recommend having a tooth extraction in Marietta, OH? Although each tooth is important, sometimes there just isn’t enough room in your mouth to accommodate all of them. If your teeth are larger than average or you have small dental arches, you might have significant alignment issues, which can harm the health and function of your smile. To ensure your long-term oral health and to align your teeth, you might need to see an oral surgeon before beginning your orthodontic treatment.
Why are Teeth Removed for Orthodontics?
The alignment of your teeth is important for more than just a beautiful smile. Their positioning also affects your oral health and functions. If your teeth aren’t in their correct positions, it can create several challenges, like tooth decay, gum disease, and jaw pain, which are especially common with overcrowded or rotated teeth.
If they overlap or are bunched together, it’s often caused by insufficient space in the dental arches for the size of the teeth. Removing teeth provides more room to fix your bite and alignment. About 20% to 25% of patients require the extraction of permanent teeth before starting their orthodontic treatment.
Which Teeth are Removed?
The teeth that are removed varies depending on your specific treatment plan; however, the first bicuspids are often extracted. They are the teeth right behind the cuspid or eyeteeth and the molars. In some instances, the premolars can be extracted without causing any complications with aesthetics or function. Some plans may recommend a combination of teeth are removed to ensure the best results.
Why Do I Need to See an Oral Surgeon?
No matter which ones are removed, your bone will need to be preserved to successfully move your teeth, which is why it’s often best to see an oral surgeon for the procedure. Extracting a tooth leaves an empty socket which is like an unfilled ice cream cone. As a result, it can collapse without the right precautions.
Modern surgical techniques allow the bone mass and volume of the extraction sockets to be maintained through bone grafting. A small amount of donor material is placed into the empty socket for the body to build new bone over. Although bone grafting can be necessary after an extraction, it isn’t always required.
Your oral surgeon will play a crucial role in the planning of your tooth movements by carefully extracting the selected teeth and ensuring a healthy foundation for your straight smile.
Invest in a Beautiful Smile
Don’t let tooth extractions prevent you from achieving straight teeth. Your orthodontist and oral surgeon will create the personalized plan you need to invest in your smile.
About Dr. Jeff Lee
Dr. Lee earned his dental degree at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He continued his training to focus on oral and maxillofacial surgery. He provides surgical tooth extractions to help patients achieve their best smiles. If you need to have teeth removed for your orthodontic treatment, contact our office today to schedule your consultation.