BEFORE TREATMENT - Will Teeth Need to be Removed?
On occasion, teeth may need to be extracted as part of your orthodontic treatment. Dr. Clarke will recommend removal only if it improves your prospects for successful treatment. Sometimes it may be necessary to remove certain teeth to assure sufficient space for the remaining teeth, to establish a proper “bite”, or to permit the desirable changes in facial appearance. The spaces caused by these extractions are closed during the orthodontic treatment.
Removal of Wisdom Teeth is often required. When the jaw is not large enough to accommodate these teeth, they will not come in properly and complications can develop. Dr. Clarke will provide guidance whether you are a candidate for wisdom teeth extraction. The bottom line is that wisdom teeth most often do not fit well in our mouths and they can cause other teeth to move, or can lead to gum disease or bone problems.
Orthodontic treatment can correct your “bite” problems, but it cannot reposition your jaws. Corrective jaw surgery may be required if the following conditions are present:
- difficulty in chewing or swallowing
- speech problems
- chronic jaw pain
- excessive wearing of teeth
- facial injury or birth defects
- unbalanced facial appearance
- receding chin or protruding jaw
- “open bite” (a space remains between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed)
- chronic mouth breathing with dry mouth
- sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping)
A complete evaluation of your condition through x-rays, photos, facial measurements, and dental impressions will help in determining if surgery is required, and what the best course of treatment will be. If the combination of surgery with orthodontics is necessary to produce the best result, Dr. Clarke will make the diagnostic recommendations and treatment plan in conjunction with an oral surgeon.
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Before Treatment
